I found out about Naoya Hida from an article published on SJX. He had just announced his first watch, the Type 1B and the pictures of it intrigued me. I went to see the watch in Tokyo in early 2019. It was even better in person. The only thing better than the watch was getting to know Hida-san. Since our meeting, we became good friends, then we developed a business relationship and The Armoury became a dealer for Hida-san’s watches. In 2022, we released a watch that we designed together called the “Lettercutter”. His experience and knowledge in watches are exceptional and I am eternally grateful for his guidance over the years. 

The Type 1B is not without its flaws but it is simply beautiful. The balance and proportion of the watch as a whole is perfect. The finishes of the dial are subtle and sophisticated. The Breguet numerals are artfully engraved. The blued hands are voluptuously attractive contrasting against the case that is sturdy, precise and a pleasure to handle. It is a watch that excites me. 

I think that at the end of the day, the most important thing with a watch is that you must feel something. Complications, composition, craftsmanship, chronometry, all these things matter but what matters the most is the feeling you get when you wear it. The internet has greatly improved people’s appreciation of horology but for all the reviews you might read online covering the technical, tangible points of a watch, rarely is the sense that a watch gives you communicated. I encourage you all in your collecting pursuits to go out there, see and handle as many watches as you can, own them if possible and then come to your own conclusions. 

Of all the watches in this book, excluding the Rolex Explorer which I had for a very long time, I wore this one the most. It was the easiest watch for me to buy and the hardest for me to let go. It wasn’t difficult for sentimental reasons, I simply like this watch so much and wear it so often that whatever watch I would wear instead would have big shoes to fill. I decided to let it go because I want to make room for what comes next from my friendship with Naoya Hida. 

p.s. Since 2019 when this watch was first made, Hida-san has made clear advances in his dial making ability. For the sale, I asked Hida-san to replace the dial in the watch with the latest of his production. Of course, I also saved the original dial and it comes with the watch so you can compare the differences in the two.