Orienta

Orienta is the first haute horology chronograph from China and also my first personal horological work. I dedicate this debut to celebrate the great achievement 60 years ago and my roots.

The movement within Orienta, NK-01, traces its architecture from Venus, a historical link to the Chinese chronograph movement and Swiss-Chinese collaborations over six decades ago. The Movement design, influenced by my concept of "l’arbre de la vie", manifests in the bridges, arms, and balance wheel, celebrating life's resilience and magnitude. Each detail is meticulously hand-finished.

The silhouette of Orienta, inspired by the Forbidden City, prioritizes symmetry. The crown and pushers align with the case's central line, and the bezel and case back are symmetrically shaped. The dial features hand-applied silvering and markers, reminiscent of the 60s, with four squared indexes echoing the imperial palace's corner towers. A gold shadow flange adds warmth to the overall aesthetic.

The unique tail variations on the hands maintain the essence of the original design from the 1960s, while the double reds enhance readability and modernity. The case, crafted from Platinum 950, suits this meaningful piece.

The strap, a result of my personal involvement in the dyeing process, boasts a unique sunshine palette. The plant-based, coating-free dyeing method ensures a perfect feel, with hand-stitched details promising a perfect look as well.

The wearability of Orienta is a result of relentless testing and modifications. Its thickness and diameter, at 10.6mm and 39.8mm respectively, are the outcome of 21 case trials, ensuring compatibility with any shirt sleeve. The sapphire pairing makes the watch lightweight and transparent. My unique lug design caters to diverse wrist sizes, eliminating wearability issues for smaller wrists.

Let’s carry the heritage forward and create more.