HYSECK offers uniquely complicated watches and an ergonomic basic collection. However, the company has also begun to equip its core collections with excellent in-house automatic movements. The designer behind these watches is the renowned Laurent Besse. He has been involved in HYSECK products since 2018, and while retaining the shape of the classic IO model, he has significantly improved the watch's overall quality.
Photographs by Masanori Yoshie
Masamasa Hirota (this magazine): Interview and writing
Text by Masayuki Hirota (Chronos-Japan)
Edited by Yousuke Ohashi (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2024 issue of Kronos Japan]
The future of in-house micro-rotor movements
Founded by Jorg Hysek, Hysek currently has two pillars. One is ergonomic watches in the style of Hysek. The other is in-house complications. The brain behind the company is Laurent Besse. He established the R&D department under Eric Klein at the Vendôme Group (now the Richemont Group), and later developed Zenith movements at Conseilray. After restructuring the movement manufacturer STT (now Dimier 1738), he founded Les Artisans Horlogers with Manuel Spede. His talent is evident when you look at the manufacturers he has worked with: Corum, Harry Winston, Zeitwinkel, MB&F, Universal Genève, Rebellion, and many more. Many of these movements were designed by Besse.
In 2018, Heizek brought Besse in as head of product. His first product was the square-shaped Flutif. He then revamped the core collection, adding an entirely new base movement in 21.
Caliber HW2000 is an automatic movement with a micro-rotor. The automatic winding is bidirectional, and the balance is a free-sprung movement without a regulator. What's more, the screws that secure the bridge to the baseplate are original, a very high-end specification. Currently, Heizek uses both its own complication movements and ETA ébauches (or their compatibles). However, it has now decided to switch to in-house production of the base movement as well. According to the company, the development period is three to four years, which is why Besse has been working on the development of this model since he took over.
This movement was used in the Abyss H. The Caliber HW3000, based on this, was installed in the IO 41mm Grand Classic. These watches themselves were also completely reworked by Laurent Besse. The indices, which mix Arabic numerals and bars, remain the same as before, but the bezel and lugs have been made thinner, and the dial finish has been changed to a glossy lacquer. In addition, the exterior parts have been tightly fitted together and given a fine grained finish, resulting in a clearly more luxurious feel. Hysek equipped these models with a new micro-rotor movement.
Hysek chose the genius Laurent Besse as a partner. Unfortunately, he has since left the company, but the unique and high-quality new IO is a masterpiece that hints at the company's new future.
The IO 41mm Grand Classic is equipped with the in-house Caliber HW3000. There is also a model that uses the modular chronograph Caliber HW3017. This masterpiece from HYZEC combines a high-quality exterior with a highly refined in-house movement. The feel of turning the crown is also precise, as you'd expect from a luxury watch. Automatic winding. 28,800 vph. 41 jewels. Power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41mm, thickness 11mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 3 million yen (tax included).
