Naoya Hida launched his independent watch brand in 2019. The resulting timepieces, inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics and blended with avant-garde mechanisms and designs, exhibit a combination of minimalist style and tech-savvy flair that’s reflective of contemporary Japan.
Hida-san tells Tatler about his journey from novice to pioneering watchmaker, and the challenges he has faced.
How did you decide to get into watchmaking?
I joined the watch business in 1990, working for Desco von Schulthess, a Swiss trading company. In Tokyo, [such] companies were the sole agents for Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre and so on. I joined as a sales representative, dealing with department stores, watch retailers and
