Swiss luxury independent watch brand HYT confirms its presence in Australia during 4-day Extreme Sailing Series Championship and appoints MAD & Associates as exclusive agent for the brand.
HYT launched its footprint in Australia with a 4-day series of events and sponsorship in partnership with MAD & Associates, exclusive agent for the brand in Australia.
Proud sponsor of one of the 8 participating sailing teams, Team Alinghi, HYT hosted press and customers at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for the final leg of the Extreme Sailing Series 2016 held in Sydney Harbour from 8 to 11 December 2016.
Guests got to meet the Alinghi crew, and despite some very strong winds (of up to 35 knots), they also managed some on-board sailing experiences on the super-fast flying hydro-foiling GC32 catamarans at the Sydney Harbour.
After-hour activities, hosted by HYT Partner & CEO Gregory Dourde, Friend of the Brand Peter Hackett and the HYT team, included a twilight sail with media friends on-board a 105ft Sun Seeker yacht that toured the Sydney Harbour. During the second evening HYT hosted 15 customers in an intimate sit-down dinner at the Australian National Maritime Museum, a beautiful setting and juxtaposition of old and new, of traditional and modern.
Gregory Dourde commented, ‘fluids are our playground and I can’t think of a better setting than the Extreme Sailing Series in one of the most beautiful harbours in the world to launch HYT in Australia. We met some very passionate collectors over the last few days and great press personalities. We’re looking forward to growing our business here.’
MAD & Associates Managing Director, Nicholas Hooper added, ‘I’m very happy to have introduced HYT to Australia and I expect the unprecedented innovation that HYT has brought to watchmaking to strongly resonate with Australians. Early indications show that collectors here are already very excited.’
The four days finished with the 11 December Grand Finale where Alinghi was the proud winner and champion of the Extreme Sailing Series 2016.
A smooth finish to HYT’s 3rd full commercial year of activity!
HYT in a few words
HYT’s Hydromechanical Horologists have turned fantasy into reality, mixing mechanics and liquid within a wristwatch. While addicted to non-conformism, these alchemists have drawn upon the strictest codes of fine watchmaking, and shattered them.
The principle
Two flexible reservoirs with a capillary attached at each end. In one, a coloured liquid; in the other, a transparent one. Keeping them apart is the repulsion force of the molecules in each fluid.
The hours are indicated by the coloured liquid released from a flexible reservoir compressed by a piston. These reservoirs, or bellows, are located at six o’clock and are made from a supple alloy. The first coloured liquid travels through the capillary pushing the transparent one back into its own reservoir and then returning to its original position at six o’clock in what is referred to as a retrograde manner.
The two reservoirs at 06:00. While the first compresses, the second expands, and the other way round, resulting in the movement of the liquid in the capillary. As the hours go by, the coloured liquid advances. The meniscus, in the shape of a half moon, marks the separation point with the other fluid in the tube, indicating the time. At 18:00, the coloured liquid comes back to its original position, going backwards.
The secret that gets the reservoirs going? Two bellows made of a highly resistant, flexible alloy, each driven by a piston. And this is where watchmaking comes in to activate the system.
In 2013, HYT launched its H2 Collection, a new class of time pieces born from a close partnership with Audemars Piguet Renaud Papi and managed under the steady guidance of Giulio Papi. This partnership was renewed in 2015 to continue HYT’s ground-breaking work in fluid technology and also to develop a new collection: the H3 that once again reiterated HYT’s commitment to creating pieces that continuously surprise and challenge at every opportunity.
In 2015 two more legendary collections were introduced: the Skull & the H4. The most difficult aspect when creating the Skull was to transform the circular shape of the capillary to give it a skull like appearance. This was due to both the technical and the esthetical constraints of bending a glass tube that measures less than 1 millimeter in diameter. The H4 is equipped with a micro generator that converts mechanical energy into light allowing the wearer to read the time in the dark. A first in the horological industry.
The founders & the CEO
Patrick Berdoz, Lucien Vouillamoz, Emmanuel Savioz, Vincent Perriard
Grégory Dourde (CEO)
HYT in a few figures
Objectives realized in 2015:
• Production: sale of 400 pieces
• 66 points of sale
• 13 novelties launched
2016 Pipeline Objectives:
• More than 80 points of sale
• 7 novelties will be launched in 2016
• 46 staff members between HYT and Preciflex (HYT’s sister company)
• Opening of the first HYT Boutique in Kuala Lumpur (February)
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