HYT and Preciflex Watch Review
Angus Davies takes a look behind the scenes of HYT and Preciflex. This latter company is responsible for the fluids within HYT’s distinctive timepieces. During his time with the company’s Co-Founder, Lucien Vouillamoz, Angus also gets ‘hands-on’ with the new HYT H1 Ghost.
HYT Watch
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending half a day with Lucien Vouillamoz, the ‘Co-Founder & Board Member’ of both HYT and Preciflex. While the former company may well be familiar to regular ESCAPEMENT readers, the latter organisation may be unknown to some horophiles.
Image – red liquid shown in capillary with bellows beneath
Preciflex is a sister company of HYT Watches and masters ‘micro-fluids’ which potentially have numerous applications, including use within the now famous HYT timepieces. The Swiss company, Preciflex, is highly innovative and employs several boffins armed with PhDs.
Image – Lucien Vouillamoz
Lucien Vouillamoz
During my time with Vouillamoz, I wanted to ask an array of questions relating to fluids and the know-how employed within an HYT timepiece. I have reviewed several HYT watches and yet, despite all of my research to date, I always find myself wanting to learn more. Indeed, I find these these timepieces fascinating, owing to the way they tread a unique path unknown to other watch companies.
In a former life, I co-owned a chemical factory hence I have some idea of the potential problems HYT and Preciflex have had to overcome to make their watches viable.
HYT and Preciflex – colours
In the beginning, HYT launched their first model with a fluorescent green fluid circumnavigating the dial within a capillary. Since this time, the company has launched models with red and blue transparent fluids. However, recently the company launched a fascinating opaque black within the brand’s Skull Bad Boy and H1 Ghost models. In order to facilitate the ease of read-off, white SuperlumiNova has been used behind the capillary on this latter model.
I know from my chemical company days that colours don’t behave in the same way. Consideration has to be given to the effects of UV-light, temperature and stability i.e. the colour should remain intact and not deteriorate with time. Most pertinently, the coloured, aqueous liquid has to remain non miscible and discrete from the colourless, oil based liquid. If the two liquids mix, the functionality of the timepiece is compromised.
It is for all of the above reasons that HYT cannot offer liquids in every colour without extensive research taking place beforehand. However, with four colours offered and an array of models, the Swiss watch brand has certainly not held back when it comes to innovation and now offers an impressive catalogue of watches.
HYT and Preciflex – temperature compensation
The liquids within the glass capillary encircling the dial area are subject to expansion and contraction. A few degrees rise in temperature would significantly alter the time indicated via the capillary and adversely affect accuracy.
Image – HYT Thermal Compensators
Therefore, each HYT model contains a temperature compensation device positioned within each bellows pump.
HYT and Preciflex – adhesion-free capillary
The potential adhesion of the liquids to the inner wall of the capillary could influence the accuracy of the timepiece. Vouillamoz explained that the inner wall of the capillary has a special coating applied which ensures neither the aqueous based coloured liquid or the colourless oil based liquid can stick to the internal surfaces of the capillary.
It seems Vouillamoz and his colleagues have covered every potential pitfall.
HYT and Preciflex – many secrets
There are clearly many secrets at HYT and Preciflex which remain untold. I enquired about one area which elicited a smile on Vouillamoz’s face and although my question was answered I was told I had to promise to keep it to myself. The intellectual property at HYT and Preciflex is colossal and there are numerous patents in place to ensure future applications of the know-how remain firmly in the hands of Vouillamoz and his fellow shareholders.
Image – HYT Bellows pumps used in H1 models
HYT continues to seduce
While Preciflex develops the fluids for HYT, the watchmaking expertise at HYT also proves incredibly impressive. The hand-wound exclusive HYT calibre, found within the H1 models, is beautifully executed with hand-bevelled bridges which are adorned with Côtes de Genève motif.
The rhodium-plated bellows draw on knowledge from the space industry. The bridges and main plate are treated with anthracite grey NAC.
As if I was not already impressed enough by the incredible competence of HYT and Preciflex, Vouillamoz pulled out his final party trick, a gorgeous H1 Ghost for my delectation. I was seduced. I have reviewed several H1 models and had previously seen images of the H1 Ghost, however, nothing could prepare me for the jaw-dropping spectacle of seeing this watch in all its glory. Indeed, when placed upon my wrist it looked stunning.
HYT H1 Ghost
The functions of the H1 Ghost are the same as those found on other HYT H1 models, such as the HYT H1 Iceberg, namely minutes, seconds and power reserve indicator. However, the presentation of each indication is different and, in my opinion, more successful as they all prove easier to read.
The black on white hour display with the white hour track featuring SuperlumiNova makes interpreting the hours incredibly simple.
The case is made of black DLC titanium, reinforcing the stealth-like quality of the timepiece.
This limited edition model, of which only 50 pieces will be produced, is my favourite timepiece to date from HYT. However, with an unrelenting new product development strategy, I doubt it will be the last HYT model to seduce me. Moreover, having spent time with Vouillamoz I would have no reservations in purchasing one of HYT’s unique timepiece with my own hard-earned cash.
Technical Specification
- Model: HYT H1 Ghost
- Ref: 148-DL-60-NF-RU
- Case: Black DLC titanium; diameter 48.80 mm; height 17.90 mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; power-reserve indicator.
- Movement: HYT Calibre 101 mechanical hand-wound movement exclusive to HYT; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 35 jewels; power reserve 65 hours
- Strap: Black rubber strap presented on a black DLC titanium pin buckle.
- Price: £49,000.00 (RRP as at 8.1.2017)
- Limited Edition: 50 pieces