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Insider: HYT H2 Aviator Unique Piece. Hands-on with a Hydro-Mechanical Timepiece for Aviation Lovers.

With an already imposing name, the HYT H2 Aviator ref. 248-DL-01-GF-KG is the first time HYT creates a timepiece destined for aviation lovers which each step of its concept designed to satisfy aeronautical codes. The H2 Aviator we have here, is a unique piece where the liquid is green instead of yellow as in the regular production H2 Aviator. The H2 Aviator isn’t simply an evolution, it is a true transformation of HYT’s iconic H2 launched in 2013, a piece easily distinguishable by its ‘V’ shaped positioned bellows. The H2’s new aviation garb underlines the piece’s legibility, a defining element for all flight instruments. The path and the color of the minute hand has been redrawn with its quarter hour indexes enlarged and in red.

The Dial & Case

The skeletonized dial features a supersized central hand tipped by a red arrow, a first for HYT. The crown position indicator —H-N-R— located at 3pm is visible via a window that displays the selected function. To ensure all components shine with maximum visibility they are placed on a DLC treated movement with a satin finish and polished angles. The contrast with the neighboring chrome is optimal, the reading of the time simple and intuitive. Like all fighter planes the cockpit is functional and extremely visible in this sleek casing measuring 48.8 mm by 17.9 mm in thickness. For this particular H2 Aviator Unique Piece, HYT also DLC coated the hour indexes that are treated with grey anthracite superluminova. Additionally, on this unique piece the hour is read by a green liquid instead of yellow.

The Strap & Crown

As with all technical pieces, the H2 has its share of innovations. One of HYT’s leitmotifs is to bring these innovations directly to the wearer: palpably, concretely and immediately. The HYT H2 Aviator Unique Piece comes fitted with a rubber strap instead of the aramid fiber strap on the regular production piece and with the traditional rubber clad crown.

The Movement

The beating heart inside the HYT H2 Aviator is the skeletonized manual wound movement HYT Calibre 201, exclusively developed by APRP —Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi— for HYT with 26 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 65 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back fitted with a black smoked sapphire crystal.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, what can we tell you. This piece of 'haute horlogerie' feels and wears just spectacularly. The watch wears true to its size but not in a bulky way, with regards to the wrist presence, it is out of this world. If you are ready to tell time with a fluid based mechanical watch and wow everyone during that board meeting with this unique piece, this is the watch for you.

Sticker Price $190,000 USD. For more info on HYT click here.