HYT changed the game when they launched the H1. I think my favourite HYT is the H2, but all of their watches feature the same technology and joyfully simplistic philosophy. I mean, breaking it down, it’s barely a complication (it’s the hour hand in liquid form, for goodness’ sake!), but it’s the way it is done. And I think that sums up what I look for in watchmaking: I’m not so bothered about what you do – it’s the way you do it that speaks to me. HYT had a long hard look at the building blocks of horology and changed their own foundations. No tourbillons, no moon phase, no minute repeater, or automatons. Watchmaking; fluids. Brilliant.

Rob Nudds: I guess so. After graduating from the British School of Watchmaking, I worked for Omega for two and a half years. That would have been the time to get it. Unfortunately, the wages for a newly-qualified apprentice don’t stretch to the products they are required to service every day! I did enjoy seeing them come through the workshop, though. That was a real treat. That shark mesh bracelet still keeps me up at night, and that expandable buckle is probably the most tactile bit of steel I have ever fondled. It’s so weird how a hefty lump of metal can do this to a man. But at least it’s not strictly inanimate. Now that would be strange…

ABTW: Does the newer generation of the Omega Ploprof stir you up in the same way?

Rob Nudds: I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the new version of the Ploprof. For such a heavy watch, I suppose titanium would make it more comfortable. But truth be told, I always liked the way the Ploprof felt on the wrist. It was so heavy, you could club a fully grown yak to death with one. That’s not something I normally go in for, but if you’re looking for versatility, you can’t get much better than that.

The use of ceramics is pretty neat, but I’d just decided that sapphire bezel inserts were gorgeous. Now I am in the process of falling for ceramics in the same way, but it could take some time. What I unequivocally love about the new generation, though, is the glass case back. It’s insane that this watch is water resistant to 1200m. It blows my mind. Aesthetically, this was the one thing that let the old Ploprof down. That said, the old movements were rubbish in comparison to the one the new one boldly displays. The Omega 8912 is an absolute dream to work on. It’s really well made. The parts fall together with ease. That’s one of the great ironies of watchmaking: the more expensive the watch, the easier it can be to service! That’s quality for you. And that, no matter your taste, is something to which I think we all aspire.