The Vermilion Bird

Description

Vermilion Bird

The Dongyi Wanxiang Watch "Vermilion Bird" is a revolutionary masterpiece in modern watchmaking. Within its 42mm diameter, over two thousand hand-engraved details are hidden.

This piece employs a miniature casting process, using highly precise digital sculpting to create a miniature mold.

(Please note: No AI technology is used in any of the processes; everything is done manually, even the sculpting is done digitally on a computer.) After creating the digital mold, precise miniature casting is performed, resulting in 14 extremely precise three-dimensional S925 sterling silver components. (The digital sculpture was created by sculptor Chia Lung-Hsi, a master sculptor with over 30 years of experience.)

The sculpture's components underwent approximately 200 hours of meticulous three-dimensional chasing, polishing, and finishing by Taiwanese goldsmith Ni Sheng-Xiang, a master craftsman with over 30 years of jewelry experience. Each feather was sculpted with exquisite detail, and traditional techniques were used to apply gold leaf and set gemstones. Finally, a protective varnish was applied, giving the Vermilion Bird a dramatic chiaroscuro effect under light and shadow.

(Black lacquer applied to the crevices of the sculpture to enhance detail.)

To cater to younger watch collectors (those unfamiliar with mechanical watches), we equipped it with the highly reliable and globally compatible SW-200-1 movement, ensuring collectors worldwide can receive timely maintenance and repair at their local artisan workshops.

Bard's Whisper has achieved "democratization of art and craftsmanship" with this piece. We present miniature gold-sculpted art, which previously cost tens of thousands of Swiss francs, to craft enthusiasts worldwide at a very reasonable price (approximately CHF 2,850), allowing more craft lovers to enter the watchmaking community.

At the new product launch press conference in August 2025, BW became a leading representative of new sculptural art watches in Taiwan, creating a unique blue ocean market for watches and cultivating a brand-exclusive customer base of over 100,000 people (Facebook, Instagram).

This piece uses Chinese culture as its theme, with Tainan, Taiwan as its watchmaking center. It combines the work of artisans and artists from across Asia (China, Taiwan, Thailand), with all aspects—including metalwork, painting, case, assembly, and strap—handcrafted.

In Chinese culture, the "Vermilion Bird" originated in the 11th century BC (1046–771 BCE), also known as the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols of Heaven; it symbolizes protection, peace, and the bestowal of energy.

The value of this piece lies not only in watchmaking but also in pioneering a new type of watchmaking market and shaping the future working environment for artisans, giving it a competitive edge in the future AI era.

*Historical reference for the floral and bird motif on the bronze mirror in the center of the dial: Originating from the Tang Dynasty in China (circa 7th-8th century AD), this piece showcases the highly developed metalwork and decorative arts of the Tang Dynasty with its intricate vine and bird patterns.

Currently housed in the National Museum of Asian Art (formerly the Freer Gallery of Art), part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Supplied by the brand to the GPHG for its entry.