Atelier Wen brings Chinese craftsmanship and artisanship to the forefront with a solotempo with an original design and top-quality finish.
China is the main supplier of essential components for many European brands, but above all it is a land of centuries-old traditions in all fields, including watchmaking. With this in mind, Robin Tallendier and Wilfred Burion, two young French entrepreneurs in love with Chinese culture, have decided to valorise a craftsmanship and style that the general public ignores, founding their brand Atelier Wen in 2020.
After the first model called the Porcelain Odyssey, in 2022 it was the turn of the Perception, a solo timepiece with an integrated bracelet in three colours. 'Our goal is to produce the best possible Chinese watches,' explains Robin Tallendier. "With Perception, the handmade element is the guilloché dial created by Master Cheng, one of the few connoisseurs of this art in the whole of Asia, but in the long term we would like to reach 100% of handmade components, using the best craftsmen in the country.
Atelier Wen Perception: hypnotic dial
The dial of the Perception, hand-guilloché engraved, is available in light blue, grey or salmon.
The Perception model, on sale for €3,031, has a case 40 mm in diameter by 9.4 mm thick, resistant to 10 atmospheres, whose lines are inspired by typical pagoda roofs. The beautiful guilloché dial is available in grey, salmon and light blue and the bracelet has an extension system which can be operated even while wearing the watch.
The back is engraved with a reproduction of a lion, similar to those that adorn the entrance of many Chinese public and religious buildings and are considered lucky charms, while the automatic movement, with burnished tungsten rotor, is from the Chinese manufacture Dandong.
Through their brand, Tallendier and Burion intend to give visibility to China's high-quality watchmaking culture: 'We are actively supporting Master Cheng's workshop and would like it to become a sort of hub for métiers d'art dials'. Distribution is through the brand's website: www.atelierwen.comor on the platform www.thelimtededition.co.uk. Instagram: @atelierwenwatches.
