We had hoped to finish production before Christmas but unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, our target completion time will be delayed. Please read on.
It's no secret that we are a small business operation so when a prominent Italian fashion house decided to purchase a whole lot of Japanese Miyota 82S0 movement that caused an industry-wide shortage of the calibre, we had no choice but to consider switching to other mechanisms. We simply do not have the purchasing power to compete with a big company.
Our manufacturer suggested using another Japanese movement of the same quality- the Seiko Caliber NH38A. After consulting with those who have already pre-ordered, we decided to greenlight the change. It took us several days to realize that changing the movement also meant modifying the design of the dial- the aperture or that small round window has to be moved from the 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock position. With NH38A, it's physically impossible to keep the aperture at 6 o'clock because doing so means moving the crown above the 12 o'clock spot. Please see the illustration below.
Some may consider this a minor adjustment but as the designer, I find this proposed change unpalatable. Every part of this watch has a deep symbolic meaning to me as it embodies my interpretation of the Masonic ritual. There's a reason why I want to keep the Compasses, the center of the dial, the beating heart (seen through the aperture), and Square in perfect alignment.
Designing this watch has been a labour of love. It would have been a lot easier, faster, and economical to just go for stock parts but we decided to go with fully customized according to our specifications. Getting things right can be a painful journey but we're willing to take that route in pursuit of betterment.
In conclusion, it is with a heavy heart that I must say that we're breaking our original promise to deliver the watches by Christmas. Since we cannot compromise our design principles and since we already have the important parts made (the dial, case, hour symbols, etc), we have no other choice but to wait until Miyota supplies us with enough movement to finish the production. With that said, if you wish to refund your order, please let us know. If you decide to keep it, please accept our sincerest thanks. We appreciate your patience. Looking to pre-order the watch? We hope to deliver within the first quarter of 2020. Payment plans are available. Click here to pre-order. Pre-order now and get a free leather strap (limited supply).
No batteries required. It has a beating heart that is powered by your own. #fraternalties #thetiethatbinds
