Hysek IO Automatic Manufacture
The new IO Automatic Manufacture watch houses Hysek’s new basic caliber.
The timepiece displays the hours and minutes and features a small seconds hand at 6 o’clock, along with the firm’s signature hallmarks: large, luminous, spear-shaped hands; hour markers at 1, 5, 7, and 11 o’clock only; and highly stylised Arabic numerals – applied on a dial featuring especially intricate motifs.
These motifs draw inspiration from graphite. Its hexagonal molecule, interlinked by a three-way bond, forms a honeycomb pattern whose use here is unique in the world of watchmaking. The IO Automatic Manufacture’s dial thus provides both relief and depth, catching the light in constantly changing fashion.
Experienced collectors will also notice the work done on the lugs. These are made in-house, formed from a solid block. They come in several types of finish (polished, satin, and sand-blasted), providing a degree of creativity rarely seen for this positioning. The same is true of the movement, visible from the rear: each of the components is individually finished, with polishing, rounded angles, pearling, and so on.
Lastly, Hysek has chosen to add a lug infill on its new IO to match the timepiece’s four different types (gold or titanium, 41mm or 43mm). The straps are fitted with spring bars, allowing them to be changed quickly with no tools required.
As for the movement itself, the IO Automatic Manufacture is powered by a real in-house caliber: indeed, with the exception of the spring, the anchor, and the barrel spring, the movement is fully manufacture made. Sporting a total of 145 components, the production and finishes have been optimised to allow a starting price for the finished timepiece of CHF 10,000.
The result is Hysek’s so-called “basic” caliber – a foundational movement for the manufacture, on which it can build multiple collections in the years ahead, adding complications as appropriate. It has taken all of Hysek’s expertise to build this caliber; like all in-house movements, it uses none of the commonest watchmaking shortcuts.
For instance, its winding mechanism uses a micro-rotor rather than a complete oscillating weight. The micro-rotor is an art mastered by Hysek and used on most of its creations; ensuring it performs as well as a traditional rotor is a particularly delicate feat of watchmaking.
The micro-rotor is made from a heavy metal, allowing the IO Automatic Manufacture to boast a power reserve when fully wound of up to 62 hours, despite taking up only a very small space within the movement. This allows the latter to be slimmer, whilst also accommodating the large barrel required for this kind of duration. The micro-rotor will also enable Hysek to leave space in the movement for modular or integrated complications to be added.
Technical details
Movement
Hysek HW31 calibre
Automatic Mechanical
Hour, Minute & Second
Micro-rotor on the back side
Small second at 6 o’clock
145 components
32jewel
Power Reserve: 62 hours ± 3 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Case
Dimensions: Ø 43 mm x W10 mm or Ø 41 mm x W9.5 mm
Round shape
18K rose gold or Titanium
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection
Water resistance: 30 metres
Dial
Featuring a honeycomb pattern inspired by the graphite molecule
Strap
Leather strap
Deployment clasp
