Suzhou numerals are an ancient Chinese counting system that blends the orderliness of Chinese square characters with the simplicity of symbols, while also embodying a unique sense of strength and beauty. This ancient script, presented in a calligraphic style and paired with porcelain—another Chinese-origin art form—unfolds an elegance imbued with strength, perfectly aligning with the serene yet powerful design philosophy of the "Journey" series.

In designing the dial, we faithfully preserved the beauty of Suzhou numerals from "one" to "ten." However, when it came to the 11 and 12 o’clock positions, we undertook careful deliberation and ultimately chose from three options:

1. Combining existing Chinese numerals;
2. Borrowing characters from the traditional Chinese numerical system;
3. Creating entirely new characters.

Respecting the Beauty of Tradition
Chinese characters have evolved over thousands of years, carrying not only aesthetic value but also cultural meaning. Our design philosophy is rooted in respecting and preserving this tradition. Innovating in this context would contradict the fundamental spirit of the watch’s design.

The Minimalist Philosophy in Design
The 12 o’clock position is the most prominent on the dial. Placing two combined characters in this space would undermine the serene yet powerful essence of the "Journey" series. The simplicity of a single character is the best way to convey the core spirit of the design.

A Time Perspective That Prioritizes Aesthetics
In our dial design, we recognize that wearers often rely more on the positions of the markers, rather than the numerals, to read the time. Therefore, the significance of numeral markers in the design transcends their functional role as time indicators and instead serves as a vehicle for aesthetic and cultural expression. Based on this understanding, we chose "廿" (20) and "卅" (30) for the 11 and 12 o’clock positions. These characters not only follow a logical numerical progression but also exhibit a unique sense of power and beauty, perfectly harmonizing with the elegant porcelain dial.

At first glance, the dial appears calm and serene, but closer inspection reveals a striking vibrancy and beauty. This sense of awe and artistry is precisely the unique charm of Suzhou numerals—melding the elegance of porcelain with the grace of calligraphy, embodying power within serenity and elegance within simplicity.

There are a few types of dials that can be easily confused with porcelain dials, including enamel dials, zirconia dials, and other ceramic dials.

Porcelain Dial: The key characteristic of a porcelain dial is its thick, transparent glaze layer, which gives the surface a lustrous and smooth appearance that changes under different lighting conditions.

Ceramic Dial: Unlike porcelain, ceramic dials typically lack a transparent glaze layer, so their surfaces are generally matte and non-reflective.

Enamel Dial: While enamel dials are also fired, they do not have a transparent glaze layer. As a result, the colors appear vibrant and direct, making them well-suited for multicolor miniature painting. However, when used as a single-color dial, they may appear somewhat plain.

Zirconia Dial: Zirconia is commonly used in industrial products like dental crowns and smartphone cases. Due to its industrial production, its luster is more glaring and monotonous compared to porcelain, and the difference is noticeable when compared side by side.

The Origin and Journey series are designed with different purposes in mind.

The Journey series is crafted for long-term daily wear. It focuses on showcasing the elegance of porcelain, with a whiter and more lustrous dial. The watch is 40mm in size, housed in a stainless steel case, which makes it low maintenance. This series is designed to accompany you through your daily life, impressing new acquaintances with its charm while offering a subtle and gentle elegance to those who know you well.

On the other hand, the Origin series is created for the special moments in life. It represents understated luxury, designed to complement your unique style. The craftsmanship in the Origin series is far more intricate compared to Journey. Each dial is meticulously painted by accomplished artists, with each color requiring multiple rounds of firing. This process carries the risk of losing the entire artwork with each firing. Wearing the Origin watch makes you the center of attention, creating a personal connection between you and the piece of art on your wrist. The case is made of pure silver, which requires some maintenance. To fully display the artwork, the dial is 42mm, and winding the watch requires removing the strap.

If you’re looking for a watch that is understated yet distinctive for daily wear, the Journey series is the right choice. However, if you’re seeking a special timepiece for particular occasions, the Origin series would be an excellent option.

Besides the differences in the depicted images, Origin's enamel micro-painting is created on porcelain dial, whereas the vast majority of other micro-paintings are done on copper dial. This leads to several significant differences:

1. Porcelain can withstand temperatures of 1,300–1,400 degrees Celsius, while copper has a melting point of only around 080 degrees Celsius. For enamel, this means that the higher firing temperature allows for more vibrant colors without compromise. In contrast, copper-based enamel micro-painting has to use lower temperatures, resulting in less vivid colors.

2. Porcelain is inherently beautiful, which allows enamel micro-painting on porcelain to feature a large amount of elegant and soft negative space. In contrast, copper-based enamel micro-painting often needs to be filled with bright colors to cover the entire dial, as the base material is less visually appealing on its own.

3. Enamel micro-painting on porcelain is much more challenging. Although porcelain can endure high temperatures, it cannot withstand rapid heating and cooling. Unlike copper-based enamel micro-painting, which can be heated and cooled within tens of minutes, each color in porcelain enamel micro-painting requires at least 12 hours for heating or cooling. A single dial typically undergoes more than firing ten processes, and the risk increases significantly with the extended duration.

Both enamel and porcelain undergo high-temperature firing, which allows their colors to remain vibrant and fresh for centuries.

The dial markers are printed using a special ink. The reason they have a three-dimensional appearance is because the porcelain has a transparent glaze layer. The patterns or markers printed on top cast a faint shadow below, creating a floating effect that contributes to the overall three-dimensional look.

If the product is temporarily out of stock or in a pre-order status, we will clearly state the exact shipping time on the product page. We will ensure that the product is shipped by the specified date.

If it's a warranty issue, we will cover all related shipping costs.

We have invited several renowned porcelain artists to create pieces for the Origin series, each reflecting their unique style. The pricing for each artist's work varies, not only due to their time and effort but also because of the complexity and skill required for each piece. However, the value of art should not be measured solely by cost and difficulty; it's more important to choose a piece that resonates with you and brings you satisfaction.

If you're having trouble deciding, we recommend the "Seas&Cliffs" piece. While relatively simple, it is exquisitely crafted and carries a profound sense of depth and timeless beauty.

We hope these suggestions help you find the artwork that best suits your taste.