Naoya Hida releases the Type 6A perpetual calendar, rivalling equivalent Patek Philippe models (at least in price)
Borna Bošnjak- Naoya Hida combines hand-engraving and diminutive case dimensions with a high-end complication for the first time in the NH Type 6A perpetual calendar.
- The Japanese artisan watchmaker has enlisted Habring² to supply its base, manually wound calibre, with the perpetual calendar module purchased from Dubois-Dépraz.
- With only some 10 pieces to be produced over the next 12 months, the punchy ¥7,500,000 price tag is likely not to have too big of an impact.
In what’s become somewhat of a tradition, the end of the first quarter means another set of releases for the upcoming year for Naoya Hida. The brand has revealed its full line-up for 2025 and half of 2026, and while it does include a new variant of the Type 3 moonphase and rectangular Type 5 (alongside some new deployant clasps), the headlining news is the introduction of their first proper complication – a perpetual calendar.
The Naoya Hida Type 6A exhibits this complication in what has now become a recognisable house style, with a mostly monochromatic colour scheme highlighted by elegantly hued hands and a fully hand-engraved dial. For a boutique maker that still uses 7750 gear trains for most of its movements, it’s unreasonable to expect an all-new perpetual calendar calibre, and that’s not the case here either. Instead, Naoya Hida has secured a partnership with respected Austrian indie duo of Maria and Richard Habring, who will provide their base A11 calibre, while the perpetual calendar module comes from Dubois-Dépraz.
Even though the brand is a relative newcomer, its founding members are certainly no spring chickens when it comes to the watch world, so it should be no surprise that the NH look is already quite well-established. The stepped bezel and large, flat crowns of the Calatrava-like case are all in 904L steel and finished beautifully despite their rather simplistic shape. And with a 37mm diameter, I appreciate NH sticking to their guns when it comes to sizing. I’d love to see the 11.5mm height shrunk even further, though that is just a reality of working with a modular movement.
One thing that really does irk me, and I’m guessing I won’t be alone, is the execution of the calendar correctors. We’ve seen many a clever solution to this problem, from hiding them behind lugs to not having them at all. Naturally, I’m not expecting Naoya Hida to develop a new, crown-operated QP that they’ll produce in a handful of examples each year – it really wouldn’t make much sense – but when you’re charging precious metal Patek QP money, I do expect a little more.
One of the things that has drawn me to Naoya Hida the most has been the brand’s use of hand-engraving, especially in watches like the Lettercutter. I’m glad to see that the skills of in-house engraver Keisuke Kano have been put to good use for the sterling silver dial of the Type 6A, as it features hand-engraved sub-dials, too. Despite their blocky, serifed style, the dial is legible and symmetrical, with blued hands for the calendar indications, and 18k gold feuille hands for the hours and minutes. I also want to point out the use of a grained disc with a dot for the leap year, avoiding a potentially confusing, coaxial set of hands.
Until the aforementioned, squared-off Type 5, Naoya Hida hid (I’m sure there’s a pun in there somewhere) its movements behind solid casebacks. I’m not too sure why the Type 6 was chosen to continue this trend, as apart from the concentric striping on the large plate, the movement isn’t ornately decorated at all. There are a few polished sinks around the jewels, but no anglage or blued screws. Named the 3025PC, the movement boasts a 45-hour power reserve, and its most notable modification by Naoya Hida is the winding mechanism, as it uses NH’s signature click feel that was inspired by the winding of vintage movements.
I’ve briefly touched on this movement’s construction, but it’s worth mentioning it again. Dubois-Dépraz is a well-respected maker of complication modules, and the Habring base calibre will surely be familiar to the Japanese brand, given it also borrows some design cues from the Valjoux 7750’s wheel train. If it sounds familiar, especially given the Habring connection, it’s because it is. The Chrono Felix Perpetual sports an even more complex version of this movement, adding a monopusher chronograph into the mix.
And this is where I begin to wonder. At nearly A$80,000, the Type 6A is priced very, very optimistically. The Habring is less than half the price, as are most watches with Dubois-Dépraz QP modules (like this Baume & Mercier Riviera), and I needn’t point out how much horological horsepower you could get on your wrist for an equivalent sum. The artisan approach is undoubtedly there, and I’m sure that it, combined with the draw of small-scale production, will be enough to lure the few buyers that will actually be able to secure one of these pieces. However, knowing how well-considered Naoya Hida’s designs have been in the past, and experiencing the craftsmanship of some of their other watches in person, I’m left to wonder just how good this watch could’ve been.
Naoya Hida NH Type 6A pricing and availability
The NH Type 6A will be produced in approximately 10 examples between 2025 and 2026. Price (excl. tax): ¥7,500,000 (~A$80,000)
| Brand | Naoya Hida |
| Model | NH Type 6A |
| Case Dimensions | 37mm (D) x 11.5mm (T) |
| Case Material | 904L steel |
| Water Resistance | Not stated |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire front, sapphire back |
| Dial | Sterling silver, hand-engraved |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Black leather, 904L steel pin buckle |
| Movement |
3025PC, Habring² QP A11B base, Dubois-Dépraz QP module, manual
|
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, perpetual calendar |
| Availability | 10 pieces over the next 12 months |
| Price | ¥7,500,000 (excl. tax) |