Hands on The Indie Brand Fam Al Hut Presents the Mark 1 Mobius

In the world of haute horlogerie, China is often mentioned as one of the most important markets, especially when it comes to special editions dedicated to the country, as we’ve seen during Chinese New Year celebrations. Recently, a large number of timepieces have been released in honor of the Year of the Snake and other Chinese zodiac signs.

As the second-largest watch market in the world and a leading nation in various manufacturing sectors, China remains distant from the top ranks of high-end watchmaking, unlike countries such as Japan, Germany, or even the United States. We will, of course, not mention Switzerland, as it holds a commanding lead. In this article, we previously discussed the history of watchmaking in this small European country and how it came to reign supreme in the industry.

However, this reality is starting to change, with several Chinese companies beginning to gain attention. Movement manufacturers like Sea-Gull, for example, are starting to compete with Swiss movements from Sellita and ETA, and perhaps even more directly with Japanese movements from Miyota. The same applies to the field of independent watchmaking, where emerging and ambitious brands are starting to make their mark in this prestigious industry, one where many other countries have failed to challenge Switzerland.

But will the day come when China rivals Switzerland in this luxury craft? For now, the indicators suggest otherwise. However, given what China has achieved across other industrial sectors, mechanical engineering in particular and its rise as the world’s top automobile producer, surpassing Germany, as well as its dominance in shipbuilding over Japan and the United States, the question remains open. The answer may only come years or even decades from now.

When it comes to watchmaking itself, China is certainly on the map, even if it’s not represented by globally recognized names. Some noteworthy talents have started to emerge among the ranks of independent watchmakers. One such figure, previously highlighted on Waqt, is Mr. Qin Gan, the creative mind behind the Pastoral 2 watch.

Now, we turn to a rising Chinese brand with a striking name “Fam Al Hut” founded by two young men from southern China, Dai and Lukas, who share a passion for watchmaking and astronomy. Though the name may sound Arabic at first, it is in fact derived from a star Fomalhaut, the brightest star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish).

During our recent visit to Geneva and the “Time to Watches” fair, we discovered the latest creation from “Fam Al Hut”: the Mark 1 Mobius. This piece stands out as a unique design masterpiece, completely different from the other releases at the event. It features a double-axis tourbillon and a striking, attention-grabbing aesthetic.

The stainless steel case has a curved rectangular shape with no visible lugs and is polished to a high gloss. It measures 42.2 × 24.3 mm, with a case thickness of 12.9 mm and a total thickness of 17 mm including the domed sapphire crystal, the thickest point positioned above the twin-axis tourbillon. Thanks to the lugless design, the watch offers a wearing experience similar to timepieces with a diameter between 36 and 38 mm.

The openworked dial reveals a mechanical display tailored to the rectangular shape of the watch. At 12 o’clock, the dual-axis tourbillon rotates at two different speeds: 150 seconds and 60 seconds per axis. Adding to the complexity is a jumping hour mechanism, along with twin retrograde hour and minute indicators that snap back to the beginning upon reaching their endpoints. The Mark 1 Mobius is the first wristwatch in history to combine a jumping hour with dual retrograde hour and minute hands.

At its core beats the hand-wound M-01T caliber, offering a 50-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz). What sets this movement apart is not only its mechanical ingenuity and originality but also its exquisite finishing, each component demonstrating a meticulous attention to detail and exceptional craftsmanship from this up-and-coming brand.

The watch is fitted with an ultra-slim rubber strap and a folding clasp designed to match the shape of the case. The price of the “Fam Al Hut” Mark 1 Mobius is USD 32,000, or approximately AED 117,500.

For more information visit Fam Al Hut official website.