For the last 12 months we have been working
on our next release from NHW. While it's still far too early to talk
about the watch, I can say that it's pushing the limits of our
manufacturing, in the best way possible.
In this photo below, you can see a component called a "stud". It's an
incredibly small part that holds onto the hairspring of the watch. Like
all components in a watch, the stud is very tightly toleranced, and
requires the utmost care in design, manufacturing, assembly and
decoration.
Our in-house,
NHW stud is made from titanium, which is very rare - usually studs are
made from either steel, which is magnetic and may influence the very
fine motion of the hairspring, or from brass. Titanium offers superior
strength, anti-magnetic properties, and is light, corrosion resistant
and holds a very good aesthetic finish.
Manufacturing something this small is a feat of our machinists here at
NHW. Burrs, cracks, nicks, or any other defect totally destroy the
function or aesthetic quality of the part. Even a small scratch, a 10th
of the size of your hair, would render this stud useless!
10 years ago if you told me that this part was going to be in my palm,
made by our internal workshop... I wouldn't have believed it, but here
we are. Modern artisanal watchmaking, Manufactured in Australia.
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