HYT goes for a sportier look with the S1 Series, but doing so in their signature style
Borna Bošnjak- HYT’s unique approach to watchmaking goes back to its roots, with open dials and the classic fluidic hours complication.
- The cases are big and brawny, but following the sleeker design of the recent T1 Series.
- The S1 Series brings back the small seconds and power reserve sub-dials, retailing at CHF 58,000.
They may claim it all they want, but very few watchmaking brands offer time-telling technology that is actually unique. Some may say that it comes down to the fact that we’ve explored the majority of possibilities in the few hundred years watches have been a thing, but I’m not sure I’d agree with that sentiment, especially not with brands like HYT around. Their signature, bellows-powered fluidic hours complication was always going to be difficult to produce reliably and commercially due to the high cost and complexity – we’ve seen that all too well with the numerous changes in leadership of the brand over the years – but I’ve got nothing but respect for the brand. More than ten years after their founding, and despite being so stubborn about their niche product, HYT is still around, and the new S1 Series represents the next step in their journey.
In a convoluted way, it’s a back-to-basics for HYT, as the T1 Series that launched in 2024 was the first that didn’t fully show off the movement dial-side. With only a chapter ring for the hours and minutes, the dial opening is dominated by the bellows that take up most of its lower portion, while the upper displays the going train. The two floating sub-dials are for the running seconds and power reserve, with highlights matching the fluid in the capillary tube for the retrograde hours.
Watch movements and should normally be kept as far away from each other as possible, but HYT adopts their confluence with open arms. The latest in the fluidic hours tech is the 501-CM, an Eric Coudray design, following HYT’s precious work with the likes of Chronode and Renaud & Papi. The manually wound calibre beats at 4Hz, and has a 72-hour power reserve, with some pleasant, but not overt finishing, the main highlight being the thin anglage of the bridges.
Though the S1 Series is being presented as an entirely new collection (preceded by an eight-piece, Japan-only LE), the case is shared with the T1. That means an integrated rubber or fabric Velcro strap that is moulded to the octagonal case, also featuring a handy quick-release system. Available in either DLC-coated titanium or media-blasted stainless steel, measuring in at 45.3mm across, 46.3mm lug-to-lug, and 17.2mm in height. That’s true to form for HYT, but it doesn’t just come down for their designers’ preferences for bigger sizes, but it’s also simply a limitation of such a unique, complex movement.
HYT S1 Series pricing and availability
The HYT S1 Series is now available, with three models joining the collection. Price: CHF 58,000
| Brand | HYT |
| Model | S1 Series |
| Reference | H03418-A H03419-A H03420-A |
| Case Dimensions | 45.3mm (D) x 17.2mm (T) x 46.3mm (LTL) |
| Case material | DLC titanium Silver and black-coated titanium |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Open; red, green or blue liquid inside borosilicate capillary tube |
| Straps | Black rubber strap, titanium pin buckle Black or light grey Velcro strap |
| Movement | 501-CM, Eric Coudray design, manual winding |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Fluidic retrograde hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | CHF 58,000 |