Naoya Hida NH Type 6A Perpetual Calendar

Borna Bošnjak

• Naoya Hida combines hand-engraving and diminutive case dimensions with a high-end complication for the primary time within the NH Sort 6A perpetual calendar.
• The Japanese artisan watchmaker has enlisted Habring² to provide its base, manually wound calibre, with the perpetual calendar module bought from Dubois-Dépraz.
• With just some 10 items to be produced over the subsequent 12 months, the punchy ¥7,500,000 price ticket is probably going to not have too large of an affect.

In what’s turn out to be considerably of a practice, the tip of the primary quarter means one other set of releases for the upcoming yr for Naoya Hida. The model has revealed its full line-up for 2025 and half of 2026, and whereas it does embody a brand new variant of the Sort 3 moonphase and rectangular Sort 5 (alongside some new deployant clasps), the headlining information is the introduction of their first correct complication – a perpetual calendar.

The Naoya Hida Sort 6A displays this complication in what has now turn out to be a recognisable home model, with a largely monochromatic color scheme highlighted by elegantly hued fingers and a totally hand-engraved dial. For a boutique maker that also makes use of 7750 gear trains for many of its actions, it’s unreasonable to anticipate an all-new perpetual calendar calibre, and that’s not the case right here both. As an alternative, Naoya Hida has secured a partnership with revered Austrian indie duo of Maria and Richard Habring, who will present their base A11 calibre, whereas the perpetual calendar module comes from Dubois-Dépraz.

Though the model is a relative newcomer, its founding members are actually no spring chickens in relation to the watch world, so it needs to be no shock that the NH look is already fairly well-established. The stepped bezel and enormous, flat crowns of the Calatrava-like case are all in 904L metal and completed superbly regardless of their somewhat simplistic form. And with a 37mm diameter, I recognize NH sticking to their weapons in relation to sizing. I’d like to see the 11.5mm top shrunk even additional, although that’s only a actuality of working with a modular motion.

One factor that basically does irk me, and I’m guessing I gained’t be alone, is the execution of the calendar correctors. We’ve seen many a intelligent resolution to this drawback, from hiding them behind lugs to not having them in any respect. Naturally, I’m not anticipating Naoya Hida to develop a brand new, crown-operated QP that they’ll produce in a handful of examples every year – it actually wouldn’t make a lot sense – however if you’re charging valuable metallic Patek QP cash, I do anticipate just a little extra.

One of many issues that has drawn me to Naoya Hida probably the most has been the model’s use of hand-engraving, particularly in watches just like the Lettercutter. I’m glad to see that the abilities of in-house engraver Keisuke Kano have been put to good use for the sterling silver dial of the Sort 6A, because it options hand-engraved sub-dials, too. Regardless of their blocky, serifed model, the dial is legible and symmetrical, with blued fingers for the calendar indications, and 18k gold feuille fingers for the hours and minutes. I additionally need to level out using a grained disc with a dot for the bissextile year, avoiding a doubtlessly complicated, coaxial set of fingers.

Till the aforementioned, squared-off Sort 5, Naoya Hida hid (I’m certain there’s a pun in there someplace) its actions behind strong casebacks. I’m not too certain why the Sort 6 was chosen to proceed this pattern, as aside from the concentric striping on the massive plate, the motion isn’t ornately embellished in any respect. There are a couple of polished sinks across the jewels, however no anglage or blued screws. Named the 3025PC, the motion boasts a 45-hour energy reserve, and its most notable modification by Naoya Hida is the winding mechanism, because it makes use of NH’s signature click on really feel that was impressed by the winding of classic actions.

I’ve briefly touched on this motion’s development, however it’s price mentioning it once more. Dubois-Dépraz is a well-respected maker of complication modules, and the Habring base calibre will certainly be acquainted to the Japanese model, given it additionally borrows some design cues from the Valjoux 7750’s wheel prepare. If it sounds acquainted, particularly given the Habring connection, it’s as a result of it’s. The Chrono Felix Perpetual sports activities an much more complicated model of this motion, including a monopusher chronograph into the combo.

And that is the place I start to marvel. At almost A$80,000, the Sort 6A is priced very, very optimistically. The Habring is lower than half the value, as are most watches with Dubois-Dépraz QP modules (like this Baume & Mercier Riviera), and I needn’t level out how a lot horological horsepower you may get in your wrist for an equal sum. The artisan strategy is undoubtedly there, and I’m certain that it, mixed with the draw of small-scale manufacturing, can be sufficient to lure the few patrons that can really be capable to safe one in all these items. Nonetheless, figuring out how well-considered Naoya Hida’s designs have been previously, and experiencing the craftsmanship of a few of their different watches in particular person, I’m left to marvel simply how good this watch might’ve been.

Naoya Hida NH Sort 6A pricing and availability

The NH Sort 6A can be produced in roughly 10 examples between 2025 and 2026. Value (excl. tax): ¥7,500,000 (~A$80,000)