PERCEPTION XIA

The Perception Xia by Atelier Wen is a definitive timepiece that blends a contemporary sports aesthetic with mètiers d’art craftsmanship. The watch enjoys two visual highlights, having both a sculpted steel case with integrated bracelet, and also a hand-guilloché dial, and it demonstrates excellent styling and craftsmanship throughout its arrangement and construction.

The brainchild and passion of two individuals, and the blending of two cultures, Atelier Wen timepieces combine traditional horology with modern and historical Chinese design codes. Having met while studying in Beijing, Frenchmen Robin Tallendier and Wilfred Buiron discovered a shared vision, one which would lead to the founding of an innovative new independent watchmaking brand.

Working specifically with craftspeople from China, Atelier Wen create pieces that are unique, highly collectable, and are offered at a price point rarely seen for watches of such superior quality and prestige. The company’s second collection, entitled Perception, introduces an exquisite hand-guilloché dial, crafted by a self-taught individual reputed to be China’s only master craftsman in this genre.

The Perception Xia watch displays slender proportions and is equipped with a finely finished octagonal case sized at 40mm diameter with a height of 9.4mm. Both case and the bracelet are constructed from 904L stainless steel ensuring the longevity of their finish and appearance. A shapely bezel and a domed sapphire crystal frame the hand-crafted guilloché dial, which for this edition is rendered in a resplendent copper tone. Notably, the guilloché work is achieved by Master Cheng, who is reputed to be China’s only maestro of the craft and a self-taught one at that. Meticulous in its execution, each dial comprises of two layers upon a copper base which is then worked by Master Cheng in his cave-based atelier, using rose-engine machines of his own making. Detailing on the dial reflects the Sunmao construction of ancient Chinese architecture, wherein the structure is held through mortise and tenon, and this has inspired the arrangement of 12 cut-outs achieved within the guilloché, into which the raised indices are seamlessly inserted. Furthermore, a mortice created within each indice to receive the chapter rings adds further depth to the dial which is finished with hand-bent rhodium-plated hands.

The movement within the slim casing of the Atelier Wen Perception Burning Copper is the SL1588 automatic calibre which beats at 28’800 vib/h, and has a power reserve of 41 hours. A semi-display caseback reveals the well-decorated movement and its black rhodium plated rotor through a sapphire section, while the other portion features a deeply embossed motif of a Shishi, the stone guardian lion often found close to Chinese temples and her ancient buildings. The estimated delivery lead time for this timepiece is in November 2023.