Khemea - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Khemea, founded in 2020, is an independent house based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, created by watchmaker Shona Taine; its debut piece, Arkhea, embraces artisanal high watchmaking (grand feu enamel, hand-guilloché) built around a tourbillon and “poetic” displays.

Horological “alchemy” and poetic readouts: Arkhea’s core

The name “Khemea” nods to Greek alchemy and to a dialogue between ancient crafts and contemporary architecture: an off-centre grand-feu enamel hours/minutes dial, a silver moon on aventurine, hand-guilloché and a tourbillon at 6 o’clock; on the back, a power-reserve scale completes the ensemble. The result is a sensorial legibility in which each indication “lives” in its own scene rather than being merely pointed to by hands.

Tourbillon, under-dial moonphases and a “poetic” date: range waypoints

Arkhea concentrates the brand’s signatures: a hand-wound tourbillon (calibre K10, 100 hours, single barrel), innovative moonphases with the moon rotating beneath the hour sub-dial, and a “poetic” calendar on an aventurine disc that’s read at a glance. You first pick the visual universe (white enamel, aventurine, darker finishes), then your preferred wrist presence and limited edition.

• Khemea Arkhea — Approx. 40 mm, ~10 mm thick, 316L steel, 50 m; off-centre hours/minutes, tourbillon at 6, silver moon on aventurine, “poetic” date, power reserve on the back; initial run stated at 12 pieces.
• Khemea Arkhea Tourbillon Black — Dark-themed variant (white enamel with black accents) offered via specialist partners; listed at CHF 86,000 before tax.

Positioning, pricing and reach

Khemea sits in the high-end independent space with very small runs (12 pieces for the first Arkhea, later volumes not disclosed), pricing around CHF 86,000 before tax for the dark variant, and selective distribution blending direct sales with specialist partners (Watchmakers United, The Limited Edition). The core audience values artisanal watchmaking with expressive displays and a close link to the maker.

Conclusion

Khemea is for those who want independent haute horlogerie where enamel, guilloché and a restrained tourbillon serve a poetic reading of time. Arkhea, in very limited numbers, favours nuance and materials over ostentation; the Tourbillon Black increases wrist presence without betraying the original balance. Decide between classical whiteness and darker contrast, and between the pull of rarity and day-to-day practicality. To ground your choice in ownership reality, rely on Dialicious customer reviews.

(Updated August 2025)