In their stated mission to prove that Chinese craftsmanship and artisanship can be worthy of attention usually reserved for European brands, French-Chinese watchmakers Atelier Wen have consistently put out intriguing pieces since their debut in 2017. Next on that growing list is the Perception V3, which builds on the reputation for hand-crafted horology that came with the original Perception line in 2022.
The new V3 model takes elements of the V1 and V2 watches, particularly the hand-turned guilloché́ dials by renowned artisan Cheng Yucai, and aims to perfect the mechanics and aesthetics of the lineup. Three models are on offer, with two colorways returning from previous iterationts—the Piāo in ice-blue and Xiá in salmon—while a new variant, Yún in bamboo green, joins the pack. The three colors are both vibrant and easy on the eyes, favoring a more muted hue that pairs well with the pagoda-inspired lines of the 904L stainless steel of the case and bracelet.
Speaking of the case, it measures in at 40mm in diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug, the same dimensions as the V2, with the exception of the now-thinner 10.4mm case height. A knurled crown and full exhibition caseback give the V3 watches 100 meters of water resistance. The case additionally features more directional brushing and mirror polishing than previous iterations, while the Yún model additionally steps up the craftsmanship with micro-frosting in place of the brushed surfaces.
The dials, though, are where Atelier Wen pieces shine, and the V3 collection is no different. The Piāo’s blue is meant to call to mind distant mountains at dawn, while the Xiá is evocative of the afterglow of the sun in the sky at dusk. The brand new Yún refers to bamboo skin, which Atelier Wen describes as “a symbol of resilience in Chinese culture”. Each dial is hand-turned by the workshop of China’s first guilloché́ master craftsman, Cheng Yucai, in the country’s Henan province, and the outward-radiating curves are engraved with a diamond-tipped chisel on a hand-operated rose engine. These curves reflect light in different ways depending on the angle, and are inspired by sǔn mǎo, the ancient Chinese principle of assembly through friction. An elevated chapter ring locks the applied indices into cutouts on the dial; a traditional huí wén pattern decorates the ring, serving as the minute track, and is printed in Super-LumiNova.The aforementioned knurled crown also wears this pattern, tying the theming of the V3 models together in a subtle finish.
Inside, the Perception V3 shows its French roots. A Pequignet calibre EPM03 automatic movement provides 65 hours of power reserve, and is equipped with hacking seconds. Rhodium-plated feuille hands show the hours and minutes, all visible through a double-domed box sapphire with anti-reflective coating inside and out. The final piece of the puzzle comes in the form of a tapered bracelet, 22mm at the lugs and 18mm at the micro-adjustmentable clasp.
While it’s hard to argue against the fact that Europe and Japan are still king in the world of luxury watchmaking, brands like Atelier Wen continue to challenge that notion. The Perception V3 lineup also proves that they are willing to move upmarket in a meaningful way, and put their ideals of high-end craftsmanship in the same market as their more storied competitors. It’s a lofty feat, and one that shouldn’t be ignored.
To reflect the carefully-curated artisan construction of the Perception V3 line, Atelier Wen has priced the models at $4,850. All models are available to order now, and deliveries begin in September 2026 for the first 300 orders. Atelier Wen
Elodie Townsend
2026-05-19 16:00:00