The Perception, the watch that established Atelier Wen’s recognisable identity through its distinctive style and refined details, is now available in a new limited edition: the Perception Millésime 2025 漩 (Xuán).
Defined by its natural pietersite stone dial, this new rendition of the brand's signature model is limited to 225 individually numbered pieces.
We were able to get up close with this striking timepiece ahead of its official release and are pleased to share our detailed impressions, accompanied by exclusive images captured by our own team.
Pietersite—sometimes referred to as the “Tempest Stone”—is a natural mineral distinguished by its swirling, storm-like patterns and chatoyant shimmer.
A dynamic interplay of blues, golds and browns gives each dial remarkable depth, ensuring that no two watches are exactly alike.
When the Perception was first conceived, this dialogue between material and meaning was already central to the project.
Atelier Wen’s designer, Alfred Chan, drew inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, from the balanced geometries of classical rooftops and windows to the expressive forms of stone guardian lions and the precision of traditional joinery.
A defining element of many historical architectural compounds was the miniature landscape garden, or pénjǐng—carefully arranged compositions of rock and water that were not merely decorative but served as visual and symbolic centres. These miniature gardens anchored the surrounding architecture, guided the flow of the space, and created a sense of harmony and balance.
The Perception’s pietersite dial reflects the movement and natural rhythm of these gardens, echoing their balance, flow, and interplay of forms.
Replacing the guilloché dials of previous editions, the new pietersite dial proved particularly demanding to select and manufacture.
Identifying suitable slabs of raw pietersite required a meticulous process, as only stones matching the aesthetic of mountain-water landscape gardens were used; many were set aside for unsuitable patterns or colours.
The production of the dial itself was equally challenging. Pietersite is naturally brittle, and the twelve cut-outs for the Perception’s hour indices require extreme precision.
These openings are wire-cut by hand in a stonecraft workshop in Zhejiang before the dials are sent to Guangdong for polishing. There, artisans must strike a careful balance between achieving a flawless surface finish and preserving sufficient thickness to ensure the stone’s structural integrity.
The four-layered dial construction is inspired by the ancient Chinese architectural principle of sunmao, based on friction and interlocking mortise-and-tenon joints.
Twelve precisely nested rhodium-plated indices are fitted into the cut-outs, while an elevated chapter ring, PVD-plated in black, is adorned with a traditional huí wén pattern printed in Super-LumiNova X1 grade.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this segmented motif also serves a functional purpose, doubling as the watch’s minute track.
Super-LumiNova is also applied to the leaf-shaped hour and minute hands, ensuring optimal legibility in low-light conditions.
The double-domed sapphire crystal is treated with ten layers of anti-reflective coating.
The Perception is housed in a 40 mm case measuring just 9.4 mm in thickness, crafted from 904L stainless steel, a brighter alloy than the more commonly used 316L.
Alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces accentuate the case’s clean lines and refined geometry.
The case flanks draw inspiration from the curved profiles of pagodas, while the subtly angled tops of the lugs recall traditional roof structures.
The screw-down crown, engraved with the brand’s emblem, ensures water resistance rated to 10 ATM (approximately 100 metres / 330 feet).
A defining feature of the watch is its integrated 904L steel bracelet, which tapers elegantly from 22 mm at the case to 18 mm at the clasp, while its thickness reduces from 3 mm at the lugs to 2.6 mm.
The central links adopt asymmetrical hexagonal shapes inspired by architectural elements such as rooftops and windows in traditional Chinese design.
Finishing is executed to a high standard, with vertical brushing contrasted by sharp, mirror-polished chamfers hand-finished along both edges of each link.
The bracelet is fitted with a double-folding clasp equipped with a proprietary, patent-pending on-the-fly micro-adjustment system, activated by pressing the comfort-extension button, adorned with the brand’s logo.
Quick-release spring bars allow the bracelet to be swapped for a strap quickly and easily.
With its well-balanced proportions and ideal case size, the Perception sits comfortably on the wrist, offering a versatile presence suited to a wide range of everyday settings, in line with the understated elegance expected of a luxury steel watch.
For reference, the wrist shown in our photographs measures 17.8 cm (7 inches) in circumference.
Powering the Perception 漩 (Xuán) is the SL1588A calibre, a 4 Hz (28,800 vph) extra-thin movement measuring just 3.4 mm in height.
Produced at Dandong/Peacock’s state-of-the-art facility, it has been modified by Atelier Wen to remove the date function and extend the power reserve to 41 hours.
Each movement undergoes extensive testing, including drop tests, thermal checks in hot, cold and ambient conditions, and 48 hours of continuous running, before being adjusted to an accuracy of ±10 seconds per day. After assembly, the calibre is further regulated in five positions and submitted to China’s Horological Research Institute of Light Industry (HRILI) for additional verification.
Finishing details include circular côtes de Genève on the bridges, flowing into a black rhodium-plated tungsten rotor. Careful attention is also given to smaller elements, such as polished jewel and screw sinks and flame-blued screws.
The movement can be partially seen through the Perception’s semi-display caseback, where a shaped aperture forms the mouth of a deeply embossed stone guardian lion—a traditional architectural motif.
As the rotor aligns with the opening, the lion appears to “smile”; as it moves away, the oscillating balance wheel is revealed.
Perception 漩 (Xuán) also carries a discreet hallmark of Atelier Wen’s Millésime programme, visible in the small engraved logo on the caseback.
Borrowed from the vocabulary of winemaking, the term Millésime refers to a specific year or vintage. At Atelier Wen, it designates an annual, limited and community-driven edition that offers the brand a blank canvas to explore its most experimental or most requested interpretations of existing collections.
Unlike the brand’s collaborative limited editions—which typically sell out almost instantly—the Millésime series is conceived as an exclusive yet attainable offering for the Atelier Wen community. Each annual edition is produced only once; once the production run is complete, the design is retired to maintain the series' unique status within the brand's history.
The Perception Millésime 2025 漩 (Xuán) is now available for order, with the window closing on 6 February 2026 at 04:00 CET. The first batch of 225 pieces is scheduled for delivery in Q2 2026, with remaining orders fulfilled in Q4 2026.
The price is set at US$3,600. US-bound pieces will ship DDP, with a 6% surcharge applied to account for ongoing tariffs.
The Perception 漩 (Xuán) combines Atelier Wen’s signature design, an artisanal pietersite dial, and architectural inspiration into a refined timepiece where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
This Millésime edition reflects Atelier Wen’s watchmaking philosophy and its commitment to creating community-driven pieces that remain grounded in practicality and wearability.
Produced in limited numbers and designed for everyday use, the Perception 漩 (Xuán) offers a coherent interpretation of what a contemporary, culturally rooted luxury steel watch can be. atelierwen.com
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