HYT : project creation and launch

Hydro Mechanical Horologists came up with an unimaginable idea: using liquids to display time in mechanical fake men watches. This is a huge challenge in terms of design and production.

Let us return to the human journey of watchmaking and scientific adventure. HYT is the buzzword at the 2012 Basel International Watch and Jewelry Show. The promised anti-traditional achievements fascinated all participants. Therefore, this story is easy to start with the famous story: “I have a dream …”. Think about it, when Lucien Vuillamoz put forward the idea of ​​designing a water meter in 2002, his idea was far from feasible and more fictional than actual. Therefore, its actual design and production in turn is a real challenge.

From intent to design
It is the seat of the Swiss National Fair – in the Three Lakes region; such as Neuchâtel, Bienne and Morat – inspired its creators to think about water meters. Here, we have experienced some historical flashbacks of water clock time and extreme distrust of aquatic element watchmakers, which is still the first public enemy of mechanical timepieces that are prone to rust.

This concept seems difficult to realize, and has only been an intention for a long time. Time goes by, but Lucien Vuillamoz can never get rid of this idea. His way of thinking about the project has evolved, so the concept swiss HYT replica now proposes-showing the passage of time through liquids-has slowly taken shape.

This new method quickly adopted the functional principle of the fluid HYT indicator. Two soft metal bellows are connected very thinly by capillaries. Each flexible chamber is filled with two types of immiscible liquids, one of which is colored. When one of the two chambers is compressed, the interface between the two fluids shows the time.

Lucien Vuillamoz is somewhere between Oppenheimer and Professor Tournesol. His free thinking has left a deep impression on everyone as if it floats on the Quantum Vacuum. His method can be summarized as a motto explaining Socratic analytical thinking: “What I know is that I know nothing”

Vuillamoz studied thermodynamics at the famous Department of Nuclear and Small Ball Physics at the University of Geneva. As a compulsive inventor, his academic background tells him that he has an extraordinary concept at hand, but he knows that mastering physical constraints can promote its development.

From concept to first prototype
When a person has a revolutionary idea, the first thing to do is to protect it. Due to his lack of necessary knowledge in the field, Vuillamoz turned to his friend Patrick Berdoz, who has extensive experience in the field of intellectual property. After the usual preliminary research, it seems that these technologies can be truly protected. With the logistics and financial help of Patrick Berdoz, he believes that this bold project can be developed, with a novel search and prepayment. Vuillamoz explained: “There are currently eight patent families.” “Protecting intellectual property rights is the strategic core of HYT and its sister company Preciflex. The latter is a technology platform in the field of indications, whose purpose is to control the movement of very small amounts of fluids for use. For various applications. ” www.chronowatchmall.com

Once an important first step was taken, HYT was established and launched a fundraising campaign to begin production of the first functional prototype. The second part of this article will reveal the limitations that must be addressed in order for this unique project to succeed.

There are many challenges in creating reliable, viable and marketable products. This undoubtedly requires the establishment of a team with the necessary skills and courage to prepare to explore things that have never been explored. In 2010, Vuillamoz met the genius responsible for managing HYT and passing his communication skills to brand image building and promotion. That person is Vincent Perrirad. In his previous watchmaking works, his talent and sincere taste for innovation were praised. With the arrival of Bruno Moutarlier, the former industrial director of Audemars Piguet, this excellent team was quickly completed. He hired Jean François Mojon and his team Chronode to manufacture the movement of HYT H1.

Everyone knows the rest of the story: First, all participants of HYT focused their attention on the display stand, while H1 was the new size introduced at the 2012 Basel International Watch and Clock Fair. Then, most watch industry critics began to praise the achievement of inserting liquids into mechanical watches. Look. Finally, the challenge of producing H1 is particularly complex and out of step with the watchmaking culture. Therefore, only a few watch experts immediately understood the exact function of the fluid module. With the cooperation of this developer, the second part of this article will clarify the functions and development required to put HYT H1 fake watch on the market.