Shanghai Morning Gold Microcarving Minute Repeater Watch

Description

Core Crafts: Precious metal micro-engraving, gemstone micro-mosaic inlay, minute repeater complicated watchmaking technique

A collectible artistic timepiece crafted by Shanghai Watch in collaboration with master metal engraver Meihua, this model is limited to 7 pieces worldwide. Each piece features exclusive mosaic inlay patterns, making every watch a unique solitary work. Created entirely by hand over eight months with more than 2,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, it perfectly integrates Shanghai’s Haipai urban culture with top-tier haute horlogerie.

Blending mechanical art with urban memory, the watch draws its core inspiration from the historic Shanghai Bund Customs House. Completed in 1893, the building once stood as the tallest structure on the Bund. Its iconic bell tower standardized the tonnage tax timing for ships sailing on the Huangpu River, advancing the standardization and modernization of port management. The solemn bell that awakens the city every morning is perfectly condensed into miniature horological art through exquisite hand engraving.

The watch adopts an innovative layered dial structure, presenting a panoramic view overlooking Lujiazui from the Bund via sophisticated multi-metal micro-engraving techniques. The central Customs House is finely sculpted in 18K gold, while the distant Lujiazui skyline is outlined with 18K gold. The shimmering Huangpu River is carved from PT950 platinum, and the soft, profound sky is meticulously crafted from oxidized silver, forming a three-dimensional miniature urban landscape. The thinnest engraving section measures merely 0.1 millimeters.

Encircling the dial is an exquisite micro-mosaic gemstone ring, inspired by the octagonal caisson ceiling murals inside the Customs House. The eight-sided ceiling is adorned with colorful mosaic maritime motifs depicting ancient sailing ships and warships, integrated with geometric and floral elements. Carefully selected natural gemstones including red coral, jadeite and turquoise are inlaid manually to restore the classic maritime patterns, delivering delicate, exquisite and stunning visual effects.

The case back features an engraved traditional Chinese treasure junk sailing on the sea. The bow is carved with a mythical pixiu sea guardian beast, an ancient sacred creature believed to dispel sea monsters, calm stormy waves and protect maritime navigation. Rooted in ancient Chinese reverence for the ocean and worship of natural deities, this design embodies the uniqueness of traditional Chinese shipbuilding culture, reflecting ancient people’s profound wisdom and artistic interpretation of the sea. Overcoming extreme millimeter-level engraving difficulties, the timepiece features a hand-assembled delicate rigging system on the gold-carved junk, paired with platinum waves and oxidized silver sky. All movement fixing screws are subtly hidden within the hull structure, perfectly integrating oriental aesthetics with Shanghai’s inclusive and pioneering urban spirit.

Equipped with an innovative concealed time-reading system and a high-end minute repeater movement, the watch features a transparent sapphire minute rotating disc overlaying the artistic dial, blending time indication and landscape integration perfectly. The minute repeater mechanism reproduces the century-old melodious chime of the Bund bell tower with rich layered tones. The transparent case back fully showcases the precise operation of the striking mechanism.

The timepiece is fitted with a 46mm 18K gold case, an octagonal sapphire-set crown, and a hand-stitched alligator strap from Jean Rousseau with an 18K gold buckle. Centered on premium handcrafted artistic techniques, it combines profound cultural heritage and sophisticated watchmaking technology, standing as a benchmark masterpiece of contemporary Chinese artistic haute horlogerie.

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.