As is the case with nearly every brand based in the watch lover’s paradise of Singapore, Lytt Labs was founded by a collector, namely Mr Edwin Seah. However, unlike some he had a very distinct aim for his watches. Coming from the tech world, he was enamoured by the modern visual landscape of Singapore, the technologically advanced urban jungle that it is. So, when he founded Lytt Labs, he built his own watches to reflect that.
First there was the aptly-named Inception, a piece that is to traditional what a Lamborghini is to your morning commute. That is to say, as far away as you could imagine. The cushion-shaped case is chunky futurism at its finest, like if the Starship Enterprise tried to make a Panerai. The dial on the other hand looks like nothing else you’re likely to come across.
Lytt Labs Inception 1.1 – Gunmetal (€745)
That dial is made from three separate, distinct sections: balanced, rotating discs, the indicators and then the outer dial. The result is something that goes beyond layered, clearly showing the mechanics at work in the concentric timekeeping wheels. They turn while the indicators themselves remain static, an inversion you’ve probably seen before, but one which stands out nevertheless.
After the Inception 1, Lytt Labs followed with the V 1.1, as well as a pair of painfully cool collaborations with Ghanaian artist Koby Martin and the Arab Watch Guide Club, based on the same watch. It’s a nice refinement of the original piece, largely following the same guidelines. Now however Lytt Labs has switched things up with its latest release, the Inception Prodigy.
Lytt Labs Inception Prodigy Collection
First and most drastically is the fact that the Inception Prodigy now uses hands. Given that it’s Lytt Lab’s single concession to traditional watchmaking, we’re happy to give them that one. Even then, these aren’t your grandad’s Breguet hands; hours and minutes are unusually flowing, while the second ‘hand’ is more like a rotating disc, just set above the dial this time.
The 45mm cushion case has stayed the same at the V1, its shape – and in fact, the overall architecture of the watch – inspired by city centre public fountains. It’s available in stainless steel, rose gold or a seriously cool gunmetal. Don’t let the size worry you though; thanks to the integrated strap, that 45mm is practically the lug-to-lug length, meaning it wears very nicely on nearly all wrists.
Lytt Labs Inception Prodigy – Gunmetal (€445)
Inside is a Seiko Calibre NH35 movement, a decent automatic that won’t let you down. It’s nothing particularly captivating but then in a watch like this you don’t need that. After all, traditional horology places most of its value on the movement and Lytt Labs is anything but traditional. For them, if it can look cool, be unique and keep good time, it’s perfect. The Inception Prodigy does all three and then some.
More details at lyttlabs.com
