Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng'

Atelier Wen

Grail Watch 12: Atelier Wen Red Tantalum '鸿 Hóng'

$10,000.00 USD
Our latest collaboration with Atelier Wen sets a new benchmark in Chinese watchmaking. With a complete tantalum construction — from the case and crown to the integrated bracelet — the Perception Tantalum '鸿 Hóng' proudly stands as the first serially produced integrated bracelet watch made entirely from the metal.
The appeal of tantalum is multifold. For many first encountering a tantalum watch, the initial reaction is one of surprise at its unexpected heft. The metal is, in fact, nearly as heavy as gold is while being more than twice as hard, translating into significantly better resistance to scratches and wear. Combined with an understated color reminiscent of titanium, there's a real 'IYKYK' quality — if you know what tantalum is, you know how truly rare it is. The rarity stems less from its physical scarcity but in the technical challenges watchmakers have to surmount when moulding, cutting, finishing the metal. Anecdotally, tantalum is said to be three times more difficult to work with than platinum, wearing out the machining at a significantly higher rate. Despite all this, Grail Watch 12: '鸿 Hóng' still features the same considered finishings throughout its construction, including highly polished inner angles between the bracelet links.
Other hallmarks of Atelier Wen remain present in '鸿 Hóng'. It presesnts the same intricate diamond-structured guilloché à main dial from our last release, ‘粹 Cùi’, which is the most complicated pattern ever put out by the brand. Handcrafted in Master Cheng's workshop, it requires relay-style coordination between three artisans for a combined total of 36 hours of work. It's rendered in a jubliant shade of red that contrasts wonderfully with the blue-grey undertone of tantalum.
The name '鸿 Hóng', which translates into a large vastness, speaks to the sheer ambition of the six-year old Chinese brand. With this first exotic metal execution of the Perception, Atelier Wen eschewed more traditional precious materials and went straight for the moon shot, a feat not attempted by many watchmakers of varying scales. At US $10,000, '鸿 Hóng' offers an incredible value proposition for a tantalum vision of Atelier Wen's cult favourite model.
Shipping to commence from end November to early December. 
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Specifications
Movement: Self-winding extra thin Dandong caliber SL1588; 41-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 40mm x 9.4mm; 99.9% pure Tantalum; water resistant to 100m; solid Tantalum caseback
Dial:  Red guilloché with ‘diamond’ pattern; rhodium-plated applied indexes; Chinese huiwen-patterned chapter ring in raw brass; Super-LumiNova filled hands and chapter ring
Strap: 99.9% pure Tantalum bracelet (polished inner angles of center links), stainless steel sliding mechanism
Availability: Limited to 25 numbered pieces

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TANTALUM MOONSHOT

For its first exotic metal execution of the Perception, Atelier Wen eschewed more traditional precious materials and went straight for the 'diabolical metal'. Weighing nearly the same as gold while boasting more than twice the hardness, it combines premium heft with a significantly higher resistance to scratches and wear. It's also hypoallergenic in nature, making it suitable for wearers with metal allergies. All these, however, come with significant challenges to the watchmaker. Anecdotally, tantalum is said to be three times more difficult to work with than platinum; it requires machining techniques bespoke to the metal and wears out the machining tools at a significantly higher rate. The result, however, is worth it: Grail Watch 12: '鸿 Hóng' proudly stands as the first integrated bracelet watch serially produced in tantalum.

gullochѐ brilliance

The guilloché pattern found on 鸿 Hóng is meticulously handcrafted in Master Cheng’s workshop, and is the most complicated work ever put out by the brand. Creating this pattern demanded the synchronized efforts of three artisans, working together for up to 36 hours without interruption. The precision required is extraordinary: a cutting error exceeding 0.002 millimeters becomes glaringly obvious with this intricate design. Any visible mistake meant a do-over; the resulting yield rate is just fifty percent, and the result is nothing short of spectacular.

SPORTS CHIC SPLENDOR

The proportions of this Atelier Wen Perception are practically perfect for a modern sports watch. The case itself, architectural in nature with its rounded octagonal shape, is inspired by the concave outline of traditional Chinese pagoda rooftops. The 40mm width is offset with a very slender 9.4mm height, achieved thanks to a slim SL1588 caliber. Of course, with 100 meters of water resistance, it lives up to its sports watch promise.

EVERYTHING THAT GLITTERS

The integrated bracelet looks and feels exceptional from every angle. Despite the increased challenges of working with tantalum, the watch exhibits the same beautiful mixed finishing collectors have come to expect from the brand. The brushed H-links minimize the appearance of scratches, while the polished inner angles catch the light with a subtle gleam, creating a delightful visual nuance.