Does the Atelier Wen Perception Wristcheck 传承 offer the most hypnotising dial of the year?
Borna BošnjakAfter the wildly successful launch of Atelier Wen’s first batch of their handmade guilloché-dialled Perception, the brand is collaborating with Austen Chu of Wristcheck and @horoloupe fame. Cased in a grade 5 titanium case and sporting a gorgeous jade green dial, the Atelier Wen Perception Wristcheck edition carries the “传承” name, which stands for “New beginnings”. The 100-piece limited edition combines the mastery of the only artisan in China capable of producing guilloché dials by hand with a Chinese movement customised exclusively for Atelier Wen.
Single-artisan operation
Master Cheng Yucai became enamoured with the art of guilloché nearly 10 years ago, and his drive to create one himself was not to be stopped by such inconveniences like having to build his own rose engines. Within five years, he was granted a patent for his lathe, and his Henan workshop is now home to four machines, all manned by apprentices.
And what a dial it is. While the original Perception was no slouch with its intricate, though decidedly more classic, barleycorn-like guilloché pattern, the Wristcheck special edition is outfitted with a wavy sunray pattern in a stunning jade hue.
New case material
The dial pattern isn’t the only novelty, either. While the original was hewn of 904L stainless steel for increased sheen and corrosion resistance, the 传承 comes crafted out of grade 5 titanium. The muted, brushed surfaces of the lightweight metal play beautifully with the expressive dial, with subtle polished highlights around the edges.
The integrated bracelet is titanium too, featuring a buckle with on-the-fly adjustment, while the extra FKM rubber strap with 904L steel buckle reinforces the Perception’s sports watch status, complete with 100 metres of water resistance. Despite the change in material, Atelier Wen ensured the Perception retained its svelte proportions. At 40mm in diameter, 9.4mm in height and 47mm lug-to-lug, it’s suitable for a multitude of wrist sizes.
Semi-hidden movement
Partially obscured behind a deeply engraved lion caseback is the Dandong SL1588 automatic movement. With 41 hours of power reserve and temperature-adjusted in five positions, it’s relatively well-decorated with côtes de Genève, perlage and the lightest of bevels on the bridges. A funky touch I really enjoy is the jade-coloured tungsten rotor, matched to the dial with its rhodium plating.
Atelier Wen is extremely proud of the Chinese-made aspect of their watches, and I greatly respect them for that. This is often a term that’s misused to represent poor quality, but it’s really refreshing to see many Chinese brands breaking through that negative stereotype.
Atelier Wen x Wristcheck Perception 传承 Special Edition pricing and availability:
The Atelier Wen x Wristcheck Perception 传承 is available now from wristcheck.com. Price: US$3,400, HKD26,700
| Brand | Atelier Wen |
| Model | Perception x Wristcheck 传承 Special Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 9.4mm x 47mm |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Double-domed sapphire with AR coating |
| Dial | Hand-engraved guilloché in jade colour |
| Strap | Grade 5 titanium bracelet and grey FKM rubber strap with 904L steel buckle |
| Movement | Dandong SL1588, automatic, 41-hour power reserve |
| Price | US$3,400 HKD26,700 |