Introducing the Lytt Labs Inception – Unconventional Meets Accessible

There’s some new kids on the block and they go by the name of Lytt Labs. Born from a meeting between a Frenchman, a Swissman and a Singaporean who together conceived the idea of crafting contemporary, urban styled watches that play with light through the use of original shapes, materials and patterns. Their timepieces eschew traditional codes and instead provide their own cool, offbeat take on mechanical watchmaking. Meet ‘Inception’, the first watch in the Lytt Labs collection, boasting an unusual time display framed in a bold pebble-shaped case.

The first thing to catch your eye with the new Lytt Labs inception is of course its unconventional time display. Powered by a Seiko automatic movement (Calibre NH35), time is indicated by 2 stationary anodized aluminum pointers hovering above 2 discs rotating clockwise. Hours are indicated at 10 o’clock and minutes at 2 while a cool rotating central disc indicates seconds.

The construction of this original take on the wandering hours and minutes time display gives the dial a lot of visual depth. Light plays off the different surfaces nicely: the metallic reflections of the technical ‘turbine’ outer dial contrasts with the ‘vinyl’ grooves of the center dial. Colored accents are introduced via the elements indicating time: the anodized hour/minute pointers and the central second hands.

In the Lytt Labs Inception opposites certainly seem to attract, with soft curves contrasting beautifully against powerful angles. The sleek design features no visible screw. The solid and well-built case is crafted in 316L steel with a composite inlay underlining its ‘pebble’ profile. And of course opening up a great potential for interesting color and material combinations….

The Inception comes in two case versions: gun metal finish (steel PVD) and steel. There is also a wide choice of colors on offer for the dial. The big, bold crown allows for easy operation and features a rubber gasket for perfect grip. On the faceted case back, each watch features a tiny plate bearing an individual QR code that allows every owner to log into the Lytt Labs website and register their watch.

The Lytt Labs Inception is worn on either a super soft/comfortable silicon or a leather strap with a sturdy double pin buckle shaped like a miniature version of the case. The straps are secured to the case via an insert complete with visible hexagonal screws. The Lytt Labs website also offers a large choice of straps.

We are always excited to see people doing different things. At US$749 (steel) and US$799 (gun metal), the Inception seems very good value for money for a cool and unconventional mechanical watch. The watch was tested with Laboratoire Dubois – a reference for quality in high-end watchmaking.

Lytt Labs are launching at Colette Paris and with their own on-line store before opening point of sales worldwide. More info on www.lyttlabs.com.

Specifications of the Lytt Labs Inception

• Case: 42mm x 42mm x 12.75mm – steel or gun metal finish PVD steel  – sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Seiko NH35 with automatic winding – 27.40mm x 5.32mm – 21’600 vibrations/h – 41h power reserve – 24 jewels – wandering hours and minutes, central seconds on a disc
• Strap: soft silicone or leather with double pin buckle
• Price: US$749 (steel)  or US$799 (Gun Metal)