INTRODUCING: The Atelier Wen Perception x Wristcheck and Seconde/Seconde
Since 2018 Atelier Wen have been producing wristwatches inspired by classical Chinese design and over the last five years, they have been continuously improving their designs and craftsmanship. There’s a reason we consider them one of our favorite Chinese Watch Brands. Today, they have mastered the art of guilloché perfectly and have made it a central part of all their pieces. Showcasing the best of oriental design and expertise, Atelier Wen are partnering with big industry players to take their brand to the next level.
And this is where Hong Kong Start-Up Wristcheck steps in. Wristcheck are the world’s first platform for watch enthusiasts that is focused on creating a safe, transparent, and reliable experience for their customers when buying and selling timepieces. They collaborated with Atelier Wen on another limited-edition series just last year. However, this partnership doesn’t stop here.
In steps Seconde/Seconde, otherwise known as Romaric André. Famed for his outside of the box creativity and thinking, as well as fun and smile-inducing customizations. Having worked with numerous brands, Seconde/Seconde has made a name for themselves with these insane artistic collaborations- Atelier Wen is only the next logical step, let’s what this is all about…
The Basics:
Brand: Atelier Wen
Model: Perception
Case Material: Steel
Case Size: 41mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Dandong SL 1588
Movement Specs: 3 hand automatic movement, hours, minutes, seconds.
Strap Options: Integrated Steel Bracelet and Integrated Grey Rubber strap.
The Juice:
The dial has got to be the most important part of this watch. Atelier Wen are renowned for their beautiful guilloché dials which are hand-machined by Master Cheng, the only craftsman capable of producing such stunning pieces in all of China. During the previous collaboration with Wristcheck, Atelier Wen had to discard 36 dials as they did not meet the brand’s exacting standards. It was only after discussions with Romaric André that they decided to create something unique that would bring these pieces of art back to life. Each one features a slit, in a unique location, that has been stitched together with 24k gold crosses- this mimics a traditional Chinese porcelain mending technique. The Atelier Wen logo is left off of the dial to acknowledge that these dials were not up to scratch - an admission of artistic guilt according to some.
The case of this watch has been carefully machined from stainless steel and thoroughly finished right down to the smallest elements. Sitting at 41mm in diameter and 9.4mm thickness, this piece is a discreet presence of the wrist and will slide itself comfortably underneath any cuff. The caseback is any interesting affair to the least. Undeniably unique, the half sapphire, half engraved steel plate is an intricate component that showcases the best of Atelier Wen’s work.
Atelier Wen have designed a beautiful integrated bracelet for their Perception collection, and it is perhaps one of the best features. The uniquely shaped links flow out of the case gracefully and taper gently into a discreet folding clasp. The watch will also come with a custom rubber strap that gives you the opportunity to switch it up for a sportier look.
This watch is powered by the Chinese Dandong SL 1588 movement that has been customised specially for this project. Beautifully finished, but sadly only partially visible, this calibre has been adjusted in 5 positions for optimal accuracy. The custom rhodium plated rotor has an attractive glow and is engraved with the names of the collaborating brands- it is, in fact, the only reference to Atelier Wen on the entire piece.
At the end of the day, the Atelier Wen Perception Special Edition is a fantastic exhibition of Chinese horological craftsmanship, something that is often, and wrongfully, snubbed or overlooked. This limited run of 36 pieces just goes to show how dynamic and forward-thinking this sector of the industry is- we just cannot wait to see what is in store for the future.
So how much does the Wristcheck x Seconde/Seconde x Atelier Wen Perception “锔瓷” Special Edition cost?
The Wristcheck x Seconde/Seconde x Atelier Wen Perception “锔瓷” Special Edition will retail for $5,000 and will exclusively be available on the Atelier Wen online boutique. If you want more information, you can visit their website here.