Atelier Wen Unveils Perception V3, Fusing French Craftsmanship with Chinese Aesthetics

For less than a decade, Atelier Wen, co-founded by Robin Tallendier and Wilfried Buiron, has been impressively synthesizing elite watchmaking and Chinese cultural elements. Initially known for accessible timepieces distinctly imprinted with a Chinese ethos, the brand has gradually transitioned into unlatching profound cultural aspects, thus finding its niche. The company’s magnum opus is, undoubtedly, the Perception, an intriguing interpretation of the integrated sports watch group, now pivoting into its next chapter with the Perception V3.

Upon launching in 2022, Perception marked a significant stride for Atelier Wen. Shifting from classic models exuding Chinese aesthetics, the marquee model explored the integrated sports watch genre with sophistication and bold design. Achieving recognition for Chinese craftsmanship on a global stage, the Perception entrusts its dial to Cheng Yucai, China’s first guilloché master craftsman.

This cross-continental partnership sprouted with the Ancestra collection and flourished in the tantalum Inflection. To attain better precision and enhance the horological value, Atelier Wen transitioned from Chinese-made movements to French-crafted ones, facilitated by the reliable Pequignet calibre. Echoing this venture, Perception V3 embraces the same base framework, the automatic calibre EPM03, albeit in a much altered manner.

Pequignet, one of the remaining independent movement manufacturers in France, operates close to the Swiss border in Morteau. The Calibre EPM03, a variant of the Calibre Initial, is a state-of-the-art movement humming at 4Hz and stockpiling approximately 65 hours power reserve, achieving chronometer-grade accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day, averaging ±2 seconds per day, effortlessly exceeding the standards of the Observatoire Chronométrique de Besançon. This major upgrade also provides the Perception with a hacking second function for the first time. The Perception V3 exemplifies the seamless blend of Sino-French horology, threading the past and the present effortlessly.