Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Editions of the Proudly Chinese Céladon Century Collection
Métiers d’art watches proudly made in China, the traditional way.
Céladon is a project established in 2012 by watch aficionado and collector Benjamin Chee. It is part of his small group of watch brands, alongside BCHH and Milléchron. If these two relate to Europe and Switzerland, Céladon was created to celebrate Chinese artisanship, with watches “Made in China with pride.” In particular, the brand’s timepieces are powered with movements designed by AHCI master watchmaker Lin Yong Hua (LYH). For 2024, Céladon unveils an array of new models within the Century collection, fitted with expressive artistic dials and different customization options, including a choice between the CH1 and CH5 hand-wound movements.
Featuring a classic Chinese motif, the Céladon Century Double Dragon was created to celebrate the year of the Dragon and Céladon’s Zodiac anniversary, marking 12 years (a complete Chinese zodiac cycle) since the creation of the brand. The watch stands out with its two dragons fighting playfully. Rendered in blue and white, typical Ming-inspired colours, these are traced in cloisonné enamel. Cloisonné is a delicate and time-consuming process. The enameller creates the contours of the patterns with fine gold wires. The cells created by these “cloisons” are then filled layer after layer with enamel and fired in a kiln.
Another classic Chinese motif, the Century Dragon and Phoenix (which we could not check in person and photograph) portrays a flying dragon and dancing phoenix. The pictures provided are a monochromatic rendering of the two mythical animals but these can be produced in a multicolour version too, for instance in Ming blue and white like for the Century “Double Dragon”. And a similar way, the “Double Dragon” can be ordered in a monochromatic version.
The Céladon Century Duo of Peacocks follows the successful Peacock and Peonies. The coloured plumage of the peacocks is rendered in Cloisonné enamel while the background is hand-hammered.
Last but not least, the Céladon Galaxy and Nebula are star gazing invitations whose dials combine two enamel techniques, miniature painting and gold paillonné. The subtle sparkle of Paillonné involves the application of wafer-thin leaves of gold (paillons) and setting the design under a coat of translucent enamel (fondant).
All models are presented in the distinctive moon-shaped Century case. According to Benjamin Chee, its design was inspired by the Chinese concept of yuanman (perfection and fulfilment), characterized by round, curvaceous forms. Crafted from 904L stainless steel, it measures 42mm in diameter, 11.5mm in thickness, and has a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.4mm. Its flat crown is elegantly integrated into the case profile but operates quite comfortably.
Traditional for Céladon, the artisanal dimension of the production allows for different customization options. Among these, the hand-made peacock tail hands can be rendered in different shades of thermal colouring: blue, purple or transition…
Importantly, there are different movement options too with either the hand-wound calibre CH1 or the more sophisticated calibre CH5. Created by AHCI master watchmaker Lin Yong Hua, these two manual movements beat at 18,000 vibrations/hour, both boasting a power reserve of 45 hours. The CH1 features a three-quarter bridge plated in rose gold with sweeping rounded curves and rubies set into chatons. The CH5 is a more elaborate calibre whose bridges, balance cock and click are designed to allude to the crested head and tail feathers of the phoenix. Among other highlights, it features inward and outward angles, a planetary winding click, serpentine spokes for the centre wheel or a balance wheel fitted with a Breguet overcoil. Different finishing can be elected with, for instance, the ability to personalize the colour (rose or white gold plating), the finish (frosted or striped bridges) and the engravings.
These new Céladon Century watches are presented on leather straps and fitted with a pin buckle. Price starts at USD 14,900 with the CH1 movement and USD 29,900 for the Century with the CH5 movement.
For more information, please visit www.celadonhh.com
