Independent Watchmakers: Top Picks & Reviews

I’ve recently added a new piece to my collection, and this one is even further outside my wheelhouse: the HYT S1 Beadblasted Titanium Red (quite a mouthful!).

There are many reasons I should have stayed away from this one—the large size (over 45mm), the industrial look, potential servicing issues down the road, and the company’s rocky financial history. Yet, when I tried it on, I loved it. And, as expected, my heart won over the rational concerns. Not to say that I didn’t rationalize the decision to myself:

The size—despite being a large watch, it is very comfortable on my wrist of just barely 7 inches. The lack of lugs results in a “lug to lug” length of well under 50mm, smaller than many of my traditional watches. The structured strap bends straight down so there is no extension over the side of my wrist. And the instant strap changing system is perhaps the easiest I’ve encountered.

The look—yes, it is stepping even further out of my usual safety zone, but that is the main attraction. The liquid time display, coupled with the regulator-style minute hand is easy to read and, to me, very cool! And watching the liquid reset at 6 o’clock is a blast.

The company—sure there was a recent bankruptcy, so I need to hope that future performance is better. But most of the major US airlines have had past bankruptcies, and I put my life in their hands on a regular basis. And, as I noted, there is the question of future serviceability; this is not a watch a local watchmaker will be equipped to repair. So, I encourage everyone to buy one of these to keep the company strong!

Despite all the rational concerns and rationalizations, it’s just a watch I enjoy and think will be fun and easy to wear. I expect that others here have, from time to time, had similar thoughts when acquiring new pieces.