New Indie Watchmaker Havid Nagan and the HN00 Watch

After two and a half years of solitary growth, the model Havid Nagan and its debut watch lastly make their official debut. With no formal coaching as a watchmaker, Aren Bazerkanian based his Havid Nagan microbrand in Los Angeles and depends on Swiss manufactures primarily based in La Chaux-de-Fonds to convey his designs to life. Judging from the press photos, the inaugural HN00 fashions deserve a re-evaluation. A easy time-only watch, the HN00 comes with vibrant, eye-catching guilloché dials. The daring architectural circumstances are additionally noteworthy and home the personalized Schwarz Etienne computerized motion. 

Uncommon Case

The inspiration for the geometry of the case comes, as Aren Bazerkanian admits, from his former profession in actual property in Los Angeles. The daring structure of the HN00 is, partly, motivated by the works of architect Paul McClean whose properties are characterised by rectangular and sq. shapes with panoramic home windows framing the cityscape.

With a diameter of 40.7mm and a thickness of 11.6mm, the tri-partite development is fabricated from grade 5 titanium with built-in hooded lugs and a water-resistance of 100m. Much like a cushion-shaped case however with a pronounced stepped profile, the titanium case reveals a pronounced curvature to adapt to the wrist. The rounded bezel surmounting the vertically brushed stepped construction is polished for distinction and frames the eye-catching dials.

Textured & vibrant dials

Obsessive about the works and world of Abraham-Louis Breguet, Bazerkanian needed the dial to honour the ornamental strategy of guilloché that Breguet famously employed on his dials. Obtainable in three interesting colors – Arka Blue, Jade and Plum – the dials are embellished with a grain d’orge or barleycorn guilloché sample that radiates from the dial’s centre. They aren’t really made utilizing guilloché however stamped to maintain prices down after which lacquered and polished to play with the sunshine.

Utilized, polished metal indices with a streak of lume down their spines and easy baton-style hour and minute arms – additionally with Tremendous-LumiNova – point out the time. The utilized emblem at midday is a reference to Bazerkanian’s tradition and is a illustration of the Armenian ‘Arevakhach’ or Solar cross, a spiralling motif that may be a image of eternity. For a lot of, the shortage of a central seconds hand and a date window is irrelevant and contributes to the elegant, clear dial.

Schwarz Etienne computerized

The watch is powered by an computerized Schwarz Etienne motion – calibre ASE 200 – with its off-centred micro-rotor delivering an influence reserve of 86 hours. A curved sapphire crystal offers a view of the motion that has been customised for the model with a darkish NAC remedy on the bridges and mainplate for a extra modern really feel. Though there are extra conventional finishings like vertical Côtes de Genève and perlage on the mainplate, there isn’t a anglage to maintain the value in verify. The micro-rotor is inscribed with the phrase ‘Paradox’, and the barrel cap is embellished with the Armenian Solar cross.

The proprietary leather-based straps had been entrusted to Jean-Rousseau and are held in place by two screws on the caseback for a fluid, built-in look.

availability & value

The HN00 Arka Blue is restricted to 100 items, whereas the Jade and Plum ought to turn into common members of the fledgling assortment. The retail value of the HN00 is USD 8,000, and the watch launches within the second quarter of 2022. As a newcomer to the watch scene, the value is steep. Nonetheless, we are going to decide whether or not that is totally justified as soon as we get our arms on the watch and take a look at it in nearer element.

Extra info at Havid Nagan.