Hyper-technical, sleek, electrifying – with the new HASTROID Blue Star, HYT yet again pushes the boundaries of materials used in horology. Nonconformists at heart, the pioneers of fluidic time chose magnesium for the case and a subtle metallic blue gradient for the case middle to give this new evolution a head start on modernity. Incredible lightness meets exceptional innovation.

The Hastroid’s case, with a diameter of 48 mm, a lug-to-lug distance of 52.3 mm, and a thickness of 13.3 mm, has so far been crafted from advanced noble materials: titanium; titanium and carbon; and an original alloy of stabilized bronze and carbon that bridges memories of the ages and aspirations for the future.

As an incubator of the unprecedented in watchmaking, HYT thrives on challenges, on pushing the boundaries in the use of modern and unexpected materials. Hence this new limited edition of 20 pieces: HASTROID Blue Star. Watch cases are traditionally made from metals such as stainless steel, gold, titanium or aluminum. The use of magnesium is rare, and its unique properties make it interesting, too. Factoid: magnesium is 2.6 times lighter than titanium, yet extremely strong; at the same time it is extremely difficult to machine for watchmaking applications. A challenge HYT simply had to take on.

With its hues of electric blue, HASTROID Blue Star’s design defines its own codes, underlining the modern, just-at-the-cusp-of-tomorrow character of the whole. The magnesium case has a special finish with a multi-layer surface treatment, giving it a charged, energized vibe. The exterior shows a metallic blue gradient, darkening on the lugs and becoming lighter as it approaches the center of the case middle.

The dial, extensively redesigned to improve legibility, features a large central hand with an electric blue coating and sharpened contours for an instantaneous fix on the minutes. The two sub-counters, arranged like instruments in a cockpit, provide essential complementary information: small seconds at left; power reserve to the right.

The same attention to aesthetics and legibility was applied to the fluid used for the retrograde time indication. The particular luminescence of the blue liquid achieved here ensures that the hours pop and are equally easy to read, by day and by night. For contrast and clarity, a capillary dial topped with white Super-LumiNova® is positioned under the fluidic light. The hour markers around the chapter ring are made from blocks of Super-LumiNova®. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the HASTROID Blue Star also features a central titanium container to protect the movement. Just a few of the technical features that hint at a depth of engineering that only enhances the appeal of this pioneering timepiece.

The openworked dial back and mainplate subtly reveal the components of the hand-wound mechanical movement. Designed by Eric Coudray for the HASTROID collection, the caliber’s distinctive aesthetic is further augmented thanks to modern finishes with elegant satin brushing and bead-blasting, that give a subtle edge to these treatments.

About HYT

Founded in 2012, the independent Swiss watch brand HYT introduced an original and exclusive approach to measuring time developed entirely in-house: HYT’s patented mechanical-fluidic technology combines a mechanical movement with a retrograde time indication in which a fluorescent fluid circulates through a system of capillary tubes.

HYT was born just over a decade ago from the dream of introducing fluid mechanics into the time display of a mechanical watch. To this day, the still young independent Swiss watchmaker has remained true to a highly personal philosophy of the art of horology, guided by the ambition to delve deep down to the very origins of time measurement dating several thousand years.

This led HYT to develop a cutting edge technology for applying the energy generated by the watch movement to fluid mechanics – and display fluidic time.

The one to solve this complex equation was Lucien Vouillamoz. It involves three key elements from the aerospace industry: first, a glass capillary tube measuring 0.8 mm in internal diameter; second, a fluidic module 10,000 times more waterproof than a watch resistant to 10 ATM or a depth of 100 meters; and third, a system of bellows measuring a quarter of the thickness of a human hair to move the liquids used for fluidic time.

Over the past ten-plus years, HYT has been constantly improving and enhancing the reliability of both its system and its movements. 2023 marks an important milestone as HYT enters a new phase in its development and reaches maturity. HYT timepieces, produced in limited editions, are sophisticated, complex and out of the ordinary, elegantly extravagant. The course is set for uncompromising exclusiveness.