HYT Pares Down to the Basics with the New T1 Collection

HYT has always been a brand of oversized watches, often with over-the-top designs as well. Launched initially in 2012, they had a bumpy road, bumpier than most brands during those years. This is all due to the brands’ dedication to indicating time with fluids.

While an incredibly novel idea and very well executed by HYT, this technology requires quite some space, meaning you can’t make smaller watches.

HYT fluid technology

It is a bit form-follows-technology, but HYT has always used it to its advantage by highlighting the unique aspects of the mechanical fluid time display or by adding complications in a highly (visually) impactful way. Great watches that always draw attention and which are a lot of fun to write about, but you also need to sell them.

With their fluid technology, HYT has created a powerful niche, but the size of the watches naturally limited its potential clientele: even those who wanted one and could afford it might not have bought one because they are simply too large for their wrist.

Yellow HYT Colorblock H1 on the wrist

Yellow HYT Colorblock H1 on the wrist

Less of a good thing is actually more

While HYT might have had a bumpy road throughout its existence, it has always had people who kept believing in it and fine-tuned its offerings to make the most out of the market. It’s a bit like Aston Martin which also struggled for most of its existence, all while producing some pretty cool cars.

HYT Moon Runner Red Magma

HYT has put its finger on the market pulse again and decided to go in two directions. With the Conical Tourbillon and Moon Runner, they continue to make oversized, highly complex statement pieces, with a lack of a better word. Watches that are like an amusement park ride for the wrist, with almost too much to look at, but also highly addictive.

HYT T1 Titanium Slate on the wrist

On the entirely other side of the spectrum is now the T1 series, as sober as a HYT has ever been before, as well as smaller.

HYT T1 5N Gold Titanium Deep Blue

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Color, color, color

HYT is definitely feeling good about the T1, because they are offering it in four different versions. Three of them feature a titanium case, and one is in gold.

HYT T1 Titanium Slate on the wrist

All share the same dimensions, with a width of 45.30mm and a length of 46.30mm. That still sounds enormous, but the T1 lacks lugs, meaning that the watch wears more like a 43mm on the wrist.

The thickness is also kept in check, measuring 17.20mm. As the lack of lugs makes the strap immediately hug down your wrist, the wearing comfort is surprisingly good. To increase the versatility of the T1, HYT delivers it standard with two straps that can be switched by the press of a button. Each of the straps comes with its own buckle, so there is really no need for tools.

A wide variety of additional straps is also available for purchase.

HYT T1 Titanium Silver

All the dials feature a sunburst pattern, a single hand that indicates the minutes, the fluid time system that indicates the hours, and a small power reserve indicator placed off-center and looks pleasantly quirky on the clean and balanced dial.

HYT T1 Titanium Salmon

HYT nailed the color combinations of each version. The salmon-colored dial shines in the titanium case and uses a black liquid to tell the hours. Quite different is the silver-dialed version with bright blue fluid taking center stage, much in the same way as it does in the anthracite version.

HYT T1 Titanium Silver

The gold version has the most colors going for it, but all in a very harmonious way. The 5N red gold case combines beautifully with the ocean blue dial, but there is also a bit of contrast with the black fluid in the capillary. It all works great together.

HYT T1 5N Gold Titanium Deep Blue

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The HYT T1 as a platform

While the T1 is now a time-only with a power reserve indicator, it can also be seen as a platform for more. The clean look and closed dial also offer opportunities for the future, perhaps calendar functions or even a more traditional moon phase. This will expand the universe of HYT more into the common territory, but because it boasts the liquid time display, it will never be ordinary.

Movement visible through the display back of the HYT T1

As the view through the caseback clearly shows, the bellows that pump the liquids through the capillary is a sight no other brand can offer, HYT still has the advantage.

The movement inside the T1 is also a platform, as HYT didn’t design a new one. Caliber 501-CM also powered the Hastroid, which looked entirely different, as it lacked a dial. The movement is a powerhouse, developed by a powerhouse: behind its creation is the TEC Group in collaboration with Eric Coudray. This legendary watchmaker is best known for his work developing complex multi-axis tourbillons for brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Purnell, and MB&F.

Caliber 501-CM consists of 352 components that are all nicely finished, and it beats at at 4 Hz/ 28,800 VpH. The power reserve is 72 hours, which is very generous, especially given the fact that the movement isn’t a traditional one and has to move the bellows as well.

HYT T1 5N Gold Titanium Deep Blue

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As a watch journalist with a passion for dress watches, HYT has always been an interesting brand for me to write about, but never one I could see myself owning. The T1 has changed that.

HYT T1 Titanium Slate on the wrist

While still a substantial watch, it is not that wild on the wrist. The design language is toned down, as are the overall dimensions, but what has remained is HYT ace in the hole, the fluid time display. That remains a mesmerizing aspect of the watch and in the T1, it is at its most wearable.

HYT T1 5N Gold Titanium Deep Blue

Another aspect that draws me more to the T1 than to its siblings is that I expect this watch to age nicely. While it is still a bit off the beaten track, its configuration, execution, and superb color combinations have a more classic character ensuring that this HYT will keep your attention longer and will most likely age more gracefully.

For more information, please visit www.hytwatches.com/en/T1/col_T1.html

Quick Facts HYT T1
Case: Titanium or 5N 18K red gold, 45.30mm width x 46.30mm length, 17.20mm thick, 50-meter water resistant

Movement: Caliber 501-CM, manual wind, 72-hour power reserve, 41 jewels, 28,800 VpH/4Hz
Functions: retrograde fluidic hours, central minutes hand, power reserve indicator
Water resistance: 50 meters

Retail Price: CHF 48,800 in titanium, CHF 64,000 in 18k gold

You might also enjoy:

HYT H2O reviewed by Tim Mosso: It looks Huge, but it merely wears Big

HYT Moon Runner: A Moon Phase Straight Outta Cyberpunk

HYT Conical Tourbillon Black Eklipse: A Potent Hallucinating Horological Trip

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