Among the many insights provided by Jean-Claude Biver during his interview with Europa Star before BaselWorld that did not make it into the final article was the confirmation that Hublot would once again be featuring an innovative display case developed by Dietlin Artisans in Lausanne.

After revolutionising the world of watch displays with its Raptor and Sphere display cases in previous years, Dietlin Artisans, based near Lausanne in Switzerland, once again produced the highlight of this year’s BaselWorld with its Levitation display case.

The company teasingly allowed speculation as to how the case worked to develop over a few weeks during and after BaselWorld, with one report that the display case used pressurised gas prompting a minor security alert at the fair. Other suggestions were that the case used magnets, fishing line or mirrors to produce its effect, which leaves the watch and a small selection of components apparently floating in mid-air.

Dietlin Artisans now reveal that none of these theories, or indeed any of the other more fanciful notions that were expressed by intrigued passers-by during the fair, are correct and that “extremely few” visitors found the correct solution to the illusion. This is based on the same principles used in traditional “mysterious” clocks and watches, in which visible elements of moving parts are replaced by invisible sapphire crystals.

The brains behind the case are already working on their next show-stopping concept for Hublot’s new stand for the new and improved BaselWorld 2013.