HydroZxZInferno Compared to most of the high-end machines I've seen - even the Richard Millles that we've had - this is like alien tech. Very original, very, very cool. Best, Tim
Had the chance to see this watch in the flesh a few weeks back before this review (great review btw). Read about it online before and thought that it is a very interesting watch and advanced in terms of innovation and technology. In the flesh, however, it really looks like a toy watch - very underwhelming. Then I looked at the price tag and walked away. I could never afford this watch. And even if I could, I will never buy it.
Ryan Thong Hi Ryan, thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about the HYT. My feelings are conflicted. On the one hand, I truly admire the original creative effort that conceived and realized the hydro-mechanical system. It's one of the few alternative time interfaces that really moves the needle and breaks away from the independent horology scene's endless iterations of jump hours, digital displays, abstractions, and wandering hours. Technically, it's a tour de force, and it's well-finished. Finally, I met the folks behind the brand at Timecrafters 2014 in NYC, and they're nice people with sincere enthusiasm for the product. On the other hand, it's a huge bombastic sports watch, and that's not my style. I wouldn't wear something that looks like a cross between a Stirling engine and a fruit juice dispenser. I prefer more traditional styles. For some, this HYT H1 will stun and delight in every respect, and I'm happy that the watch world offers an option to suit each collector's preference. Price is another matter, and also very much a matter of personal priorities. Given the amount of R&D and specialized assembly invested in each piece, I think the price is, in fact quite fair. Given fellow independent MB&F's roughly $31,000 ask for the entirely conventional (Sellita-powered!) HMX, $60,000 for a completely original and technically exotic HYT 101 movement seems reasonable. Compared to the latest Urwerk UR-105TA variants (~$70,000), the more technically challenging HYT H1 still seems reasonable. The bottom line is that all will sell for dramatically less pre-owned a year later, and that is the only way I would consider buying this class of watch. The viability of HYT and other brands of its ilk are too new to project five, ten, or fifteen years into the future. Best, Tim
Mike Howard Hi Mike, I totally understand. This is a love/hate look. HYT's business plan is built upon finding 450-550 people per year who love the look enough to make it their own. Personally, I find the idea engaging, the execution ingenious, the finish superb, and the look less to my taste. But then again, I routinely wear a GT-size Reverso and a 34mm Master Ultra Thin, so like you, I'm not HYT's target customer. Best, Tim
I think it's beautiful for its technology and the arrangement of it.
Wow these kinda watches are the real boundary-pushing timepieces, never actually seen one in real life which is very rare for me!
HydroZxZInferno Compared to most of the high-end machines I've seen - even the Richard Millles that we've had - this is like alien tech. Very original, very, very cool.
Best,
Tim
Had the chance to see this watch in the flesh a few weeks back before this review (great review btw).
Read about it online before and thought that it is a very interesting watch and advanced in terms of innovation and technology. In the flesh, however, it really looks like a toy watch - very underwhelming. Then I looked at the price tag and walked away. I could never afford this watch. And even if I could, I will never buy it.
Ryan Thong Hi Ryan, thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about the HYT. My feelings are conflicted. On the one hand, I truly admire the original creative effort that conceived and realized the hydro-mechanical system. It's one of the few alternative time interfaces that really moves the needle and breaks away from the independent horology scene's endless iterations of jump hours, digital displays, abstractions, and wandering hours. Technically, it's a tour de force, and it's well-finished. Finally, I met the folks behind the brand at Timecrafters 2014 in NYC, and they're nice people with sincere enthusiasm for the product.
On the other hand, it's a huge bombastic sports watch, and that's not my style. I wouldn't wear something that looks like a cross between a Stirling engine and a fruit juice dispenser. I prefer more traditional styles. For some, this HYT H1 will stun and delight in every respect, and I'm happy that the watch world offers an option to suit each collector's preference.
Price is another matter, and also very much a matter of personal priorities. Given the amount of R&D and specialized assembly invested in each piece, I think the price is, in fact quite fair. Given fellow independent MB&F's roughly $31,000 ask for the entirely conventional (Sellita-powered!) HMX, $60,000 for a completely original and technically exotic HYT 101 movement seems reasonable. Compared to the latest Urwerk UR-105TA variants (~$70,000), the more technically challenging HYT H1 still seems reasonable. The bottom line is that all will sell for dramatically less pre-owned a year later, and that is the only way I would consider buying this class of watch. The viability of HYT and other brands of its ilk are too new to project five, ten, or fifteen years into the future.
Best,
Tim
It's hideous
Mike Howard Hi Mike, I totally understand. This is a love/hate look. HYT's business plan is built upon finding 450-550 people per year who love the look enough to make it their own. Personally, I find the idea engaging, the execution ingenious, the finish superb, and the look less to my taste. But then again, I routinely wear a GT-size Reverso and a 34mm Master Ultra Thin, so like you, I'm not HYT's target customer.
Best,
Tim