Atelier Wen Perception Millésime 2025 – 漩 Xuán
Millésime is a French term from the wine world: it refers to a specific vintage, an exceptional summer, unique conditions, a wine that cannot be replicated. Atelier Wen adopted this term faithfully in spirit and in practice. One edition every year. Once it's gone, it won't return.
The second Millésime is designated 漩 Xuán. The Chinese character means vortex, current, flow. A glance at the dial immediately justifies the name.
Pietersite: a stone that looks like flowing water
Pietersite is a rare semi-precious stone composed mainly of crocidolite, whose fibers have undergone a geological process of undulation, fracturing, and recasting into a siliceous matrix. The resulting structure is chaotic, swirling, and deeply blue with black streaks of the underlying quartz. Each slab of pietersite is unique, and no two dials look alike.
The selection of this stone was no accident. Atelier Wen placed it in the context of the Chinese garden tradition 山水盆景, where flowing water and rock formations form the symbolic heart of the home. The swirling patterns of pietersite fulfill this image without any intervention. The resulting pattern formed over thousands of years.
Four-piece sǔn mǎo dial construction
The stone dial is built on the same principle as Perception V3: four pieces held together without adhesive, using the sǔn mǎo technique, a Chinese carpentry method of joining by friction and overlap. Above the stone plates sits a minute ring with a huiwen pattern printed with Super-LumiNova X1 and black PVD-coated and applied rhodium-plated indices. Rhodium-plated leaf hands with Super-LumiNova X1 are hand-bent.
Movement: Dandong SL1588
Unlike the Perception V3 with the French Pequignet EPM03, the Millésime 2025 is powered by the Chinese Dandong SL1588 caliber, an ultra-thin automatic movement with a height of only 3.4 mm, 32 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a power reserve of 41 hours. The movement is tested by the Horological Research Institute of Light Industry (HRILI) and decorated with circular Côtes de Genève and heat-blued screws. The tungsten rotor features circular Côtes de Genève with black rhodium plating.
The accuracy of ±10 s/day is regulated in five positions and for temperature fluctuations. The case back is partially transparent (sapphire) with a view of the balance bridge and rotor. The surrounding frame features a hammered texture and an embossed stone lion motif, a traditional guardian of Chinese palaces and temples.
Case and bracelet
The 904L steel case has a diameter of 40 mm, a lug-to-lug length of 47 mm, and a thickness of only 9.4 mm, a millimeter thinner than the Perception V3 thanks to the more compact movement. Although the diameter indicates 40 mm, the feel on the wrist is closer to 38 or 39 mm. The screw-down crown ensures 100m water resistance.
The bracelet, made of the same 904L steel, tapers from 22 mm at the case to 18 mm at the clasp and gradually thins from 3 to 2.6 mm. Individually beveled links are fitted with quick-release spring bars. The clasp features a patented on-the-fly micro-adjustment and a telescopic deployant blade mechanism.
Millésime: numbered vintage
Only a limited quantity was produced, and we managed to secure only one piece.
