Update from the workshop:

 

As many of you already know, our workshop in Brookvale has evolved over the last years. Not only do we make watches like the NH3 and MK II, we also have a separate business that focuses on making high precision components for parallel sectors. Scientific instrumentation, opto-mechanics, quantum computing and medical parts to name a few. This separate business, called NH Micro has been growing rapidly in the last 3 years, the growth has exposed us to some quite incredible projects. We've talked about a few in this newsletter. Building telescopes that will inquire deeper about the origins of the universe, medical devices that save and improve lives, and technologies that will help revolutionise AI, computing and consumer products. This last week we completed a very intricate, very delicate part that we are excited to share some photos of! The part is used in an opto-mechanical application - think lenses, lasers and parts that have to move very precisely. This specific part is what is called a "flexure". The small, thin cuts in the material intentionally introduce flexibility to the part. The design of the thin cuts is very carefully tuned so that the "flexing" is very defined, resulting in precise motion in the X and Y axes.

Flexures like this are cut on our Wire EDM machine and the blanks are made in our Kern Micro HD - two of the most precise machines in Australia coming together to make complex, intricate parts! To see more of this type of work, and pictures of the parts and processes in the workshop, follow NH Micro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhmicro/

Update from the workshop:

As we've mentioned previously, we will be entering the Louis Vuitton competition for independent watchmakers. There are just under 2 months left before the deadline closes, so we are working full steam ahead to finish up the watch that we will be entering into the competition! Currently Declan (our Canadian CNC machinist) is working on the case for that watch. Cases are not an easy part to make, but Declan is almost completely autonomously handling the project. Here are a few pictures of the case in-progress! Josh

Top Tier Tuna

 

In 1975, after a complaint from a saturation diver, Seiko began designing the perfect watch to meet the needs of this particular market. After 5 years, the world's most advanced diving watch, nicknamed the "Tuna", was created. The nickname came from the watch's cylindrical slab of lug-less casing.

Due to the brilliant design of this watch by Seiko engineers, led by Iko Tokunga, this watch was able to wholly meet the needs of this market and instantly became a modern classic for Seiko. With a watch that could not be affected by helium gas penetration and could withstand pressure up to 600m underwater, the Tuna quickly became a must have for these divers.

The case construction, dial layout, hour markers and crown of the current SLA041J are all true to the 1975 original. However, amazingly enough, the watch is now water resistant up to 1000m! Additionally, the outer case material is zirconia ceramic - this material is seven times harder than steel, safely protecting the case from shock.

This watch, which includes all the innovative features of the original, as well as new and improved features, is a must have for all professional divers or collectors!

On offer today we have the current Seiko 1975 Professional Divers Re-creation Tuna SLA041J which is also the 55th anniversary model - water resistance now 1000 metres! 52.4mm case size. Titanium with Ever-Brilliant Steel case and silicone strap. Sapphire crystal. Automatic movement with the much loved Grand Seiko 8L35 calibre.  Boutique price: $6,950 limited to 1100 watches worldwide.