Update from the workshop

 

2023 was a huge year for us in the workshop. We hired three new machinists in the last 12 months, hired a mechanical engineering intern in just the last month and grew our project list massively. As many of you know, we have a sister business called NH Micro that uses our capabilities to manufacture high precision parts for parallel industries. We manufactured parts that are in satellites that are currently in orbit, in medical devices that are currently in people's bodies, parts for particle accelerators, components for telescopes, assemblies for quantum computers... the list goes on. 2023 proved that Australia sees tremendous value in onshoring its manufacturing, and that the AU manufacturing market has strong demands in sourcing highly precise, highly demanding components. We saw that our skills that are birthed from watchmaking are valued in nearly every field outside of horology, yet in weird ways, it always seems to come back to timekeeping. On the NHW side, we manufactured more watches in more ranges this year than any other year. Our yearly production still sits just under 100 watches per year, which for a small company like ours is a mammoth task. We manufactured four new colours of MK2's, made an entry into a world-wide watchmaking competition, and have made tremendous headway on our NH55 watches (more information to come shortly!). We invested in more equipment, focusing on polishing, metrology (measuring) and surface finishing. And most importantly we were "chained to the bench". Every after-sales query was handled and resolved by Andrew - promptly and accurately. Growth is a strange concept sometimes, it can quickly vary from feeling like your wheels are spinning in the mud, to moving at a significant portion of the speed of light. But despite either feeling, there is a constant. The people. Nothing would be possible without our team. So, to the team; Gemma, Andrew, Emily, Nick, and Tanya in Castlereagh St, Josh L., Declan, Fred, and Victor in the workshop, thank you. So it leaves a biting question... what's in store for 2024? Well, man makes plans, and God laughs. So who knows, but if you keep reading along with this newsletter I'm sure you will find out... Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. Josh

One of the smallest parts we've made in 2023. Each slot is 60 microns wide, the part is 180 microns thick, and about 400 microns in diameter. Was not even quoted by Swiss, German or American machine shops.