Hands on with the Hvilina Universum Cosmographia

Especially in this blue version, the Universum Cosmographia is unlike any other watch out there, and this is not only due to the color. The slope bezel of the 42.6mm large watch has the brand and collection name engraved in it, after which the letters of each word are filled in with a different color. The bezel and caseback have a matte finish, while the center segment with the lugs is polished. The overall rounded shape of the case makes it comfortable to wear, and on the wrist, it sits more like a 41mm watch, though that might also be due in part to the color.

The PVD-coated case is a perfect match for the dial's velvet blue. It doesn't happen often at watches in this price range, but I urge you to take your loupe or magnifying glass and examine the dial. You will be delighted by a three-dimensional, stylized version of our solar system. The sun is at the center, where the hands are mounted, and each planet is a dome placed between the stars, in between rings on the dial that highlight that velvet texture with the play of light. The three-dimensional aspect of it has a delicacy to it that is commonly associated with watches in a higher price tier, as for the €533 that Hvilina is asking for the Universum Cosmographia, the level of detail is very high.

For that money, it even delivers a complication. Here, it gets a bit more poetic, as the large window showcases a disc that rotates once every 24 hours. Its design is based on an ancient 9th-century star map showing zodiac constellations, with the design lining up with the rings of the bottom part of the dial. When you are in a more practical mood, the disc can serve as an impressive day/night indicator, as Hvilina made half of it white and the other half blue. 

The Universum Cosmographia is powered by a GMT-movement made by Miyota. This caliber 9075 allows you to set the GMT hand with the crown, but since the Universum Cosmographia lacks such a hand, you set the disc with it. The crown itself is nice and plumb, providing a nice grip, and has the same design as the case, although in a different sequence, as the outer and inner parts are polished, and the middle section is polished. The placement of the crown is perfect, as it doesn't dig into your wrist, giving you a full range of motion without discomfort. 

Where you would expect a pressure-closed caseback, Hvilina offers one secured by no fewer than six screws. Again, also here we see a pleasant eye for detail, as these screws are coated in blue PVD, and the caseback features engravings and a decorated side. The Miyota caliber 9075 is decorated with Geneva stripes and fitted with an oscillating weight showing the same stylized version of our solar system as on the front. 

It complements the quick-release rubber strap, where Hvilina also went through the trouble of mimicking the decorations on the dial and oscillating weight. It wears very comfortably, as most rubber straps do, and comes with a blue PVD buckle that is quite sturdy. The Hvilina Universum Cosmographia is a lot of watch for €533, especially since it is also one of the least expensive offerings featuring the Miyota caliber 9075. That being said, the watch is also quite a character, poetic at heart and unapologetic in its appearance. That might be exactly what some are looking for, and for those, the Universum Cosmographia is almost a steal, given how rich it is in detail. When blue is not your color, you can opt for the same price for a blue dial with a silver case, or a black PVD-coated case with a black dial. When you are feeling fancy, is that last version also available with a PVD-gold bezel and crown. Each of the Hvilina Universum Cosmographia is limited to 500 pieces. 

For more info, visit Hvilina, here.