Four years after the launch of the Perception collection, Atelier Wen introduces the Perception V3, the most technically advanced evolution of the series to date.
While preserving the hand-guilloché dials that established the identity of the collection, the new generation introduces a major technical development through the adoption of a French-made movement supplied by Pequignet.
The result further reinforces Atelier Wen’s Sino-French approach, combining Chinese decorative craftsmanship with European mechanical engineering.
At the heart of the Perception V3 is the Pequignet EPM03, an automatic calibre developed and manufactured in-house by the French manufacture based in Morteau, near the Swiss border.
Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), the movement offers a 65-hour power reserve and is regulated to chronometer-grade standards, with a stated daily accuracy of -4/+6 seconds and an average deviation within ±2 seconds per day.
For the first time in the Perception collection, the movement incorporates a hacking-seconds function.
The winding system uses a bi-directional pawl-based architecture with a patented tooth profile designed to improve efficiency while reducing long-term wear.
The Perception V3 is offered in three versions. Piāo reprises the familiar ice-blue dial combined with brushed and polished surfaces and rhodium-plated feuille hands.
Xiá adopts a salmon-toned dial whose appearance shifts between copper and softer pink hues depending on the light.
The third version, Yún, marks the first entirely new Perception reference since the collection’s launch in 2022.
Its bamboo-green dial is paired with a micro-frosted finish applied across the case and bracelet, replacing the directional brushing used on the other variants and creating a softer contrast with the polished bevels.
Regardless of the version, the dial remains the defining element of the Perception collection. Each dial is produced by the workshop of Cheng Yucai in Xinmi, Henan province, considered China’s first master of hand-operated guilloché.
Using rose engines designed and built by Cheng himself, the dials are engraved with Atelier Wen’s signature écailles de poisson motif, whose radiating geometry creates constantly shifting reflections under changing light conditions.
The process remains entirely manual and requires several hours of uninterrupted work for each dial.
Construction details continue to reference traditional Chinese craftsmanship. The applied hour markers are assembled according to the principle of sǔn mǎo, an ancient joinery technique relying on friction rather than adhesives.
Surrounding the dial is a raised chapter ring decorated with a segmented huí wén motif filled with Super-LumiNova and serving simultaneously as the minute track.
The calibre also introduces a decoration programme developed specifically for Atelier Wen.
The bridges feature shapes inspired by traditional Chinese representations of wind and are partially filled with mirror-polished blue aventurine lacquer intended to evoke the appearance of a night sky.
Additional finishing includes Côtes de Genève on the escapement bridge, perlage, machine-executed anglage, black-polished screws, a snailed barrel and a rotor combining frosting and snailing.
A full sapphire crystal caseback now replaces the smaller opening used on previous generations, allowing a more complete view of the movement.
Crafted from 904L stainless steel, the case measures 40 mm in diameter, 47 mm lug-to-lug and 10.4 mm thick.
The profile continues to draw inspiration from traditional Chinese roof architecture, particularly in the curvature of the flanks and the angular geometry of the lugs.
Water resistance is rated to 100 metres / 330 feet, while the dial is protected by a double-domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating.
The integrated bracelet follows the same architectural language through faceted centre links inspired by traditional Chinese window patterns.
Tapering from 22 mm at the case to 18 mm at the clasp, it incorporates a concealed micro-adjustment system together with a telescopic deployant mechanism designed to reduce thickness when closed.
A quick-release system also allows the bracelet to be removed without tools.
The new Atelier Wen Perception V3 is priced at US$4,850 and is not limited. Deliveries are expected to begin in late July 2026. atelierwen.com
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