A tourbillon encircled by "dancing" sapphires.

Using the same idea year in, year out is common practice in the relatively conservative world of watchmaking. This makes it all the more interesting to look at examples of when watchmakers manage to present a familiar complication from a new angle.

HYT has introduced a watch called the Conical Tourbillon Infinity Sapphires for Geneva Watch Days, where the brand's trademark fluidic hour indication is just one of many stars performing in the spellbinding show that unfolds on the watch dial.

The composition on the novelty's dial is reminiscent of the many revolving elements on timepieces like Astronomia by Jacob & Co. at first glance, or Planétarium dials by Van Cleef & Arpels and Christiaan van der Klaauw.

But in this case, extra roles are played by three colorful faceted sapphires in fuchsia, blue-gray and yellow, each measuring 2.5 mm in diameter. Tracked by counterweights painted in different shades, these sapphires rotate at varying speeds, completing four, five, and six full revolutions around the dial every minute. They serve as the opening act to get us warmed up for the main star of the show.

The center of the dial is occupied by a suspended tourbillon created by Eric Coudray. We've already seen similar theatrics on the HYT Conical Tourbillon Black Eklipse, but back then only black elements and neon-green spheres performed in the show.

This novelty draws on a broader palette, and the precious stones take the movement to the next level. The tourbillon is even framed by another six miniature sapphires measuring 1.5 mm in diameter.

Caliber 701-TC prefers to have elements tilted at an angle. The balance is tilted to a 30-degree angle, the escape wheel is set at a 15-degree angle, and the pallet is at a 23-degree angle. At a 30-degree angle, the conical tourbillon completes a clockwise revolution every 30 seconds.

The watch is limited to just eight pieces in a large case which marries gold and black coated titanium. The case measures 48 mm in diameter and 52.3 mm in length from lug to lug.

The movement's visual spectacle is larger than life. So the case height including the domed sapphire crystal lives up to a fitting 25.15 mm. The case is complemented by a black rubber strap with a brown leather insert.