Wearables

HYT evolves its hydro-mechanical movement with the H3

HYT evolves its hydro-mechanical movement with the H3
HYT's latest hydro-mechanical watch presents time in straight lines (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
HYT's latest hydro-mechanical watch presents time in straight lines (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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HYT's H1 (left) and H2 (right) movements (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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HYT's H1 (left) and H2 (right) movements (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
HYT's latest hydro-mechanical watch presents time in straight lines (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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HYT's latest hydro-mechanical watch presents time in straight lines (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary
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Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary
Once six hours pass, the mechanism goes into retrograde, with the resulting energy being harvested to turn the four-faced dial below (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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Once six hours pass, the mechanism goes into retrograde, with the resulting energy being harvested to turn the four-faced dial below (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The case measures 62 mm by 41 mm and is 16 mm thick (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.63 in) (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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The case measures 62 mm by 41 mm and is 16 mm thick (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.63 in) (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The case measures 62 mm by 41 mm and is 16 mm thick (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.63 in)
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The case measures 62 mm by 41 mm and is 16 mm thick (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.63 in)
A power reserve indicator is located on the rear of the H3 watch (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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A power reserve indicator is located on the rear of the H3 watch (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
Not only does the new watch represent a significant evolution of HYT's standout mechanism, but it's also one of the most eye-catching timepieces at Baselworld 2015 (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
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Not only does the new watch represent a significant evolution of HYT's standout mechanism, but it's also one of the most eye-catching timepieces at Baselworld 2015 (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
View gallery - 9 images

The third iteration of HYT's eye-catching hydro-mechanical watch marks a significant development of the hybrid movement, switching from a circular to a linear portrayal of time. We got a chance to see the unusual new timepiece at Baselworld 2015.

HYT watches tell time through a combination of traditional watch movements and two bellows pushing colored liquid through a capillary. It's an imaginative and challenging approach that requires careful manipulation of traditional mechanics to produce the visually stunning and accurate timepieces.

The H1 movement made use of two vertically-placed bellows to push the colored liquid around a circular capillary surrounding the dial, while the second generation H2 setup switched to a V-shaped bellow configuration. The third version of the movement is notably different, pushing liquid along in a straight line while bringing in a rotating, four hour dial alongside an articulated arm for telling minutes.

Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary
Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary

Positioned in the top section of the case, the left bellow pushes the water-based, colored liquid along the straight capillary, while the bellow to the right compensates as the second, viscous-based translucent fluid retreats along the tube. Once six hours pass, the mechanism goes into retrograde, with the resulting energy being harvested to turn the four-faced dial below.

Minutes are handled in a similarly linear fashion, with the traditional watch movement driving an articulated hand along a straight 60 minute readout. The case, which is constructed from PVD-coated titanium and micro-blasted, satin-finished platinum, measures 62 mm by 41 mm and is 16 mm thick (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.63 in). It's water resistant to 30 m (98 ft) and, like the H1 and H2, features a power reserve indicator, this time located on the rear of the watch. The manual winding caliber has a 170 hour power reserve.

A power reserve indicator is located on the rear of the H3 watch (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
A power reserve indicator is located on the rear of the H3 watch (Photo: Chris Wood/Gizmag)

Not only does the new watch represent a significant evolution of HYT's standout mechanism, but it's also one of the most eye-catching timepieces at Baselworld 2015.

The H3 will be limited to 25 pieces when it launches in September 2015. You'll need deep pockets if you're interested in owning one, with the timepieces priced at US$290,000 each.

Source: HYT

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1 comment
1 comment
Abby Normal
yet another pricey shiny thing for Richie riches for whom life is too simple and is in need of an infusion of some extra complexity. something truly novel would have gone in the opposite direction of this rube-goldbergian techy art object. but to each his own.