Death. Power. Celebration. The skull is associated with numerous themes, and HYT has used it to great effect in its namesake collection. The Skull watch was first released in two references with red and green liquids, each sporting matching eyes of the corresponding color and resembling a different comic book character. The Skull Maori came next, and had detailing that evoked traditional Maori tribal tattoos. For its latest creation, the Skull Bad Boy, HYT has ventured into the rebellious, grittier subcultures of biking and hard rock.

The most striking aspect of the new release is its fluid module’s black liquid, which had taken the brand over a year to develop. It’s worth noting that every new color used in the brand’s fluid modules is an individual “product” whose hue is just one aspect that must be engineered – the liquid must also maintain a defined meniscus within the glass tube, repel itself from the tube’s inner walls instead of sticking to it, have a suitable viscosity and thermal coefficient, and finally be UV resistant.

Chemistry aside, black also represents an entirely new shade for the brand, whose past developments have been confined to bright, almost fluorescent liquids. The new liquid is a perfect fit for the Skull Bad Boy’s monochromic color scheme, which includes a black DLC-coated titanium case and slate grey leather strap. The watch’s overall look is sinister, and fully deserving of its name. The general lack of vibrancy doesn’t translate into a lack of details though. Note how the grey hour indexes on the flange support the theme with their Gothic typeface, and the dial’s Clous de Paris pattern that resembles a leather cuff’s studs.

The skull itself takes centre stage, and is a wonder to behold – it’s a steel/carbon composite created by folding the two materials over themselves multiple times, before being polished and sealed with varnish. The folding process is akin to that used in crafting Japanese swords, and creates a similar pattern of wavy layers. As every batch of materials folds differently during the process, no two skulls will be alike. The displays in the eyes return in the Skull Bad Boy; the socket on the left houses a rotating disc that acts as a running seconds indicator, while the one on the right is a power reserve indicator that turns progressively darker as the mainspring winds down.

Specs

• Dimensions: 51mm
• Functions: Hours, small seconds, power reserve indicator
• Power Reserve: 65 hours
• Movement: Manual-winding HYT calibre with fluid module and
• 65-hour power reserve
• Case: DLC-coated titanium
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Strap: Slate grey alligator leather with Velcro clasp

This story was originally published in World of Watches Singapore