Obviously there is no detailed history of horology in Australia, but when there is, the Nicholas Hacko NHW MKII will feature as it’s a pioneering watch in so many ways and represents an incredible achievement for independent watchmaking regardless of geography. 

It occurs to me that watches have been assembled in Australia on and off for several decades. My Grandfather had a piece that was branded with the name of a Sydney Jeweller and displayed the words “Swiss Made” on the dial so there was at least one Australian “microbrand” made in Switzerland in the 1950’s and assembled and regulated down under.

All that history aside I can not hide the fact that I am profoundly proud as an Aussie watch nerd to have a watch with “Australia” on the dial….. and what a dial it is, containing the first of many firsts. 

Nicholas Hacko is a third generation watchmaker who has lived and worked in Australia for almost thirty years. In December 2022 he and his son Josh released the Nicholas Hacko NHW MKII, a masterful achievement in watch design and manufacturing. (Yes, that’s right … its been on the wrist for a month as I write this).

The NHW MKII dial is mesmerising. Inspired by the colours and movement of the local break down at Curl Curl Beach just to the north of Sydney City, Australia. This guilloché titanium dial with applied titanium indices and striking skelotonised titanium Journeesque hands combine together to play with light and colour in a way that I personally have not witnessed before. The mostly aqua blue green dial can be a moody grey, a deep navy blue or a vibrant jade green and everything in between. Outside under a bright blue sky it pops like a cracker on New Years Eve ! 

The dial components have been uniquely designed and produced by state of the art CNC machining  and technical knowhow. These components ooze high quality and have been painstakingly finished. They have then been hand built into a finished product that punches way above its weight in terms of style, artistic impact and performance.

It’s a wrist hog, no two ways about it …. It wants to be on stage more than Paul Hogan at a Logies night (sorry if that’s too Aussie for most) and it has every right to because it is such a pleasure to check out the time … all the time ! 

The Nicholas Hacko NHW MKII comes with a Swiss made Soprod M100 automatic movement.  It’s the first watch I’ve owned with this movement but I’m instantly a fan. It’s been perfectly regulated and it’s keeping time to within a second or two per day and I don’t hear or feel the rotor at work at all. 

The case is all titanium. The case back has a curved outer that transitions to a flat engraved closed caseback plate that is a further reminder of the waves of Curl Curl and an expanded representation of the guilloché dial. On wrist it is light and comfortable, I personally enjoy the feeling of titanium on my skin. The crown is striking, reminiscent of a fliger watch but practically marvellous for my larger than average hands. 

The NHW MKII for me represents an achievement that simply goes way beyond what anyone could expect some Aussie bloke to knock out of his beachside shed with a few machines and decade or three of experience. This is an experience for any watch lover, there is such a strong wrist presence and behind all the physical form there is a rich story, a remarkable struggle, an determined family and a resolute and stubborn “up yours mate” to those who think you can’t set out to achieve what you’re passionate about. I highly recommend checking out the podcast linked below if you don’t understand this part of the review. 

All of this horological goodness comes in a very palatable price bracket. The watch should not be overlooked for some bigger name with a European address. The NHW MKII truly represents what hardworking, committed independent watchmaking can achieve when passion, determination and resilience are allowed to play in a modest but fantastically engineered and resourced backyard shed.