Every preacher's favourite quote

If you've grown up as a Christian, then you have surely heard "every preacher's favourite quote": "When we arrive to heaven, we will be surprised by three things. First, that some saints who we've believed should be in heaven didn't actually make it. Second, that many of those who we've called sinners are there. And the biggest surprise of all: that we, ourselves, made it too." I like to call this a prediction paradox: the less we know about the subject, the bolder we are about making predictions. Scientists are no different from believers. Most of their predictions completely miss the mark, or, are placed so far in the future that as such, make little or no relevance to us. Somehow, it is much more difficult to predict what will happen in ten years from now, than in a thousand years. Apparently, the problem with the future is that we cling onto the past so hard, all those great novel ideas simply have no chance to develop and blossom. In other words, humans are terrible risk takers. Here is my problem: in order to stay in the watch business, I should be able to predict the future with at least some degree of accuracy. The absolutely crucial question is this one: would we in one hundred years from now still wear watches that display the time in a direct, analogue way? Meaning: are we going to wear watches with hands or digital watches, which display time with numbers?

Before we go any further, here is my original prediction on a completely different subject. I predict that in one hundred years from now, all men's pants will still have a zipper. And that zipper is going to be in exactly the same place that it is today. I also predict that humans will still use screwdrivers and hammers, and both tools will look exactly as they look today. In other words, some devices are simply perfected by our rigid human anatomy, while others are perfected by necessity and functionality. To extrapolate to watches: there is no better place to place a wrist watch, then to strap it to your wrist. And there is no easier way to tell the time but to 'read it' from the relative position of hour and minute hands. We've tried digital readouts, but digitalization never took off. For two simple reasons: firstly, we've been reading analogue time for at least 800 years, so we are used to it. Secondly, and more importantly, 13:06:15 can not be processed subconsciously because digital format requires mental effort. There are numerous advantages to a watch with hands: for example, we can tell time fairly accurately even with the hour hand alone (digital watches displaying hours only are terribly inaccurate). The analogue works because it make sense: the hour hand follows the rotation of earth around it's axis (and especially so with watches with a 24 hours format). On the other hand, digital watches merely reinterpret analogue time in different format. Which brings us to the final conclusion - and a prediction. The time itself, as we can see it and experience it, is an analogue phenomenon. And as long as earth continues to turn around it's axis, it would only make sense to display it in a same way. The future is bright; let's invest in a hands making machine!

Important. Please read.

As I type this, our Kern Micro is to be loaded on a ship at Bremerhaven port, Germany, to start its voyage to Sydney. It is expected to arrive in March. Once installed, it will be the most precise 5 axis milling machine - not only in Australia, but in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Our machine was commissioned in March 2021, built per our specification and paid off in full last week.  We shook hands with the Germans over zoom, and they delivered as promised, on time, as per specs. Now, it is all in God's hands; we pray for calm seas and a safe voyage. Yes, the machine is fully insured as well, just in case. However, once the new mill arrives, we are still not done. Here is the timeline: March: GST payable on import (100K), transport costs (21K), local installation (10K) April: German engineers arriving; installation and calibration (50K) May: tooling (50-75K, initial setup) July: 10 days training in Germany (25K) First parts to be machined: September 2022. Clearly, we are not there yet. The next 10 months are going to be packed with action, the acquisition of tools, and learning how to get most out of this demanding 'Ferrari' of precision manufacturing. And we will continue to bleed cash.  I am not sharing all of this just to brag about it. I am sharing the excitement because we need to plan for the future. Together. There is no better way to support Australian manufacturing than to invest in an Australian watch. Here is the deal: today, I am happy to offer Mark 1 (40mm automatic watch) on 10 monthly instalments, at $360 per month. And because our business is based on trust, I am happy to ship that Mark 1 the moment we shake hands on the deal.  I trust you will do the right thing and pay off your watch over the next 10 months.  While a $360 monthly instalment is not that much money, your continued support will mean a lot to us. It will provide us with the peace of mind and enable us to complete the project, on time.  As a very special 'thank you for your support' I will throw in a 10 year guarantee on your Mark 1. That will include a complete overhaul when the watch is due for one, in 5 years time - completely free of charge.  To place your order now, and have the watch shipped today, reply to this email and Gemma will get back to you ASAP. $360 per month, that's all. You will love your Mark 1 and you will wear it with pride. Guaranteed. I will leave you with the below feedback on this very watch, received over the weekend. "Hi Nick I am sure you meet many people and may not remember me, but I vividly remember the day we met at your shop. Your story inspired me so much that I insisted to Gemma that I see you when I came to collect my MK1. She was reluctant and with my persistence got her to get you to see me. I am glad you did and for releasing your lucky serial number 88 to me.  I am continuing to tell the inspiring story of the Aussie Made watch movement to the younger generation. The MK1 has found a new home on the wrist of my son, on his first day of work. I told him that the watch represents hard work, a will to win and most of all a lifetime of dedication to excellence in watchmaking, and for him to reflect and live by those values each day he works. The watch has not left his wrist and I thank you for continuing to stand for your passion and not giving up on a dream. Your humble supporter, Karl"

The big deal

Señor Arturo has been supplying spare parts to the watch industry for too many years to count. As with every other dealer, his stock of genuine parts is now dilapidated. To keep his customers in business, he expanded to alternative suppliers. Chinese, for the most. When dealing with señor Arturo, one has to ask the right questions. Like: "Is this a genuine Swiss part?" More often than not, the answer is a jovial "Yes, like Swiss, but better!"   "Like Swiss, but better" means take it or leave it. Like Swiss, but better is a profound way of saying that life is complex, and rarely as it seems. And that "better" is an elusive quantity. NH Mark 1 watch is exactly that: like Swiss, but better. Yet for an Australian watch lover, Mark 1 is not just a better deal, it is a great deal. It is testimony that hard work does pay off, and that 'genuinely Australian' means Australian, genuinely. To all Mark 1 ambassadors: thank you.

NH1 Mark 1, steel on leather strap, 40mm case. Automatic, date. $2,800.

"Hey, what is the best way to support the NH project?"

 

It's easy: there is one watch that is incredibly important to us - and if you really want to support us, then this is the one you should buy: NH Mark 1. 1. Why? Because this is the only watch that brings in generous profit. We make more money on Mark 1 than on any other watch we sell. The reason is simple: it is a mature project where the initial investment in development and design has been long paid off. The Soprod (Swiss) movement is issue free. No under-guarantee returns and plenty of happy customers. Perfect 40mm size. 2. When you invest in Mark 1, you are DIRECTLY investing in the future of Australian manufacturing. All the profit stays here and all the taxes - from GST to company tax, to individual tax - stay in Australia. Mark 1 enables us to employ and train apprentices, to invest in machinery, and to grow.  We are very proud that we can offer you this unique opportunity: to be a proud owner of an Australian watch. Mark 1 is designed and assembled in Australia by watchmaker(s) who also make watches - in Australia. Generations of accumulated watchmaking skills and expertise are built into the Mark 1 and unlike almost all other watches, YOUR Mark 1 is assembled by an actual watchmaker you know; one who cares about you as much he cares about your watch. Can you assign a dollar value to that? Price - unchanged since very first release, still the same: $2,800. In stock, ready for immediate delivery.

Mark 1

 

One thing I don't feel comfortable talking about is my own watch: Mark 1. Yet funnily enough, this is a watch that deserves much more attention in our newsletter than probably all of the rest. Here is why: Mark 1 is a watch designed and assembled in our Sydney workshop, after two years of design and 18 months of waiting time for components to arrive. It is a project literally 'locked in time', meaning that if we were to do it again, it would take more time and significantly more money to release a batch of 200 watches. Travelling to Switzerland is a thing of the past and we have no idea when we will be able to travel again. The state of the Swiss manufacturing industry as a whole is uncertain and small independent makers like Soprod (the maker of the Mark 1 movement) are hit hard. Even Patek Phillipe's output is down 30% this year. The first watch was assembled on April 26, 2019 and so far 135 watches have been sold - and most of them are worn daily. Mark 1 is meant to be worn - it is a comfortable 40mm timepiece of an unmistakeable vintage look, yet a truly modern watch capable of chronometer certification time keeping. It is an elegant 'no show off' unisex watch. The quality of the Soprod movement is astonishing. Have a look at the "cote de Genève" finish; the engraving, fine plating, the surface finishing. This is the difference between a mechanism you find in a $500 watch and one fitted in a $5000 dollars watch. If you are into watches, you will easily recognize those details.  However, the beauty of our project is in the fact that Mark 1 is not just a great timekeeper: it is a very robust and highly reliable watch. In the past year and a half, out of 135 watches only five have been returned to our workshop: two suffered from being dropped on a hard surface; two needed a very minor adjustment and one came back because of a paint particle stuck on the glass. All five issues were resolved quickly, at no cost to the customer - even in the two cases where damage is caused by a customer's lack of care. This is what I am proud of and this is what Mark 1 owners should expect in the future; the best service experience possible on a watch built to last for generations. And this is why - that, to my knowledge, not a single Mark 1 has been offered on the second hand market. And of course, there is a one major reason why you should add a Mark 1 to your collection: to help us grow. Each watch sold brings us closer to that 'next level', a dedicated watch manufactory we intend to build in Mittagong - a facility that will provide opportunities for learning and making, an opportunity to train and employ young Australians in an exciting field of micro mechanics and the art of horology. Mark 1 is $2,800 and ready for immediate delivery. I challenge you to find a better high grade watch for this money with better post sale support by a more reputable independent watchmaker. If you do, then do let me know: I'll buy one myself. Mark 1: proudly Australian.

Your First Watch

Our last subscriber survey that was conducted a couple of years ago revealed that 40% of you have between 3 and 5 high grade watches. 45% have more than 5, and about 10% of subscribers are yet to buy their first serious watch. If you are a member of the latter group, then this article is specifically for you.

5 Reasons why an Omega Seamaster James Bond Quartz should be your first watch 1. The blue Seamaster James Bond is simply a well-made timepiece. A very accurate quartz mechanism fitted in a 300m well-machined stainless steel case means longevity. It is a watch built to last forever and I really like that. 2. Easy to fix. I'm not exaggerating: Seamaster quartz is the easiest watch to repair. It is actually so easy that I could train any able-bodied person with average eye sight to fix it within two weeks. And yes, easy to fix means affordable low-cost maintenance. 3. Put simply, it is a good looking watch. Blue dial, blue bezel, 41mm case size, a perfect match for any wrist size. A watch that will compliment your smart casual look; a watch for all occasions. 4. Omega is a Swiss brand on the rise. In recent years, Omega is not only filling the market gap voided by Rolex, but Omega watches are now significantly more expensive than some gold diamond studded Rolex watches. Quite frankly, we didn't see this coming. The quality of new Omega watches, especially of inner mechanisms, has already surpassed Rolex. Unless Rolex raises their game, it is just a matter of time before Omega becomes the new Rolex. 5. Fantastic value for money. Yes, paying around $3,000 for a 10 to 15 year old Omega sports watch might sound a lot to a first time buyer. But there is simply no other Swiss watch in this price range that competes with a good old James Bond. If you invest in one, you will have a watch for life that will serve you well and that you will be proud to pass on. I'm not paid by Omega to speak highly of their watches, and yes there are plenty of Omega models that I certainly would not be interested in. But the reasons quoted here are genuine and the result of 20 years dealing in Seamaster James Bond. I am so serious about this recommendation that you can test me. Even if it came down to Omega James Bond vs my own Mark 1, I would still say that your first watch should be James Bond... And then your second watch should be NH Mark 1.

Good News

It has been 6 months since we delivered the first Mark 1 NH wristwatch and during this, time we have assembled and delivered just over 100 watches. Mark 1 is a 40mm automatic watch designed and assembled in our workshop and powered up by a Swiss made mechanism. Here is the good news: In the past 6 months, we've only had one case where the watch has been returned to our workshop. It needed a minor adjustment of a single component in the Swiss mechanism, taking only a few minutes to rectify. Super easy! So far the 'under guarantee' return rate is under 1%, way below the industry standard and clearly, we are proud of it. Based on the above, we are now happy to offer 10 years guarantee on Mark 1 watches which also includes the watches sold so far. There is only one condition: You need to reply to this offer simply by saying "Yes, I'll take it"  with your Mark 1 serial number. The 10 years guarantee will include all the parts and labour as well as the first complete overhaul, which will be due in 5 years time. Not a cent to spend! Thanks to your unreserved support we will continue to push the horological boundaries and strive to offer post sale service like no other watch brand.

Mark 1 $2,800. In stock and ready for immediate delivery.

Mark 1 - Taking Orders Now

*** Mark 1: Taking Orders Now!

After almost 2 years in development, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Not quite yet there, but not too far either.

Yes, I am now ready to take your order - so feel free to put your name down.

Before we go any further: a brief introduction to the project:

MK1 is a 40mm case steel watch on a leather strap. The mechanism is Swiss-made automatic with a central sweep hand and date function. The watch is fully water resistant to 10atm.

The mechanism is a high grade, high accuracy chronometer specs movement with signed, custom made rotor with Geneva stripes.  It is as good as any high grade Swiss movement commonly found in IWC Mark 16/17/18. Accurate, reliable and - most importantly - repairable.

The case is 3 finish 316L steel with transparent screw lock case back and screw lock crown in the style of 1950- 60's wristwatches, but more robust and with a modern twist. Case lugs spacing is 19mm, which is a hallmark of our original, in-house design.

The dial and hands colour scheme closely follows our traditional 'rebelde style': black matte background, cream luminous markers and hands, with a hint of red. Those of you who are following us may remember that we invited suggestions for the dial design. Over 30 proposals were submitted - and we selected two winning designs.  However, due to a number of reasons both proposals proved too much of a challenge for two dial makers. My resources and patience was stretched so thin that after 6 months of pain and stress the decision was made to go back to a simple but proven design. This is in no way to show any disrespect to any of you who kindly tried to help - rather a practical cut which helped get the project back on track.

Leather Strap Choice

We are working on a selection of leather straps (Italian leather, American horween leather, as well as locally made kangaroo and crocodile straps).  There will be no shortage of a suitable strap for Mark1.

Timeline: all components except the dial and hands are now in stock. The delivery of dials is expected in April, allowing me to commence assembly.  Assuming no major hiccups, the first MK1 should be ready for delivery on June 1.

Fine tuning: sapphire crystal! I am not a big fan of anti-reflective coating. AR is a two-edged sword: while it does reduce reflection on the dial surfaces, it introduces a bluish tint. Also, when applied externally, it is relatively easy to scratch. IWC, Omega, Breitling as well as all other high grade watchmakers face the same challenges and no-one has come up with a perfect solution. Right now, I am talking to an AR coating specialist capable of coating crystals 'from underneath '.  Again, this could turn out to be a very minor improvement to minor glaring but any improvement would be beneficial.  The good news is that a new crystal installation should not slow down the overall assembly.

Finally, a clarification:

Mark 1 is not an Australian MADE watch project which is a different chapter altogether. But like with all other rebelde watches, MK1 components are manufactured overseas, as per our design. We deal with 11 part manufacturers who make components from our own design drawings, and MK1 will be completely assembled in our Castlereagh St workshop. Accordingly, the dial is proudly signed "Assembled in Australia" .

The case back is also signed "67 Castlereagh St" - a proud statement of the place your watch was born and took its first breath.  Again, each MK1 will be completely assembled by myself, leaving only minor tasks to assistants (strap and buckle installation, water resistance testing, timekeeping checking, packaging, etc).

First production run: 199 pieces, W1-W200.

Price $2,800

To place your order simply email nick@clockmaker.com.au

To avoid any unnecessary pressure: no deposit is required - a simple email is sufficient to secure your place in line. Once your watch is assembled you will be invoiced for the full amount.  During the following weeks after assembly, the watch will undergo final timekeeping checks and adjustments and then it will be ready for shipping.

Current rebelde owners will have the chance to pick their serial numbers, whenever possible.

The order of delivery: first orders first.

Of course, you are welcome to visit us and try one of two MK1s which are fully assembled and functional.  Please call for an appointment on (02) 9232-0500 to order or view your Nicholas Hacko Mark1 watch.

Need a watchmaker's loupe?  Visit our online shop: - http://shop.clockmaker.com.au/