Atelier Wen, a prominent name in Chinese watchmaking, has launched an exciting series of limited-edition timepieces, starting with a striking new dial color. The brand’s flagship Perception series, known for its integrated bracelet design and intricately hand-turned guilloché dials, has successfully cultivated a dedicated community of watch enthusiasts. To honor this community, Atelier Wen has introduced the Millésime project, featuring annual limited releases driven by fan engagement. Kicking off this initiative is the Atelier Wen Perception Millésime Mù, a model that promises to delight three fortunate buyers with a unique surprise.
The Perception model stands as a testament to Atelier Wen’s commitment to promoting Chinese watchmaking excellence, from its dials to movements. Each of its guilloché dials is crafted by Cheng Yu Cai, China’s sole Master Guillocheur, while the movements are produced by a manufacturer that challenges stereotypes surrounding Chinese craftsmanship. With the Millésime editions, Atelier Wen emphasizes its appreciation for the enthusiast community, ensuring that access to these limited releases is more inclusive.
The concept for the Millésime series arose from frustrations with previous limited editions, which often made it difficult for collectors to secure a watch. Listening to community feedback, Atelier Wen decided to create a series that would be more accessible to enthusiasts. The launch of the Millésime series with the Mù model—meaning “amity” or “kinship”—was inspired by the overwhelmingly positive reception of a purple dial showcased at Watches and Wonders in Geneva.
The Perception Millésime Mù is the first model in the series to feature a case crafted entirely from grade 5 titanium. Measuring 40mm wide and just 9.4mm thick, including its anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the watch is designed for durability and elegance. It boasts a signed screw-down crown that provides water resistance up to 100 meters. While the integrated bracelet style is familiar, Atelier Wen has infused the design with traditional Chinese motifs, evidenced by the watch’s polished concave bezel and refined vertical brushing on the mid-case.
The seamless transition from the case to the fitted titanium bracelet creates a sleek and uninterrupted aesthetic. The bracelet tapers from 22mm to 18mm, featuring polished chamfers on its angular links, and incorporates a novel clasp with a micro-adjustment system that allows for on-the-fly sizing. For added convenience, the first 88 orders and all pre-orders made during upcoming exhibitions will include a complimentary fitted salmon leather strap, marking the brand’s first venture into leather offerings for the Perception line.
Atelier Wen continues to be recognized for its exquisite dials, and the Perception Millésime Mù is no exception. Each dial is hand-turned by Master Cheng Yu Cai using custom rose engines, a process that takes eight hours. The dial’s intricate four-layered design draws inspiration from ancient Chinese architectural principles. The choice of purple was somewhat serendipitous; initial prototypes showcased at Watches and Wonders featured purple dials purely for distinction from other color variants. The enthusiastic feedback led Atelier Wen to adopt this captivating hue for the new model, resulting in a watch that shifts from deep royal purple to vibrant violet depending on lighting conditions.
The dial features a signature fish scale pattern enhanced by applied rhodium-plated indices and leaf-shaped hands filled with high-grade Super-LumiNova, ensuring visibility in low-light situations. Surrounding the dial is a chapter ring adorned with a fully lumed Chinese hui wen pattern, reinforcing the watch’s cultural heritage.
The caseback, secured with screws, features a raised stone lion motif surrounded by a hammered texture, and is inscribed with three-dimensional lettering alongside a lacquer Atelier Wen seal. This seal signifies the Millésime series, color-coordinated to match each dial, enhancing the exclusivity of each piece.
At the heart of the Perception Millésime Mù is a customized 32-jewel Dandong SL1588A automatic movement, manufactured by Peacock, a renowned Chinese movement maker. Viewable through a partial sapphire caseback, the movement is regulated to within -/+ 10 seconds per day and boasts a 41-hour power reserve. Fine finishing touches, including blue screws, perlage, anglage, and Côtes de Genève, adorn the movement, topped off by a purple rhodium-plated tungsten rotor.
As an exciting twist, while all buyers ordering the Perception Millésime Mù during the limited window will receive the standard titanium model, three lucky individuals will randomly receive unworn prototypes crafted in tantalum. This decision pays homage to the tantalum samples displayed in Geneva, where the unique purple dials garnered significant attention. To commemorate their rarity, the tantalum models will be presented in matching purple packaging and include a commemorative ticket milled from solid tantalum.
Atelier Wen is offering additional opportunities for existing watch owners to win a tantalum model, providing them with one extra entry per watch they own. This tantalum edition will pave the way for Atelier Wen’s first full tantalum timepiece, expanding their collection further.
The introduction of the Millésime editions showcases Atelier Wen’s dedication to not only exceptional craftsmanship but also the community that has supported its growth. Priced at $3,588 USD, the Perception Millésime Mù presents outstanding value for a timepiece that exemplifies luxury at an accessible price point. Each watch will arrive in an elegant purple box complete with a branded carrying case, polishing cloth, and sizing screwdriver. The tantalum models are limited to just three pieces and will only be available through a raffle linked to the purchase of the Perception Millésime Mù. Pre-orders open on October 7 at 9:00 PM SGT/9:00 AM EST and will continue until October 21, with additional pre-orders accepted at various upcoming exhibitions.
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