HYT Unveils a Third Alinghi Edition – Time for H1 to Celebrate the Yacht Racing Team

No need to present HYT and their fluidic watches anymore. They are unique, bold and mechanically fascinating. What is probably less known is the link between the watchmaker and the sea… Indeed, HYT has just unveiled a third limited watch in the frame of their partnership with Alinghi Yacht Racing Team. After the H4 and the H2, HYT has elected its signature H1 model to celebrate the iconic Swiss Sailing Team founded by Ernesto Bertarelli, the first European Syndicate to win the America’s cup.

The 2016 HYT H2 Alinghi (left – photo by Watchonista) and the 2015 HYT H4 Alinghi (right)

The new HYT H1 Alinghi clearly is in the same vein than the two previous editions. Same colour codes, same resistance and sportiness concept… The case of the HYT H1 Alinghi is fashioned out of light-weight, ultra-strong titanium (for the central container) and forged carbon (for the horns and crown protection device) with brushed, micro-blasted and satin finishes. The dark black and grey colours give the new limited edition watch a stealth, technical yet elegant style. The discreet red touches for the minute hands and power reserve indicator are meant to enhance legibility. The Alinghi logo is discreetly engraved at 6 o’clock, not dressing up too much the partnership – overall a toned-down option versus the H4 Alinghi, which we think is a good thing.

The HYT H1 Alinghi, just like its non-limited siblings, features high-tech bellows powered by a mechanical movement to propel fluid into a capillary to portray time in a linear fashion. The capillary contains two liquids separated by a meniscus. For this Alinghi edition, the first one in black shows the time. The second one translucent works in opposition to the black liquid. When the black liquid gets to 6 pm, it switches to retrograde mode, flowing back to its original position. To enhance legibility in the dark, HYT has set it on a channel filled with luminescent material. At night, the translucent part of the capillary reflects the light, enabling the time display to be read.

On this HYT H1 Alinghi, the small-second is shown at 9.30 in a shape of a gennaker furler. The power-reserve indicator at 02:30 comes in a shape of a winch. Rigging crosses the lower part of the face of the watch held in place via eyelets on the flange. Evident of the sailing inspiration, these elements blend well with the stealth, modern design of the piece and enhance the technical feel.

Like for all H1, the mechanical base movement controlling the micro-fluidic module is manual wound. Developed with Chronode, it operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It can store up to 65h of energy. Its look and decoration remain rather classical, yet nicely executed.

The HYT 1 Alinghi comes on a grey, rugged, ultra-resistant reinforced fabric strap secured with a titanium folding buckle. For more information about HYT watches, please visit www.hytwatches.com.

Technical specifications – HYT H1 Alinghi

• Case: 48.8 mm x 17.9 mm – titanium and forged carbon – sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective coating – water resistant to 30m.
• Movement: mechanical with manual winding – 65h power reserve – 28’800 vibrations/h – 35 jewels – fluidic hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indication.
• Strap: reinforced fabric strap with titanium folding buckle.
• Price: 65,000 CHF
• Reference: 148-TC-09-NF-RC
• Limited edition of 20 pieces