The Next Chapter

Hello collector,

It’s been longer than I’d like since I last posted in the Journal. While I’ve been quiet and busy on the personal front, there have been many updates on Havid Nagan’s front. Admittedly, there were some manufacturing issues I faced with the HN01 Lucine project. The manufacture I was working with whom were responsible for quality controlling and assembling my watches had new leadership step in and one of the new implementations they introduced was a significant increase in costs. This unexpected rise rendered the project financially infeasible and I decided, after long thought, to put a hold on the project. Those who had placed a deposit towards Lucine were completely refunded and assured this was not an existential issue, but more of a strategic and operational misalignment. As I’m sure some of you are aware, this is the nature of business. Thus, I began my search for new partners in bringing my vision to life. I have outlined the changes in strategy I am implementing but I’d like to provide brief context over our industry before getting into the finer details.

Our industry has heralded “in-house” or “manufacture calibers” as the crown of watchmaking. While for the haute-horology brands, this might be a vertical and horizontal integration that allows for unique complications, designs, and certain flexibility in production, the reality for companies like Havid Nagan and other micro-brands is it is EXTREMELY costly to develop calibers, components, and modules; so much so that it can render exciting projects infeasible. As any business hopes to position itself as far out of being beholden to suppliers, it is an inextricable part of starting a watch brand.

 Additionally, the dynamic of repairs and the costs therein are significant; only the manufacture that produces the calibers and components may repair or order replacement wheels, bridges, etc. While warranties protect both Havid Nagan and the collectors, once a watch is out of warranty, the inherent issues of mechanical watches remain. Extended timelines for repairs are also of concern.

So, what I have decided to do is work with a new partner in La Chaux de Fonds, one that is led by an industry veteran who has been creating for himself and supporting other independent creators for over 3 decades. While the nature of research and development, production, quality control, and assembly will remain unchanged, the change I am most excited to announce is I will be utilizing AMT and La-Joux-Perret base calibers to animate my designs and creations. These are highly customizable calibers, allow for modular constructions to be implemented, may be repaired anywhere in the world (as their parts are easily ordered) and, as a cherry on top, work and perform better than most movements.

This all has been a blessing in disguise. It allows me to bring to you the same vision, same designs and complications, and same service as before, without veering into a lane that is not my own. It puts me into a position that is more manageable and makes collecting Havid Nagan watches easier for all.

Preliminary designs and prototyping have begun for my next creation, the first Havid Nagan “dress watch”. A vintage inspired, 38mm artisanal execution of what I am most drawn to - designs evocative of the late-80’s-90’s. While I have not yet officially named the project, a placeholder has been labeled “Théoule”, after the village in the South of France where I found the inspiration for the watch. I hope to have the two prototypes by July/early-August.

While the finer details are being worked on, I can say the watch will be 38mm in diameter, 9mm in height, will (finally, after much request) feature a second’s hand, and will be feature both an artisanal case and dial design. The movement’s intended decoration is inspired by creations from watchmaking’s greatest minds, and I hope to make it the value proposition we have all been waiting for from this industry.

Thank you all for supporting Havid Nagan and, by association, me. You are the reason I have been able to get this far and I intend on leveraging your support to continue to deliver value and bring to market creations I am enthusiastic about.

Your fellow enthusiast,

Aren J BAZERKANIAN