One of Hysek’s showpieces, the column-wheel chronograph - created, developed and assembled in-house - has made a strong comeback with a new dial that underscore the strong character of this Furtif. The piece is one of very few Haute Horlogerie automatic chronographs to feature a column wheel, micro-rotor, and “large date” – and be made entirely in-house. This model alone brings together virtually all of the brand’s attributes.
First and foremost, there’s the Furtif collection’s rectangular case – a perfect square, to which are securely fastened the swivel lugs developed by the manufacture. The latter provide optimum comfort on the wrist – and are also one of the brand’s most prominent technical features.
Then too, there’s the technical prowess of the HW4057 calibre, a movement made entirely in-house and obvious at first sight, thanks to the double micro-rotor exclusive to Hysek. The first micro-rotor is visible on the dial side, made of solid 22-carat gold and engraved with the firm’s monogram; the second is visible to the rear, perfectly integrated into the movement. The resulting dual action provides the caliber with a very powerful rewind mechanism. Boasting 416 components, the manufacture movement also includes a column wheel chronograph, one of the most prestigious and delicate forms of the complication. This calibre, entirely finished by hand, is located in the heart of a titanium and rose gold case, with mobile lugs for better ergonomics and adorned with a sapphire glass screwed into four points to maximize its readability. All very architecturally, it reveals the power of an avant-gardiste, intensely urban watch.
Last but by no means least, the design is unashamedly contemporary. The brand’s four signature hour markers at 1, 5, 7, and 11 o’clock, featuring Art Deco-style Roman numerals, are the most immediately apparent, followed closely by the Furtif’s hands. The seconds hand boasts three openwork ‘dots’ – another of Hysek’s distinctive touches. These are also engraved on the micro-rotor, as well as on the four screws securing the sapphire crystal. In a final nod to this hallmark, each of the Roman numerals includes three parallel lines – in the diagonals of the “X” and the “V”, as well as in the vertical “I”.
The Furtif uses special split-level architecture. The first level displays the Grande Date; the second, the Chronograph. To make reading the time easier, the seconds and minutes discs are not fully visible; since it is only necessary to read what each marker is pointing to, Hysek has concealed the remainder of the discs. Also with the aim of readability in mind, the hour hands sport plenty of SuperLumi-Nova coating. And in a final style detail crafted to perfection, on the minute circle, a fine gold gilt segment denotes each five-minute period, matching the Roman numerals and hour markers opposite – extreme levels of attention to detail and style that will win over connoisseur collectors everywhere.
The new Furtif comes in two new variations: anthracite and purple. For both, a titanium and rose gold case has been chosen to house the movement. Alternating satin and polished finishes, it subtly combines the materials used, allowing the rose gold to shine through in select locations on the crown, crown protector, crystal screws, and frame protection. Everywhere else, the dark tones of brushed and polished titanium provide fresh contrast with the anthracite or purple grained dial, accompanied by a hand-sewn alligator matching strap, closed by a double security fold-over buckle developed exclusively by Hysek Manufacture.
