Hysek offers a fresh take on its IO Skeleton Tourbillon: an ultra-minimalist manufacture movement, housed in a rose gold case, water-resistant to 30m. To go with it, the maison has developed an exclusive use for the two sapphire crystals: on one of the two new versions, the decoration of the watch back extends to the crystal itself, while on the other version, the front features engraved hour markers – doing away with the need for a dial.
Hysek unveiled the IO Skeleton Tourbillon at Baselworld 2014. The timepiece combines a broad 49mm diameter with ultra-minimalist skeletonization. The result was a radiant watch with light shining right through it, drawing the gaze to its tourbillon and the finishing on its movement. In 2015, Hysek has added a new finishing that elevate the radiance of the original watch to an even higher degree.
The new IO Skeleton Tourbillon now features a glass back adorned with a guilloché sunburst motif in a metallic finish. This new decoration accentuates the solar effect: light shining through is seemingly refracted by the historic motif of fine watchmaking so that it radiates out from the centre of the watch to its edges. This new aesthetic approach endows the timepiece with unprecedented, iridescent breadth and depth, further enhancing its brilliance.
In addition to the ultra-minimalist version, Hysek has also introduced an alternative in which the sapphire crystal has been engraved with Roman numerals on its inner side. In the very best age-old tradition, the watch has twelve conventional hour markers – but placed directly on the watch crystal. This modern approach has allowed Hysek to do away with applique features and even the dial – suddenly superfluous in a watch whose vocation is rather to be as pure and ethereal as possible.
Most of the properties of the original manufacture movement have been retained. The HW14 manual wind calibre dispenses with the need for an oscillating weight – another unwelcome encumbrance when it comes to the IO Skeleton Tourbillon.
The calibre has just 164 components and is fully hand-decorated. Nothing is left to chance in achieving its aesthetic balance. The barrel is located at 7 o’clock, the tourbillon at 11 o’clock. One of the manufacture’s iconic characteristics, the asymmetrical layout contributes here to the IO’s style being both unique in watchmaking and overwhelmingly distinctive.
Moreover, Hysek has applied one of its most emblematic finishes to its in-house HW14 calibre, the Rose des Vents. The manufacture is one of the few remaining firms to craft this ‘compass rose’ finish.
The watch boasts over three days’ running time, with a guaranteed 74-hour power reserve.
