For our latest collaboration with Naoya Hida & Co., we wanted to explore designs that leave formal symmetry behind in favour of artful expression. Inspired by the beauty of birds, we created a feather motif with the help of Naoya Hida & Co. master engraver Keisuke Kano.
Nature’s Line
In each hand engraved feather, not only is there the fine detail of each individual barb, but also the lifelike texture of the entire vane, enhanced by the shimmering exposed surfaces of precisely cut silver.
Hands
The hands applied to Naoya Hida & Co. timepieces are unlike most other watch hands. They are not stamped but instead precision milled, allowing them to be distinctively thick and shapely. In the case of the Floating Feathers, they are 18K yellow gold.
Track
The three floating feathers of each dial are surrounded by 12 18 karat golden globes inset into the minutes track. Time is shown by a pair of 18 karat solid gold hands, sharply faceted in contrast to their soft, organic backdrop. It is capped off with a blued seconds hand with a “caviar spoon” counterweight detail.
The 4A2 Case
The Floating Feathers is based on Naoya Hida’s Type 4 – a 36mm 1960s inspired case style with shapely lyre lugs. Its case is made of durable 904L steel. It is fitted with a screw-in caseback for extra water resistance. It is paired with a patinated charcoal grey calf strap by Jean Rousseau.
Movement
Housed inside the 36mm steel case is the Caliber 3020CS, with its 45-hour power reserve and 28,800 BPH. The Cal. 3020CS is based upon the robust ETA 7750 chronograph movement, which has been reworked by Naoya Hida into a time-only movement, with a center seconds function.
