Atelier Wen takes us “Inside The Atelier” in New Web Series
As a watch journalist, I will often get access to a brand, including their manufacturing, that most collectors don't get access too. And its a perk that I really enjoy as a hobbyist myself. It isn’t often a brand will give that type of access to the general public, let alone through a video format like YouTube. Much less common, is a Chinese brand showcasing their watchmaking prowess for the public to see (and launching the series today, on Chinese New Year, of all days).
But Atelier Wen isn’t exactly your typical Chinese watch brand. Known for “breaking the mold” and elevating the Chinese watch manufacturing industry, Atelier Wen is continuing to do things that you wouldn’t expect. Like launching a new web series that goes inside their manufacturing process. And their first episode of “Insider the Atelier” showcases founders Robin Tallendier and Wilfried Buiron doing just that.
In the first episode, Robin and Wilfried travel to Xinmi, China, to meet with Cheng Yucai, Atelier Wen’s dial Guillocheur. Now you’ve seen guilloche dials before, but perhaps you didn’t know that Cheng is the only master guilloché craftsman in all of China. And his story to get there is quite interesting.
If you enjoyed the late Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown” or are like me and can’t get enough of Phil Rosenthal’s “Somebody Feed Phil” this will be up your alley. Not only do you get to see the behind the scenes process of hand guillocheing a watch, but also follow Robin, Wilfried and Cheng as they explore Xinmi.
If you would like to watch the full video of “Inside the Atelier”, we have embeded the YouTube video below. You can also find the link to the video here and and visit Atelier Wen’s website here.