n 2022, Wristcheck and Atelier Wen released the Perception “传承” Special Edition limited to 100 pieces, selling out immediately upon launch. One of the watch’s hallmark features was its jade green guilloché dial: an intricate masterpiece crafted with utmost precision by Master Cheng, China’s sole master guilloché craftsman, using a hand-operated rose engine.

Each dial underwent rigorous quality control and scrutiny by Master Cheng and Robin Tallendier, Atelier Wen’s co-founder – to the point where the slightest irregularity in its guilloché pattern warranted rejection. Some dials that passed Cheng’s examination were, however, rejected by Tallendier, an act carrying the weight of wasted hours and a craftsman’s pride. Cheng marked each rejected dial with a single cut, imbuing them with a sense of artful dismissal.

In the making of last year’s Wristcheck x Atelier Wen Perception “传承” Special Edition of 100 pieces, exactly 36 dials were rejected, each deviating marginally from perfection, otherwise to be discarded. It was within these ‘unwanted’ dials that Austen Chu, Wristcheck’s co-founder and CEO, recognized an opportunity. Seeking the expertise of Paris-based artist Romaric André, known as seconde/seconde/, André immediately felt the need to reverse the destruction process. He envisioned a metamorphosis: transforming these rejected dials into something coveted – something beautiful.

In 2023, Wristcheck, Atelier Wen, and seconde/seconde/ now present the WRISTCHECK X SECONDE/SECONDE/ X ATELIER WEN PERCEPTION “锔瓷” SPECIAL EDITION, limited to just 36 pieces, a stunning fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative restoration.

Breathing life into the once cast-aside, these 36 dials have now been ‘healed’ – made whole once again with seconde/seconde/’s addition of three cross-stitches in pure 24K gold – and the added embellishment of matching gold hands. These stitches, reminiscent of the ancient Chinese technique “锔瓷” (jū cí) used to mend Celadon porcelains, honor traditional crafts while simultaneously restoring the dial. As each laceration was cut into the dials by Master Cheng at different areas, all 36 dials are essentially unique.

In another twist, these 36 dials bear no Atelier Wen branding, a non-negotiable stipulation – a ‘punishment’, even, enforced by seconde/seconde/. “Your process once rejected those dials. So don’t pretend now that they are yours!”, said Romaric André. The unmarked dials exist as a permanent reminder of the Atelier’s rejection in their moments of imperfection. Marked with “Rejected → ⧖ → Praised” and the watch’s serial on its semi-display caseback, the only branding, albeit discrete in itself, appears on the watch’s rotor – where Wristcheck, Atelier Wen, and seconde/seconde/ logos are laser-engraved and filled with blue ink that, at certain angles, blends in with the green of the rotor.

A testament to finding beauty in imperfection and the resilience the process entails, these 36 unique timepieces tell a story of rejection to redemption, symbolizing Master Cheng’s restored pride.

The WRISTCHECK X SECONDE/SECONDE/ X ATELIER WEN PERCEPTION “锔瓷” SPECIAL EDITION of 36 pieces is priced at HKD 39,000 | USD 5,000. It is available for purchase online exclusively on Wristcheck.com from 10:00 AM HKT on November 29, 2023.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Limited to 36 pieces

Case

• 904L stainless steel case with exceptional attention to finish
• 40mm (diameter) x 40.4mm (from where the lugs start slopping down) / 47mm (from the bottom of the lugs) (lug to lug)
• 9.4mm thickness
• Double-domed sapphire crystal with 10 layers of anti-reflective coating
• Screw-down crown

Caseback

• Deeply embossed semi-display caseback with sapphire glass and 10 layers AR coating
• Hammered texture around the 3D lion’s head Markings — all in 3D, done via CNC:
• “Rejected → ⧖ → Praised” N°XX/36

Movement

• Customized 32 jewels extra-thin (3.3mm) Dandong SL1588 automatic movement
• Adjusted in 5 positions and for temperature fluctuation
• Côtes de Genève on the surface bridges
• Tungsten rotor with circular côtes de Genève and green rhodium plating
• Atelier Wen logo, Wristcheck logo, seconde/seconde/ logo are all crafted through laser engraving, infused with a touch of blue

Bracelet & Buckle

• 904L stainless steel bracelet with exceptional attention to finish and quick-release spring bars
• On- the-fly micro adjustment buckle
• Each link has chamfered inner angles

Dial

• Handmade guilloché dial turned on a rose engine by China’s sole guilloché master craftsman, Cheng Yucai
• Soleil Inca pattern
• Jade green color
• Each dial features a cut which length is equal to c. half of the dial diameter. The position of the cut differs for each dial
• 3 miniature stitches made of solid 24k gold are applied on the cut
• Hand-bent solid 18k hands with Super-LumiNova® BGW9 (X1 grade) lume
• Applied rhodium-plated indexes

Accessories

• Each watch will come with one additional grey rubber strap and buckle

Warranty

• Each watch comes with a 24-month warranty. After-sales is managed by Atelier Wen.