Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to get in touch with a number of creations from the Rising Sun, delving deeper into the philosophy that inspires them. If we wanted to draw a common thread among them, two distinctive elements would emerge: meticulous attention to detail and inspiration drawn from the most diverse fields.
After the auction organized by Phillips in Hong Kong, entirely dedicated to Japanese creations and able to draw great attention to this industry, I had the opportunity to study these watches closely. I talked about them in a dedicated article, being fascinated both by the more classic models, linked to the watchmaking tradition to which we are accustomed in Europe, and by more innovative proposals, which stand out for their out-of-the-box design and which are enjoying particular success, especially among younger people.
In this article, however, I want to focus on one of the most interesting brands in the field of classical watchmaking-Naoya Hida. I will analyze in detail one of its latest creations, the new Type 5A, characterized by its elegant rectangular case.
Let’s find out together!
The characteristics of the Naoya Hida Type 5A
During the annual lotteries that award the brand’s limited production, Naoya Hida usually updates the catalog, making minor changes to existing references and introducing or eliminating certain models.
Last year, just in conjunction with the presentation of these novelties, the brand added a new watch to its catalog, which is distinguished by its rectangular shape: Naoya Hida Type 5A. This design represents a stark difference from the house’s iconic 37 mm diameter Jumbo cases, while maintaining a link to vintage inspiration without straying from the needs of modern audiences.
The Naoya Hida Type 5A features a steel case paired with a leather strap, with dimensions of 33 mm long, 26 mm wide, and 9.1 mm thick. The lug-to-lug of 43.5 mm gives balanced proportions suited to contemporary standards.
The inspiration for this model comes from the rectangular creations of the 1940s, in particular the Cartier Étanche à Double Boîtier, which was produced in very few pieces and was known for its water-resistant case. In this case, Naoya Hida’s creation offers awater resistance of 30 meters, enough for worry-free daily use.
The dial is distinguished by its extreme neatness, with a subdial at six o’clock and engraved hour markers, among which the one at twelve o’clock stands out, made exclusively with Roman numerals. On the inside of the chapter ring, the only engraving present is the brand name and its headquarters, Tokyo.
The hands, cut in a concave fashion, contribute to the essential and refined aesthetic of the watch.
As for the hand-wound movement, the model is equipped with Cal. 252SS, based on the Peseux 7001, whose shape perfectly fits the rectangular case. The power reserve is about 38 hours.
Price and availability
Production of Naoya Hida watches is, of course, extremely limited. Suffice it to say that in the brand’s six years of operation, only 243 pieces have been made, with a planned production of just 10 units of the Type 5A model for this year.
For the first year, orders were quickly sold out. However, if you are interested, expressions of interest for the next production run will reopen soon.
The price of this timepiece is 3,000,000 yen (about EUR 18,700, excluding tax).
Conclusion
I find this novelty by Naoya Hida an extraordinary initiative, capable of standing out from the aesthetic canons that have characterized the brand since its entry into the independent watchmaking scene in recent years.
Such a high-quality watch with an unusual shape has been missing in the industry. This model fits perfectly into the current trend of watches with innovative designs enjoying increasing appreciation, especially among the younger generation.
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