What makes a watch "collectable"?

 

Definition A collectable refers to an item worth significantly more than it was initially sold for because of its rarity or popularity. Are wrist watches collectable? Only a tiny fraction of all watches in circulation are collectable, have collectable potential, and are worth collecting. The vast majority of watches are intended to be simply worn on the wrist for practical reasons (because they tell time!) or as a fashion / jewellery piece.  What makes a watch a 'collectable'? There are a few 'key ingredients'. Rarity (small production run), popularity ('iconic model'), association with a celebrity or historical event, being made by a reputable / famous maker or a brand. What is important? Condition, condition, condition. That relates to all aspects of the physical, mechanical and aesthetical properties of a watch. A watch 'put together' from bits and pieces which may be original, but from a different era would be far less desirable than one which contains parts that started life together on the assembly line. A watch which comes with original box, certificate, instruction manual and guarantee card is regarded as a complete set. Such pieces are highly desirable by collectors. Obviously, a watch has to keep time to be regarded as a watch. What else? A collectable watch is one that is well documented and well researched, down to the most minute detail. Reference books, historical sales records, manufacturer's catalogues, ownership data, provenance - all the 'supporting' information associated with a brand and model - to help us determine why two seemingly identical pieces vary in price, often significantly.  Practical example Here is an example of a watch regarded as a perfect collectable piece in the entry level price range. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, Apollo 17.

The ref. 3574.51.00 is a limited edition of 3000 pieces introduced in 2002. While the dial is the same as the regular 3570.50.00, it features a special caseback commemorating the 1972 Apollo XVII mission and E.A. Cernan being the last man to set foot on the moon. Issue: 3,000 watches, individually numbered. No 0161/3000. Sold new in 2004. Overall condition: very fine, 9.8/10. This rating means that while the watch has been worn, it was worn sporadically, by a careful owner. Very lightly polished, showing no external imperfections. The dial and hands are spotless 10/10. The watch is an excellent timekeeper. The chronograph function: perfect. Water resistant.  Full set. The watch comes with original commemorative box which itself is in exceptional condition, the outer box, the plastic hang tag showing model reference number and serial number, intact Certificate of Authenticity, numbered. Also, it comes with original the Operating Instruction booklet, International warranty card correctly stamped, showing the date of sale and dealers details, movement serial number and model reference, and pictogram card. Value While we have no crystal ball to predict the future market trends, this watch is a perfect example of a rare, well documented, historically important model by Omega. A complete set like this will always find a keen buyer / investor, today, as well in the years to come. The event commemorated by this issue still stands as an unbroken record of human achievement - for the past 52 years, no human has stepped on the moon. And even if somehow we do have a manned lunar mission, such a milestone would only reinforce the historical importance of this piece. In my opinion, there is plenty of potential for further growth in popularity of the Cernan Moonwatch. Best of all: a piece like this could be enjoyed and worn by a careful owner for many years to come, without further affecting the overall condition.  Not only you can have your cake - and eat it, but finding a better example than this one could be a daunting task, especially in this price range.

The Red Desert

 

The newest, latest, the greatest – a watch that SEIKO made FOR YOU! Australian Limited Edition. 1,000 pieces individually numbered. Special boxing.  Inspired by the rugged beauty of Australia’s red deserts. This is the most beautiful burgundy dial I've ever seen, in the entire Alpinist range. Special dealer allocation of two watches only: once gone, they will be gone forever.  Boutique price: $1,250

Seiko Prospex Limited Edition SPB489J 39.5mm case size. Stainless steel case and brown leather strap. Red dial. Sapphire crystal. Compass and date functions. Automatic movement - calibre 6R35. Water resistance 200 metres.

NH Micro on the moon!?

 

As many newsletter readers will know, alongside being the first Australian watch manufacturer, we also manufacture parts for parallel precision industries. This side business is called NH Micro, and operates out of our workshop in Brookvale. Over the last 4 years we’ve been manufacturing parts for the space, medical, quantum computing, scientific instrumentation, microfluidic and communication industries - to name a few. We employ a team of young Australians who have grown and developed amazing manufacturing skills. Our strength is in our people, in our talented machinists, engineers, toolmakers and watchmakers. An oasis of ultra-precision manufacturing. Recently we were approached by an Australian company to produce optomechanical components that are destined for the moon. That’s right - parts manufactured in our workshop in Brookvale, are not just going to space, but to the moon! This component is a navigational instrument that will guide a lunar lander to it’s final landing position. It uses four lasers to range-find against the lunar surface, and it will provide position and velocity feedback to the spacecraft. Reading between the lines, the tie between horology and navigation is unmistakable. Centuries after ship's chronometers made by technology-enabled horologists helped guide explorers across the globe, contemporary technology-enabled watchmakers are helping make navigational instruments for the next generation of explorers. Except, in the new frontier… space. These components are incredibly tricky to manufacture, and have pushed us to develop and invent new processes for programming, holding, and measuring the parts. The part in the photos here is not quite finished, in fact it was the first part we made. The next parts will be made from titanium instead of aluminium. We use aluminium for testing when it comes to parts like these since the cost for titanium is high, and making mistakes in aluminium is also much more gentle on the machine/tools we use. I love sharing projects like these, especially when they are not protected by confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure agreements. Enjoy! Josh Hacko

To learn more about the Australian Moon project see: https://www.advancednavigation.com/news/first-australian-company-to-reach-the-moon/

They're here: the Earth, Moon and Sun

 

Yes the new Astron has just arrived. Actually, not one, but three ‘futuristic’ edition models; the Earth, Moon and Sun. Catchy. I have been following Astron’s development for the past few years. There is no doubt that with Astron, Seiko has reached the point of movement development where there is nothing left to perfect. It’s perfect in every aspect: timekeeping, radio connection to satellite, functionality and ease of adjustment. Visually, the dial and hands are executed to the highest standard of horological manufacturing. Therefore the only area left for ‘exploration’ is the actual case, bezel and bracelet design, and perhaps, a dial texture and colour. And SEIKO is not shy to experiment, to offer new designs, to try and explore. For more than a hundred years, Seiko was equally successful in following the trends as well as starting it’s own. Earth, Moon and Sun collection is a perfect example of independent thinking. A modern watch for a modern watch enthusiast. Practical, accurate, elegant, unique. Should you add one to your ‘daily wearer’ list? Absolutely. Especially if like myself, you love Titanium. 42mm case size.  Boutique price: $3,750

Earth SSJ023J

Moon SSJ025J

Sun SSJ026J

The most 'different' watch brand in the world

The one thing all NH55 watch owners have in common: they are all different. Yet it is not the watch that makes them different - they stand out of the crowd because they already are different. NH55 is simply a perfect match. There are no two identical NH55 either. Every single piece has its own distinctive look, distinctive DNA, made from hand forged titanium, hand finished by a watchmaker who's name is on the dial. There is no other brand in the world which offers a more unique, more personal, more authentic watch. Different: the ultimate form of sophisticated expression to those who really are.   NH55 2-127

NH55 10-135 NH55 11-136

Collector Conversations, at the HSNY

 

On the 26th of September, Josh Shapiro, Bradley Taylor, and I, hosted an event for independent watch collectors at the Horological Society of New York... and it went fantastically! This was a really special night for us for two reasons: 1. This was the first international show we've ever done. For Nicholas Hacko Watchmaker, a small, independent watchmaker, an international show is monumental. It engages a whole new market segment, and showcases our work to a group of collectors that would have no ability to interact with us otherwise. New York is full of enthusiastic, passionate collectors of fine independent watchmaking, and we had an incredible turnout. We had both of our current models on display, the NH55 and the MK2. I'll tell you what... It's truly humbling when someone takes off their FP Journe Resonance or Patek Phillipe World Time to put on an NH55... and then gasp!

2. Bringing together 3 independent, class-leading watchmakers together is no small feat. Josh S., Bradley, and I, have been friends for many years, and one common theme between us is that we are incredibly passionate about "making". All three of us devote our entire lives to crafting our watches in-house, and our different approaches, techniques, and strengths, always compliment each other. In many ways, a synergy like this is ultra common... in Switzerland... but outside of the geographic centres of watchmaking, you'd be hard pressed to find this "scene". For a collector - an event like the one we hosted in New York, where 3 separate watchmakers can share their unified horological story is incredibly rare.

On the back of the success of the New York show, we are already planning on running another show in Los Angeles, September 2025. If you are in the US, keep an eye out for that! Josh