HYT launches their new S1 – “S” for Sport with a pre-launch release of a special Japan Limited Edition of only 8 pieces.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

New: HYT S1 Titanium Japan Limited Edition

The HYT S1 Titanium Japan Limited Edition Ref. H03300-A has a suggested retail price of CHF 58,000 excluding taxes. Limited Edition of 8 pieces.

Commentary

Interesting pre-release by HYT, this novelty is the pre-launch reveal of a special titanium version known as the Japan Limited Edition. We are not sure why the nomenclature is as such, as nowhere in the media release does it say that the model is intended for the Japanese market. The price is quoted in Swiss Francs, and every bit of the release suggests that it will be available worldwide. Though, of course as a limited edition of only 8 pieces, distribution will be very restricted.

The new model is the S1, with the moniker S for Sport. And what HYT has done is to package their hydromechanical technology into a 45mm titanium case. The case has rugged faceted edges, and certainly looks like a chiseled athlete. The titanium case features a matte satin finish, enhancing the impression of strength and power. Damn handsome watch!

The Cal 501-CM movement is showcased by the open worked dial, baring all on the dial side, as well as through the sapphire case back. Of particular note is the dual bellows which is the calling card of the HYT hydromechanical system. Movement finishing looks to be haute horlogerie levels, which HYT has always achieved.

However, other than the visual aspects which certainly do convey the sportiness of the S1, the HYT literature does not say if the movement is ruggedised for use in sports activities. The same hour display using their unique hydro capillary tubes are used, and is not particularly convincing in rough use.

The water resistance of only 50m, also suggests that this is more a dressy watch than a sports one. The standard set by the AP Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus has been 120m, and is generally regarded as a target water resistance rating for luxury sports watches. The HYT falls short of this, though this does not mean that it is not useful as a sporty watch. But suggests that the intentions are more as a urban tool like watch than one to be donned for sports.

Release details

The S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » is a striking first in a forthcoming series of sports watches made by HYT, the inventors of the hydromechanical wristwatch. As you probably guessed, the “S” stands for “Sport.” And the watch sure does live up to that name. The watch just oozes performance, power, and precision. Just like a top athlete, really. 

The S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » confidently presents itself with an ergonomic 45mm titanium case defined by its chiseled looks and is softened by a subtle satin finish. The hydromechanical caliber 501-CM takes center stage on the new S1’s open-worked dial. Its hypnotic presence won’t allow you to look away.

The S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » is a limited edition defined by intriguing paradoxes. It mixes and matches an introverted, softly shimmering silver colorway with edgy, angular lines and an outrageously exuberant high-tech mechanical movement on display for all to see. The watch is the monochromatic forerunner of a sports watch collection on the horizon, and it tells of HYT’s strong ambitions for the future. It’s also a statement. The new timepiece shows HYT’s enduring capabilities to combine fine craftsmanship, technological innovations, and progressive design while ensuring optimum wrist comfort. 

The open-worked design allows a clear view of the watch’s finely finished “engine” and emphasizes the S1’s sporty, tuned, lightweight nature. As expected from an HYT creation, the attention to detail is phenomenal. The flange’s miniature honeycomb structure, which also holds the Arabic numerals that mark the hours, is fully in theme with the lightweight sports theme. 

The S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » is an excellent example of technical uniqueness, boundary-pushing design, and a joy to wear. It combines a well-proportioned and ergonomically shaped case and a thought-through strap design. The lightweight silver and black-coated titanium case measures 45.30 × 17.20mm and has a case length of 46.30mm. The case, matched to an angularly positioned strap, ensures a stable and comfortable position on almost any wrist. And speaking of straps, the S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » comes with a light gray Velcro strap with a loop buckle and a pin buckle-equipped black rubber strap. Both blend in perfectly with the lines of the case and offer a seamlessly integrated, streamlined look. By the way, the ingenious quick-release, strap-change system makes changing between them a matter of seconds. As expected from a sports watch, the S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » is water-resistant to 50 meters.

With its two small bellows and finely sandblasted and satin-finished movement parts, the movement’s unique looks might be disruptive even after 12 years – the first hydromechanical HYT creation burst onto the watch scene in 2012. However, the caliber 501-CM’s performance inspires confidence. Years of development and fine-tuning have resulted in a highly reliable movement that has no equal. The caliber 501-CM combines traditional and contemporary qualities most fascinatingly. The movement’s traditional characteristics include a Haute Horlogerie level finishing of all the individual parts and a mainspring you need to wind by turning the titanium crown between 2 and 3 o’clock. When you do, it will move the central minutes hand, the small seconds in a sub dial between 9 and 10 o’clock, and the small hand of the power reserve indicator, which is placed in line with the crown. The hands do their respective jobs dressed in dark gray and white. With their distinctly contemporary look, the satin-finished hands received a touch of white SLN for optimum readability in dark conditions.

The mechanical movement also transfers energy to animate the display of retrograde fluidic hours. Although the ground-breaking, 352-part caliber with a beat rate of 28,000 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and a power reserve of 72 hours is a fully evolved, fool-proof movement, it’s also unique. Its exotic looks never cease to amaze, and so does the technology. For instance, the prominently placed pair of small bellows are made of an alloy with walls just one-quarter the thickness of a human hair that is 10,000 times more watertight than a traditional dive watch. The uniqueness of the two bellows is only rivaled by the very fine glass capillary tube connecting them. In the S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » black fluid marks the hours and perfectly matches the watch’s monochromatic attire. 

The open-worked S1 Titanium « Japan Limited Edition » is a one-of-a-kind sports watch with an open-worked design that reveals its hydromechanical ingenuity and power and accentuates its intricate design. The first S1 Titanium of its kind is a limited edition. Still, the upcoming S1 collection will share all the elements that make this debut watch stand out: ground-breaking watchmaking fueled by creative inventions and uncompromising innovation that’s astonishingly comfortable on the wrist.

Model S1 Titanium Japan Limited Edition Specifications

Reference: H03300-A Limited Edition: 8 PIECES  Caseback Engraving: S1 43 Case – Silver and black coated satin finished titanium – Titanium crown – Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating Dial – Anthracite DLC & Rhodium plated brass – Black DLC plated appliques, white decals, SLN White C1 / WL – Black liquid inside borosilicate capillary tube – Water-resistant 50 m Movement – Ref.: 501-CM (352 pieces) – Type: Mechanical – Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz) – Jewels: 41 – Winding: Manual – Power reserve:  72 h – Finishing: Finely sand-blasted and satin-finished – Coating: Silver coating Functions – Fluidic retrograde hours – Central minutes hand – Power reserve hand Hands – Black gold satin-finished minutes hand, white SLN – Black gold satin-finished seconds hand, white SLN – Black gold satin-finished power reserve hand, white SLN Straps – Black rubber strap – Galaxy Tec Silver Velcro strap Clasp – Buckle in titanium – Satin & sand-blasted finishes Dimensions – Width: 45,30 mm – Length: 46,30 mm – Thickness: 17,20 mm