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Make your Perception more versatile with our FKM rubber straps.
Make your Perception more versatile with our FKM rubber straps.
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A hand-turned vision of
chinese watchmaking
A hand-turned vision of
chinese watchmaking
Perception
Our integrated steel sports watch, featuring a handmade guilloché dial by the only master of the craft in China. Its high-end Chinese automatic calibre beats within a case of 904L steel, finished with immense attention-to-detail.
- Free return
- Free shipping
- Five year warranty
A modern marriage of classical Chinese architecture and artisanship
Perception draws from the exquisite geometries found in traditional Chinese architecture. It features an exquisite hand-turned guilloché dial by China’s only master of the craft, Cheng Yu Cai, alongside a custom extra-thin automatic movement. These are elegantly encased within a 904L steel case, with accompanying bracelet, that have been finished with immense attention to detail. It bears a striking contrast between the slimness of its case and the depth of the guilloché dial which defies physical perceptions.
An Ethereal, Misty Blue
Handmade métier d'art dials by China's sole guilloché master craftsman
Delicate scales of a dwindling art
The central element of Perception's dial is without a doubt the
écailles de poisson guilloché by the workshop of Cheng Yu Cai, China's one and
only master guilloché craftsman. The hypnotic interplay between straight and
curved lines in the fish scale pattern is a celebration of light and shadow, and each dial has been meticulously
hand-turned on a rose engine of Master Cheng's own design, taking a staggering 8 hours to produce.
The age-old intricacies of guilloché mean that there are fewer than 30 known
masters of the craft left in the world. In the modern era, the difficulties of true
guilloché have seen the vast majority of watch brands turn to more automated
avenues such as stamping and CNC-machining, since engine turning requires enormous skill and any momentary slip
or loss in concentration necessitates beginning all over again. Yet it is precisely in an unending quest for
elusive, human perfection that we hope to preserve and celebrate the immense value of the craft.
Inspired by tradition, reimagined in the present
Perception's dial is not just about its guilloché element. Its complex 4-part
construction is modelled after 榫卯 (sǔn mǎo), an ancient Chinese approach to building assembly. This form of
construction features the extraordinary characteristic of being a friction-based assembly without the use of
any nails or glue.
Exemplified in Perception, the dial comprises of a base layer upon which the guillochéd plate sits. Its
indexes nest precisely into 12 cutouts, and are locked in place by an elevated chapter ring with a beautiful
回纹 (huí wén) pattern printed in Superluminova X1. Far from being merely decorative, this pattern has been
specifically segmented to form the functional minute track of the watch.
Perception's hands are leaf-shaped, adhering to the lineage cast by one of the Porcelain Odyssey's defining
design features, which suited the continuity of our brand’s design language. They too have been constructed
with a voluminous profile, creating greater visual depth to the dial, and have been lumed with Superluminova
X1. They have also been broadened slightly to suit the watch's sportier profile. The hands come in two
variations: rhodium plated on the 缥 (Piāo) and 霞 (Xiá), and heat-blued on the 影 (Yǐng).
A composition of classical lines
The case of Perception is evocative of shapes found in Chinese architecture. The curved silhouettes of pagodas
provide inspiration for its flanks, and the tops of its lugs feature subtler angles reminiscent of roof
structures.
We have taken great care to accentuate them through sharp contrasts between the applications of horizontal and
vertical brushing, as well as the mirror-polished reliefs and chamfers that frame them. The use of 904L steel
lends further emphasis to this visual impression here, possessing a greater lustre than its more common 316L
counterpart.
Perception's case measures 40mm across at its widest point, but wears closer to 38/39mm on-wrist due to the
smaller 37mm diagonal diameter. This, combined with its 47mm effective lug-to-lug, makes for an extremely
elegant and well-proportioned wearing experience.
Considering the dial's depth, the case is also impressively thin at just 9.4mm in total height, and thanks to
the layering of its profile, it wears even thinner. Despite this, water resistance has not been compromised,
withstanding depths of up to 10 ATM/100m.
It also features a double-domed sapphire crystal with 10 layers of anti-reflective coating, ensuring perfect
transparency and readability.
The beating maw of a steely guardian
The semi-display caseback of Perception features a window that doubles as the mouth of a deeply-embossed
石狮子 (Shí shīzi), or stone guardian lion; these being found at the entrance of most Chinese temples and
major buildings.
When the rotor is aligned with the window, forming the lion's mouth, it appears to laugh in a stark contrast
against the sobriety and almost brutalist character of the rest of the watch. And when the rotor swings the
other way, the lion's mouth opens to reveal the watch's balance wheel as it oscillates away.
With the series inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, these guardian lions form a defining aspect of
such structures, and its presence on our case-back is as symbolic as it is decorative. It represents a fitting
motif of the protective casing that guards the intricate architecture of the dial, as well as the soul of the
watch that is its movement.
This stylised representation of the stone lion was conceptualised by Liu Yuguan using cloud-like strokes to
keep with the surreal identity of the watch as a whole. The motif is executed in a deep embossing, and
accented by a hammered texture surrounding it to provide a prominent contrast.
The text that lines the perimeter of Perception's case-back has been CNC-machined, requiring unique 3-D files
for each individual case-back. It pays homage to a true legend of Chinese independent watchmaking, Kiu Tai Yu,
whose watches were often characterised by similarly executed textual reliefs.
A path of brush and shimmer
Like its case, Perception's quick-release bracelet is also crafted of the same luxurious 904L steel, forming a
gleaming path that leads up to the watch itself. The bracelet's central links feature an uncanny asymmetry in
their hexagonal shapes, and once more hark towards elements like rooftops and windows found in traditional
Chinese architecture.
The same spectacular attention to finish has been paid here, with strong vertical brushing throughout that
drops off into sharp, mirror-like chamfers that have been hand-finished along both the outer and inner edges
of each link. On the wrist, this path breaks up into its individual tiles; each link reflecting light
differently in a dazzling spectacle.
The bracelet's elegance carries into its dimensions, tapering across its width from 22mm at the case to 18mm
at the clasp, and thinning out from 3mm at the lugs to a svelte 2.6mm.
Concealed convenience on-the-fly
The bracelet is complemented by a fully custom clasp with an on-the-fly micro-adjustment mechanism that has
been developed in-house. Made of no less than 32 parts, it is operated through a large, central pusher that is
concealed behind our logo that adorns the middle of the clasp.
This hidden mechanism allows the clasp to remain extremely sleek, and yet no less intuitive and satisfying to
use, in-line with our aim of a seamless experience in utility. The bracelet's length may be adjusted by up to
a half-link without it ever leaving your wrist.
In addition to this, the clasp's deployant system hides yet another secret, featuring a telescopically
extensible blade as one of our more recent implementations. This function allows us to ensure that the blade
remains incredibly short, providing exceptional comfort on the wrist whilst still allowing for your hand to
fit through the bracelet circumference when the blade is fully extended.
The SL1588: Tested and tailored for uncompromising elegance
Perception's case houses a hi-beat, original calibre designated the SL1588. Supplied by Dandong/Peacock's new
state-of-the-art manufacture, the movement has been heavily customised for us. These modifications include an
extended power reserve of approximately 41 hours; a marked increase from its base movement’s 38 hours, as well
as the removal of the default date-complication, and a slightly slimmer profile compared to its original
configuration in the SL1.
The movements leave the factory at +/- 10s/d after being drop-tested and observed in hot, cold and ambient
temperatures, as well as measured across 48 hours of continuous running.
They are then further regulated in 5 positions by us, and sent in to China's top national research lab, the
Horological Research Institute of Light Industry (HRILI) for further testing following assembly.
The movement also boasts extensive decoration, with circular côtes de Genève on its bridges that are
contiguous with its black, rhodium-plated tungsten rotor. Special care has also been taken with the smaller
componentry, with the inclusion of polished jewel and screw sinks rarely seen at this pricepoint, and
flame-blued screws.
More than mere unboxing
Perception arrives to you in a beautifully-lacquered, wooden presentation box that unfolds completely to form an
elegant table-top organiser for your desk or mantlepiece.
It also comes with a high-quality microfibre polishing cloth, a travel pouch in top-grain calf leather, and a
screwdriver for a fuss-free experience in sizing your bracelet.
Variances in Perception
Our journey has led us to collaborate with partners who have brought new meaning and exposure to Chinese
watchmaking.
The first collaboration, 传承 (Chuán Chéng), showcases Master Cheng's favorite
guilloché pattern in a dignified jade green shade. Meaning "inheritance," it
features a grade 5 Titanium case and bracelet, distinct from the regular editions of Perception. 传承 was
created in partnership with Wristcheck, a renowned luxury watch retailer from Hong Kong, led by collector
Austen Chu (@horoloupe), this limited edition of 100 pieces embodies the symbolic inheritance and fosters a
new generation of Chinese collectors.
Learn more about 传承 here.
Our second collaboration with Revolution, the industry's media and e-commerce leader, and its legendary
founder, Wei Koh, gave rise to 禧 (Xǐ). This timepiece, also limited to 100 examples, features a vivid,
vermillion circular basketweave design, perfectly capturing the celebratory spirit of joy and jubilation
encapsulated in its name. Constructed with grade 5 Titanium, 禧 represents the resonance Revolution felt for
Atelier Wen's mission to uplift and celebrate the underestimated capacities of Chinese artisanship and
watchmaking.
Discover more about 禧 in Revolution's article here.
We are immensely honoured and proud of these collaborations, which highlight the industry's belief in our
Perception line and mission to celebrate Chinese watchmaking. Stay tuned for more unique editions to come!
Warranty
Perception comes with a 5-year warranty, valid from the date of delivery. While this warranty was previously
valid for 2 years, we have now extended it by an additional 3.
We are unequivocally confident in our product, and this has been put in place to reflect the comprehensive
testing that we put the watches through, the assuredness of our brand’s longevity, and the reliability of our
suppliers and manufacturing partners. We have also made sufficient provisions in replacement parts to ensure
that your watch is well cared-for throughout its lifetime.
We are entirely committed to ensuring a seamless and assured ownership experience. We will facilitate any
aftersales-related support at your total and seamless convenience, with doorstep-to-doorstep coverage both to
and from our global after-sales partners (currently situated in Singapore, Hong Kong and France).
This extended warranty now applies to all of our watches and will, additionally, apply retroactively to any
watches that have been previously purchased directly from us or our collaborators.
Technical
Specifications
- 904L stainless steel case with contrasting surfaces and exceptional attention to finish.
- 40mm (Diameter) X 47mm (LUG-TO-LUG), with a wearing experience closer to 38/39mm, suiting smaller and larger wrists alike.
- 9.4mm thickness.
- Screw-down crown.
- Water resistant to 100m/10ATM.
- Hand-crafted guilloché dial with intricate écaille de poisson pattern, turned by China’s sole guilloché master craftsman, Cheng Yucai.
- Four-layered dial construction, inspired by ancient Chinese architectural tenets of Sunmao (friction/imbrication through mortise and tenon joints).
- Chinese huiwen-patterned chapter ring, printed in Super-LumiNova ®, X1 grade.
- Applied rhodium-plated indices.
- Voluminous, rhodium-plated, leaf-shaped hands with Super-LumiNova ®, X1 grade.
- Hand-bent minutes and seconds.
- Double-domed sapphire crystal with 10 layers of anti-reflective coating.
- Hammered texture surrounding raised stone lion motif.
- Semi-display sapphire crystal window showing balance bridge/rotor.
- Deeply CNC-engraved, 3D lettering on all text.
- 10 layers of anti-reflective coating
- Customised 32 jewels extra-thin (3.4mm) dandong sl1588 automatic movement.
- Decorated in circular côtes de genève with polished jewel and screw sinks, and heat-blued screws.
- Tungsten rotor with circular côtes de genève and black rhodium plating.
- +/- 10s per day and further adjusted in 5 positions and for temperature fluctuations.
- Tested exhaustively by the horological research institute of light industry (hrili).
- 41 hour power reserve
- 28,800 bph (4hz)
- 904l brushed stainless bracelet with individually chamfered links and exceptional attention to finish.
- Tapering from 22mm at the case to 18mm at the clasp, and thinning gradually from 3mm at the case to 2.6mm at the clasp.
- Quick-release spring bars.
- Proprietary, patent-pending on-the-fly micro adjustment system.
- Telescopic deployant blade system for enhanced comfort and wearability.
