Following the release of the Conical Tourbillon in black with green dial-side animation and the vibrant, multi-coloured Conical Tourbillon Infinity Sapphires, the brand continues its innovative exploration of fluid time presentation and bold colour combinations. Indie watchmaker HYT‘s latest creation is the HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda , a cultured black-and-white version of this complex watch, limited to eight pieces.
The HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda features a 48mm diameter titanium case, is water-resistant up to 30 meters, and mirrors the shape and size of previous Conical Tourbillon models. The case is coated in white ceramic, extending to the titanium side grilles and frame. This finish continues onto the crown, which includes a black DLC titanium insert. The dial is topped by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal with AR treatment, showcasing a white agate chapter ring with three-dimensional, black-coated indices treated with Super-LumiNova, along with the HYT logo at the 6 o’clock position. The HYT’s signature retrograde hour indication is represented by black and white liquids propelled by bellows inside a borosilicate capillary tube. Minutes are indicated by a matte black pointer hand with white Super-LumiNova.
At the centre, attention is captivated by the conical tourbillon, developed for the series by master watchmaker Eric Coudray, and the “chaotic animation” featuring three 2.5mm white agate spheres and smaller counterweights, along with two white and four black spheres, each 1.5mm in diameter, within the futuristic tourbillon cage. The conical tourbillon completes a clockwise revolution every 30 seconds. The HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda movement boasts various inclinations: the spring balance is inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal, the escape wheel at 15 degrees, and the pallet at 23 degrees. Three large white agate spheres rotate at different speeds on the cage’s periphery, with the first completing four turns per minute, the second five turns per minute, and the third six turns per minute, all clockwise. This design demonstrates the stability of the conical tourbillon’s rate, creating a mesmerizing spectacle perfectly complemented by the black-and-white aesthetic.
The HYT Conical Tourbillon Panda is powered by the manually wound calibre 701-TC, which comprises 533 components, the same as in the earlier variants of the timepiece. This movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 40-hour power reserve. The exhibition caseback reveals the contemporary movement, which features black and rhodium-plated finishes and distinctive bellows.