HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché

The hypnotic HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché boldly integrates ancient and avantgarde artisanal techniques. This limited edition of just 8 timepieces combines antique concepts and craftsmanship with one-of-a-kind contemporary watchmaking.

The mesmerizing HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché tells a captivating story of historical watchmaking eclecticism. The watch’s unique hydromechanical movement is a marvel of groundbreaking technology, but its inspiration dates back centuries. Inspiration for HYT’s fluid telling of time came from ancient Egypt, where the oldest water clock was found dating back to circa 1417–1379 BC, where it was used during the reign of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. HYT took the original principle and turned it into technology for the wrist, and with the launch of the 8-piece limited edition HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché, it also introduces another traditional concept to a distinctly contemporary watch: artisanal guilloché, which appeared in watchmaking for the first time many centuries ago.

A modern-shaped wristwatch that combines a principle from ancient pharaonic times with a decorating technique that arguably has existed since classic times and made its way into watchmaking in the late 1700s might sound like a mishmash of influences that makes no sense. The HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché proves it can be done. Let’s start by looking at the large, radiant blue dial displaying a delicate, dynamic, and intricate pattern with intriguing origins. Like so many origin stories, not everything is 100% fact-checked. That can be frustrating, but it also adds to the mystery.

Take the French term ‘guilloché’ from the late 18th century. It is linked to an engineer named Guillot working in France. Although precise dates and the first name of Monsieur Guillot are unknown, it is said that this engineer invented and constructed a tool or turning machine to create guilloché patterns. A technique with the name of its inventor sounds plausible, and it is true that in the 1770s, guilloché was retrospectively used to describe repetitive architectural patterns of intersecting or overlapping spirals or other shapes made in ancient Near Eastern, classical Greek, and Roman architecture and Early Medieval interlace decoration in Anglo-Saxon art.

The HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché is connecting times

Creating a guilloche watch dial takes time, tools, skills, and talent—that was the case in the past and is still the case today. An artisanal guillocheur engraves fine and intricate patterns on metal using an anachronistic rose engine, straight-line engine, or brocading machine. Creating a guilloché dial starts with the guillocheur positioning the machine to position the dial in the right direction. Then, pressure is applied to the cutter, and by varying that, different effects appear. The result is a meticulously structured dial that reflects the light in an unrivaled, lively, and dynamic way. Guilloché was once a thriving art form taught in dedicated watchmaking schools. For example, between 1896 and 1932, the School of Applied Industrial Arts in the Swiss watchmaking town of La Chaux-de-Fonds conducted classes on guilloché with up to ten students. Those days are long gone, and now only a few specialists who master the art of handmade guilloché remain. HYT is proud to offer a limited edition of the contemporary T1, which confidently shows a blue-coated brass dial decorated with a handmade guilloché pattern.

Love for artisanal crafts

Vahe Vartzebed, HYT’s CEO, has very strong feelings about the T1 collection and the new limited edition watch with its conspicuous dial in particular:

The introduction of the T1 Series in 2024 was an important step for HYT to offer improved comfort and wearability of our timepieces while surprising with the first closed dial that allowed us to express ourselves on a more traditional approach. The T1 Series collection is like a platform on which we can introduce fascinating artisanal crafts we have a deep love for. The first example is the T1 Titanium Guilloché. Limited to just 8 pieces worldwide, the guilloché is entirely hand-made. We are extremely proud to present a timepiece combining one of the purest expressions of traditional watchmaking and our unique fluidic time indication.”

The large blue dial shows three different patterns. The linear pattern on the flange displaying the applied Arabic numerals creates a boundary of the main dial on which a dynamic circular pattern shines, originating from the center. The third pattern is found in the small sub dial between 2 and 3 o’clock, displaying the power reserve; it’s a sunray pattern that not only adds a delicate touch but also helps the watch’s wearer remind when it’s time to read the watch in a highly legible way. The three-dimensionality of the carefully carved-out patterns, although miniaturist in size, creates a grandiose effect when the light hits them.

The third-generation T1 explores new design territories

The T1 Titanium Guilloché is a third-generation T1 timepiece. The four-watch T1 collection debuted in the Spring of 2024 and surprised the watch world with its modern looks, ergonomic design, and introverted closed dial. The T1 series marked HYT’s completely new design concept. Later that year, the T1 Millésime debuted. These watches, offering vintage-inspired, colorful dials, just like a millésime wine, were only made within a set period, from September 2024 to April 2025.

The ‘T’ in the name T1 Titanium Guilloché stands for ‘Tradition,’ so it makes sense that it continues to explore the vintage theme. This time, it does so even more adventurously and boldly than before. The octagonal shape of the natural-colored and black-coated titanium case with a soft satin finish forms the contrasting foundation for a historically eclectic timepiece. The diameter of the faceted case measures 45.3mm and it has a thickness of 17.2mm. This results in a well-proportioned case that wears very well. Not just because of the balanced measurements and ergonomic case profile.

The relatively short length of the ergonomic case and the steep angle under which the rubber or textile strap connects to the case make the T1 sit stable and comfortable on almost any wrist, no matter the size. The seamless integration of the strap and case is a visual bonus. Another interesting visual element, while being ergonomic at the same time, is the position of the crown between 2 and 3 ‘clock. The position and the single elongated crown guard ensure the crown doesn’t leave a mark on the wearer’s arm or wrist.

Finding the source of the fluidic hours

Who would guess that a guilloche dial that oozes tradition would be such a wonderfully suited décor for a fluidic time display? HYT envisioned it and made it happen. Time is shown through retrograde hours and a generously sized central minute hand on the large and vivid blue dial. At 6 o’clock, a high-tech borosilicate glass capillary tube appears seemingly out of nowhere. Inside it, a black fluid moves past the hour markings on the flange. You must flip the watch to find out where the tube comes from.

When looking at the T1 Titanium Guilloché’s transparent case back, you can try to figure out how the fluid indication of the hours works. The original idea to use fluid to show time sprouted from the brain of Swiss serial inventor Lucien Vouillamoz—a man with 118 applications and 24 patents to his name—in the late 1990s. The idea took more than a decade to materialize. No surprise when you know that the movement, which debuted in HYT’s first-ever watch in 2012, is a never-seen-before combination of traditional mechanical principles and an alien, even hostile liquid element. The caliber 501-CM inside the T1 Titanium Guilloché profits from twelve years of steady evolution. The 352-part, manual winding, 4Hz movement, with 72 hours of power reserve, is a unique and reliable micromachine.

The two small bellows that some say look like the pistons of a motorcycle engine are responsible for indicating the hours. If one bellow compresses, the other expands, resulting in the black fluid's movement on the watch's dial side.

Tradition meets exotism

The caliber 501-CM looks like a miniature power plant. It’s impressive, intriguing, and totally unique. The 352-part movement received a traditional Haute Horlogerie finish, creating a visual contrast with the caliber’s more exotic parts. The bellows, for instance, are made of an alloy with walls just one-quarter the thickness of a human hair (!).

The T1 Titanium Guilloché, an 8-piece limited that comes with two straps: a luxurious blue alligator leather and a more sporty Pure Black rubber strap. Both straps close with a titanium pin buckle with satin and sandblasted finishes. Changing between straps for a dressy and more informal look is child’s play because of the sturdy and easy-to-operate quick-release system.

The eclectic T1 Titanium Guilloché, with its radiant guilloché dial patterns, is again a testament to the young brand's drive, ambitions, and daring design language—the contrast created by having an edgy, large, open-worked central minute hand filled with white Super-LumiNova® underlines HYT’s boundless creative eclecticism. It’s a timepiece that crosses borders and captivates the hearts and souls of open-minded watch connoisseurs. The intriguing mix of ancient inspiration, classic decoration techniques, and avant-garde micro-fluidic watchmaking makes for an exquisite timepiece in terms of aesthetics. The T1 Titanium Guilloché’s ergonomic qualities make it astonishingly easy to wear. Let’s just say it’s an extraordinary watch in every possible way.

Technical specifications

HYT T1 Titanium Guilloché

Reference: H03421-A

Limited edition of 8 pieces

Caseback engraving: T1-55

Case

• Material: Titanium silver & black DLC case satin finished
• Width: 45.30 mm
• Length: 46.30 mm
• Thickness: 17.20 mm
• Titanium crown
• Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Water-resistant to 50 meters

Dial 

• Blue coated Handmade Guilloched brass
• Rhodium plated appliques, black, white & red decals, SLN White C1 / WL
• Black liquid inside borosilicate capillary tube

Hands

• Rhodium plated satin- finished minutes hand, white SLN
• Rhodium plated satin-finished power reserve hand, white SLN

Movement

• Calibre 501-CM (352 pieces)
• Manual winding movement
• Frequency: 28,800 vib/h (4 Hz)
• Number of jewels: 41
• Power reserve of 72 hours
• Finishing: Finely sand-blasted and satin-finished
• Coating: Black coating

Functions/Indications

• Fluidic retrograde hours
• Central minutes hand
• Power reserve hand

Strap and buckle

• Pure black rubber strap
• Blue Alligator strap
• Pin buckle and loop buckle simple in titanium
• Satin & sand-blasted finishes

MSRP: CHF 64'000 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit hytwatches.com