Is This Cheap Chinese Watch Worth It?

The last thing you’d think of when it comes to Chinese watches is quality. At least, not high quality. We’ve become used to China shipping cheap, reasonably reliable product for some time now, and we’ve even seen some basic attempts at novel complications like the tourbillon and perpetual calendar—but none executed with any real degree of quality. Atelier Wen wants to change all that.

Featured Watches:
Atelier Wen Perception

[AvroBellow]

When I first saw the dial the first thing that went through my head was "The Chinese are using a Rose Machine?" and sure enough, that's exactly what they're doing. This is just amazing!

[mdel]

Is it just me, or is there a hair inside the watch in the macro shots at 3:26 ?

[michaelniemer]

I think most impressive is how Master Chen developed (and patented) his own rose engine to make the guilloche dial just the way he wanted it.

[drchung]

Crazy this used to be ~$1800 USD. Now priced at $3k USD. The fact you can get a guilloche dial for this pricepoint tho is still insane. Fortunately was able to get a reservation for the next batch, can't wait to get the salmon dial version!

[themrmarkprior]

Characterful case, beautiful dial structure. Like it a lot. But is it me, or is the dial finish around the indices a bit shabby?

[jakekaywell]

Looking at this. I see shades of 1980s Pobedas and ZiMs from the USSR. Case shape, dial texturing, handset, everything. Not that that's a bad thing, as anyone who has owned a Pobeda/ZiM can attest. I'm excited to see where this company goes. Great look as always, Watchfinder!

[mikerr]

I really hope they have better QC on a the final models because there are way to much details that are imperfect on this one. There is also clearly a hair on the dial wich can bee seen at 3:25 & 4:30. We are talking about a 2.6k watch that should not happen.

[chriswatson]

Not a fan of the salmon/pink dial but the blue and gray actually look really nice. Quite surprising. They would definitely be a conversation piece to someone into watches. The watchfinder presentation is absolutely outstanding as always too!

[AliasEveWatches]

This salmon Perception is beautiful! The dial, caseback, and case is gorgeous.

[MuditBadlani]

Fantastic video (as is mostly the case).

This is the first time outside of Grand Seiko and A Lange & Sohne that I've immediately wanted to buy a watch without even looking at it in real life - difference is, I can actually hope to afford/fiscally justify this in the medium term 😅

[roybatty]

The dial is a messy disaster where it meets the text and hour markers.

[rustknuckleirongut]

Would have liked it a lot more if the dial just read "Wen". The atelier part just makes it sound a bit try hard.

[Laz_Arus]

I'm so pleased to see you reviewing the Perception and showing some macro vision. I, like many others, was hovering over the keyboard as the time approached for these to go on sale, and was fortunate to get an order in within a couple of minutes of being available. Looking forward to receiving mine, in blue, towards the end of the year. 👍

[xavshelby]

Thanks for sharing the work of Atelier Wen! Very impressive for the money. Looking forward to seeing where this brand will go!

[TheTimeCat]

Great video and content. Appreciate the diversity of watch representation. Too bad they are sold out and I has missed out on their past porcelain dial too

[leeharding]

Trouble is this is Oris money and Oris has it’s own identity and quality throughout the watch. Quite a few finishing flaws on these but hopefully they will keep trying.

[mrgadget]

Finally a watch that I can afford! Better buy one before these cost thousands too... Thankfully they didn't spoil this watch with a date complication.

[miloradvranjkovic]

Can't tell properly but looks like there is a hair stuck in the dial @ 03:26

[charlesflint]

Thanks, I didn’t know about these. I’ll be saving up my pocket money now for one.

[ColinRobinson]

Do you know what other country was known for making cheap knock-offs of designs from abroad? Switzerland.