Atelier Wen
Perception Xiá 霞 (Salmon)

About Perception

The journey of Atelier Wen has always been defined by a singular pursuit: to challenge the global perception of Chinese craftsmanship. With the launch of Perception V3, that mission enters its most refined chapter yet. For the first time, our signature hand-turned dials are joined by the Pequignet EPM03, a chronometer-grade French movement visible through a full exhibition caseback.

Every element has been refined to meet this new standard. Alongside our first new core collection dial in four years: the bamboo green 筠 (Yún), we have elevated the case finishing and our patent-pending micro-adjustment system. From Master Cheng’s hand-turned guilloché to its new French heartbeat, Perception V3 is the fullest expression of our journey to redefine modern horology.

Handmade métier d'art dials by China's first guilloché master craftsman

The central element of Perception's dial is the écailles de poisson guilloché by the workshop of Cheng Yucai, China's first master guilloché craftsman. Each dial is hand-turned on a rose engine of Master Cheng's own design, taking hours of uninterrupted concentration to produce.

Very few masters of guilloché remain in the world. Most brands have turned to stamping and CNC. But engine turning requires enormous skill – a single slip means starting over. It is in this quest for human perfection that we preserve the craft.

For Perception V3, this hand-turned dial is joined by a new French calibre – Pequignet's EPM03 – highly customised, and visible through a full exhibition caseback. The bridges are shaped as the traditional Chinese representation of wind and filled with blue aventurine lacquer.

THE EPM03: A FRENCH CALIBRE WITH CHINESE SOUL

Perception V3 is powered by the Pequignet EPM03, from one of the last independent movement manufactures in France. Based in the city of Morteau, Pequignet designs, develops, and assembles its own calibres in-house.

The movement delivers chronometer-grade accuracy (-4/+6 sec/day), 65-hour power reserve, and hacking seconds, a first for Perception. The bi-directional pawl-based “Pellaton-style” winding system features a patented tooth profile delivering improved efficiency and reducing wear-and-tear.

The bridges are shaped as the traditional Chinese representation of wind and filled with blue aventurine lacquer, giving a deep, luminous night sky effect. Finishing includes wavy Côtes de Genève, black-polished screws, anglage, perlage, and a snailed and frosted rotor.

Inspired by tradition, reimagined in the present

The Perception’s design is a modern tribute to the heritage of Chinese architecture, drawing direct inspiration from 榫卯 (sǔn mǎo), the ancient Chinese mortise-and-tenon system used to assemble structures without nails or glue. This nail-free philosophy manifests in a complex 4-part dial construction where indices nest precisely into the guilloché base, secured by an elevated chapter ring.

The case draws inspiration from the curved flanks of traditional pagodas, balancing its structural ingenuity with classical lines. All three variants, 筠 (Yún) in bamboo green (new), 缥 (Piāo) in ice blue, and 霞 (Xiá) in salmon, feature rhodium-plated feuille hands.

Like its case, Perception's quick-release bracelet is also crafted of the same luxurious 904L steel. The bracelet's central links feature asymmetry in their hexagonal shapes, and once more hark towards elements like rooftops and windows found in traditional Chinese architecture.

The finishing of the Perception is a study in high-contrast textures, utilising 904L steel for its superior luster and corrosion resistance. Every angle is accentuated by deliberate brushing and mirror-polished reliefs, particularly on the lug tops which mimic the subtle angles of historic roof structures.

For the 筠 (Yún) variant, we have introduced a micro-frosted finish with mirror-polished chamfers, offering a soft, contemporary matte feel that contrasts with the traditional brushed and polished surfaces of the 缥 (Piāo) and 霞 (Xiá).

Functional innovation extends to the bracelet via a custom clasp with our patent-pending on-the-fly micro-adjustment. A button hidden within the Atelier Wen logo allows for seamless adjustments without removing the watch, while a telescopic deployant blade keeps the clasp sleek yet easy to slide over the hand. Whether in the Yún’s micro-frosted finish or the classic brushed steel of the Piāo and Xiá, it offers concealed convenience that matches the watch's artisanal complexity.