HYT reinterpret the classic moonphase with their futuristic Moon Runner Supernova Blue
Zach BlassWatchmaking is a traditional art form, and its heritage often generates a strong connection between client and manufacturer. But we’re in the 21st century now, so to only create designs that are evocative of what we have traditionally seen over the last century would be a disservice. We need pioneers to revisit what it means to be a wristwatch, and innovate the manner in which a watch relays the time and other indications to its wearer. Since their inception, HYT has done just that thanks to their patented mecafludic system. While other manufactures rely on solely hands or discs to convey information, HYT developed a means of utilizing fluid to show the time – carving out their own unique lane in what can be an oversaturated space in regard to design.
Being so distinct, however, can be polarizing, and to say HYT has not had the easiest time finding an audience for their unique creations would be an understatement. In fact, HYT filed for bankruptcy last year after being unable to raise necessary capital. While it was evident that not everyone was willing and ready to score one of their watches at retail, it was disheartening for watch lovers to see HYT struggle. The quantity of purchases may not have been where they needed to be, but the respect towards the brand for striving to do something different horoligcally speaking was certainly there. Fortunately, the brand is back in action, now under the helm of CEO and creative director Davide Cerrato who has ample experience in the industry – starting his career with Panerai, helming Tudor and ushering in the era of the Black Bay line, and integrating Minerva into Montblanc and elevating their offerings. Now his talents lie with HYT, and with the new HYT Moon Runner Supernova Blue we can already see HYT heading in a stronger direction.
HYT watches are notoriously on the larger size, a factor which contributed to the market being intimidated by their pieces. Understandably, with all the innovative technology packed into the pieces, it is not feasible to realise mecafluidic creations in vintage compact sizes. The new HYT Supernova Blue Moon Runner, while still carrying a larger 48mm diameter, wears very compact for its size at 52.3mm lug-to-lug. That being said, the 50 metre water-resistant sandblasted titanium case, with grey and blue coatings, comes in at 21.8mm in thickness, so this is by no means your traditional slide under the cuff timepiece. But the highly domed sapphire crystal which is a large contributor of its thickness, is not boxed. The sloped conical nature of the glass slants down really well into the design of the case. And, again, it is not meant to be traditional.
That being said, with the presence of Davide Cerrato we are beginning to see tradition inform HYT design. We see this externally through a conventional circle resting within an angular and scalloped cage, with grilled detailing for a heightened sci-fi vibe. Also, as we look beneath the crystal at the dial, a calendar and moonphase is a classic combo. But Cerrato has updated these classic indications to also reflect HYT’s forward-thinking and sculptural DNA – tradition informing innovation. Working from the outboard in, you have a grilled outer ring with applied and highly three-dimensional Arabic numerals. These hour numerals are tied to the mecafluidic indication. Via a mastery of pressure, the fluidic retrograde hours is conveyed by the position of the blue fluid within the capillary tube. The minutes, however, are more traditionally indicated the next ring in – with a futuristic railroad-style track that corresponds to the large and stemless arrow hand.
Moving another step inward, we have two black titanium discs – the outer conveying the 31 calendar days and the inner the calendar month. At 6′, a straight index is positioned, revealing the date and month as the indications align with it. At its centre is one of the most sculptural elements of the piece, a large three-dimensional moonphase indicator. The blue moon is not merely a ploy to play towards a favourable colour option in the marketplace either. HYT explains its significance: “Blue is clearly not the most frequent colour in lunar observation. It is in fact the rarest colour. While ‘blue moons’ certainly exist, astronomers use this term to refer to an ‘additional’ full moon when this rare astronomical phenomenon occurs, giving 13 full moons in a year instead of 12.” The moon, both blue and black in colour rotates, the circular blue aperture, held by a black bridge spanning down from 12′, framing the current phase of the moon.
Known for outer-space vibes, dubbed the UFO watchmaker by some, Ceratto and HYT have aptly utilized an abundance of SuperLuminova®. All indications are luminous, including the hour indicators, minutes hand and indicators, the day, date, and moonphase indications, and even the ring beneath the mecafluid as well. The in-house calibre 601-MO, designed in collaboration with celebrated watchmaker Eric Coudray, is a 28,800 vph manually wound calibre that offers a weekend-proof 72 hours of power reserve. This highly technical calibre manages the intricate functionality of the mecafluid and its movement through the capillary ring. HYT explains: “In practice, once the lever is activated, the movement drives against a bellow allowing the uninterrupted flow of fluids for twelve hours. When it reaches 6 o’clock, the two liquids return to their initial position, giving a retrograde reading of the next six hours. It should also be noted that during the retrograde backflow, the liquids are completely disconnected from the mechanism. The fluidic system itself regulates the return to the initial position in a fascinating way.”
The result is something completely different – an intriguing means of indicating time, that is both technically and aesthetically fascinating .
HYT Moon Runner Supernova Blue pricing and availability:
The HYT Moon Runner Supernova Blue is available now as a limited edition of 27 pieces. Price: CHF 120,000
| Brand | HYT |
| Model | Moon Runner Supernova Blue |
| Case Material | Grey and blue coated sandblasted titanium |
| Case Dimensions | 48mm x 21.8mm x 52.3mm |
| Water-Resistance | 50m |
| Dial | Blue, grey, and black mecafluidic dial |
| Strap | Black and blue rubber strap with black-coated titanium buckle |
| Movement | In-house calibre 601-MO |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, date, month, moonphase |
| Availability | Now, Limited Edition of 27 pcs. |
| Price | CHF 120,000 |