Page 124 - Philippine Tatler (April 2019)

HYT

Swiss entrepreneur Patrick Berdoz’s
revolutionary idea to use liquid to indicate time
resulted in the launch of HYT in 2012. While
there have been water clocks for thousands of
years, no one had figured out how to create
one to fit on the wrist. So with three partners
(including a nuclear engineer), Berdoz worked
to establish HYT as the industry’s foremost
producer of hydromechanical timepieces. These
watches use two flexible reservoirs—one with
a coloured liquid; the other with a transparent

liquid—to power each day’s hours, minutes, and
seconds. The result is a breathtaking marriage
Out Of of science and technology, as depicted in HYT’s
new model, H0 Time is Precious. Made from
monocrystalline silicon that has been laser-cut
the Ordinary to achieve a state-of-the-art marquetry effect,

the dial has 63 mirrored facets, each slightly
tilted, which results in a shattered-glass design
Heritage watchmakers are symbols of luxury, but that reflects the movement of the wearer’s wrist.

it’s unconventional brands that are capturing my
attention, writes longtime collector Winston Koo

rands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron
Constantin dominate the headspace of watch
collectors thanks to their exceptional quality and
historical significance. These names have been
around for decades and, in some cases, centuries.

They have defined today’s industry, but that does not mean that they’re
the only purveyors of exceptional timepieces. From ancient sundials to
atomic clocks, society has a longstanding fascination for the means of
measuring time, and connoisseurs today are spoilt for choice when it
comes to adorning their wrist.
Despite this, it’s not uncommon for a connoisseur to feel that after a
few years their collection is starting to look the same. I have 18 years of
experience collecting watches, typically favouring mainstream maisons
that combine impressive craftsmanship with traditional design. Until last
year, that is, when my interest in independent watchmakers was piqued.
My newfound fondness for unconventional timepieces is rooted in
their creative design, which appeals to those who aren’t afraid to attract
attention. Heritage brands do, of course, routinely experiment with
complex technology, but these left-field watchmakers dare to go even
further, incorporating totally unexpected details into their unorthodox
structures that make great conversation starters.
I’ve recently added several of these eccentric brands to my collection.
In the process, I’ve met many of the impassioned artisans that work PHoTograPHY: moses ng
tirelessly behind the scenes for each house. This has given me a greater H0 Time Is Precious by HYT

appreciation for the detail that goes into these offbeat models. Producing
so much more than simple wristwatches, these names are worth noting.

124 philippine tatler april 2019
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