Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

D.W.Y.T. was a small, unassuming French brand that sadly disappeared after ten years. They offered watches designed as accessible fashion accessories, easily adaptable to any mood thanks to quick-release spring bars. The cases were made of wood, a material that isn't necessarily very resistant to scratches over time, but which has the advantage of being lightweight and having a warm feel, unlike metals (wood is typically two orders of magnitude less conductive than steel, 100 times less so, whereas a titanium alloy, for example, is only 10 times less). However, the case back, which is in contact with the skin of the wrist, is made of gold-plated steel, not wood like the rest of the case.

I have a Vela with a smooth, fir green leather strap and a pin buckle. It's a watch that weighs 21g, has a diameter of 34mm, and is 8mm thick. The case is made of black sandalwood.
Since I like minimalist dials, this one suits me well: four white hour markers and two white hands on a dark background, making it very legible. The red sweeping seconds hand provides a little extra precision when needed. The gold flange adds a touch of elegance to the familiar simplicity of the hands. It's a model I appreciate.
To change the battery, you need a screwdriver, to remove four screws and detach the case back; it's a small SR621SW.

The brand name "Do Waste Your Time" is an invitation to take your time. Because being obsessed with not wasting time—which, incidentally, could be written with the same acronym DWYT for Don't Waste Your Time—means getting stuck in a routine, stressing yourself out, and missing out on things just waiting to be discovered. Serendipity requires precisely the ability to unexpectedly take one's time when necessary, provided one isn't caught up in distractions at that moment. Watches are often called "timekeepers," originally because marine chronometers literally kept the correct time when other instruments drifted. So it's in a sense of precision. But when I hear this expression, I inevitably think of "time reserve," like a "pantry" that stores food in the absence of a refrigerator. However, there isn't a time reserve for when we need it. A reserve that we could replenish when we have downtime. Perhaps artificial intelligence will soon take control of our time management through digital assistants in order to optimize our time. This watch goes against the grain of perfect time management via AI; it is remarkably simple and reminds us that we can be free to take our time.

The soundtrack I associate with this watch is "Il est libre Max" by Hervé Cristiani https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=VoLvbuIGFwI
Adjectives: light, warm, simple, accessible, customizable
Dimensions: weight 21g, thickness 8mm, case 34mm, black sandalwood

Let's take our time

Raketa is known for its 24-hour movements. This one is a bit special since it is associated with an inner bezel on which the main time zones are represented. But the language used is English and the city for CET is neither Berlin nor Paris but Geneva. In addition, on a lower circle are represented the Antarctic bases, the Antarctic continent having all the time zones, even if on some no bases are built. 
What I really like, besides this internal crown of universal time, is the night version which gives an extreme delicacy. Often the Raketa models were offered in two versions, day (white dial) and night (black dial). The thin white hands moving on the black dial always give me an impression of hushed delicacy. Added to this is the caseback number 333 that the seller from the far north assured was a message from the archangel Gabriel, a message of joy, peace and love, even if I don't know if this number is original, it doesn't hurt to wear such a number. The dial only represents the indexes of even hours and indicates odd hours with 24-minute sub-indexes (1/60 of the turn of the small hand) and 1/60 of the turn of the large hand which turns in one hour and therefore each sub-index for the large hand corresponds to one minute like all watches). Midnight being at the top of the dial and noon at the bottom. This may seem unusual as a way of doing things but in fact it is very practical to use.
The case is made of chrome-plated brass with a diameter of 38mm and a stainless steel caseback. The movement is a 2623N 24 Hours which is known to be robust and reliable.
In the end it's a watch that I really appreciate
Adjectives: Delicate, cosmopolitan, universal, soft, celestial, planetary, elegant, extreme, angelic, practical

White-gloved night traveler

The 901609 is a true classic for lovers of minimalist designs. It has just the right elements: twelve Arabic numerals, a minute track limited to the markers, three slim black hands, and a Luch logo in script. This strong contrast ensures excellent legibility. Some models even offer dial customization.

The movement is a 23-jewel Luch 2209, notable for its orange-yellow hue. The case measures 34 mm excluding the crown. It's a round, chrome-plated brass case with a snap-on steel case back bearing the Soviet quality mark and a serial number.

It's a very simple and successful model, although I'm not entirely happy about the occasional loss of the plexiglass crystal on my example.

The music I would associate with this model is Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, rearranged for piano by Paul Lay—a gravity that reveals an unexpected lightness, or perhaps the other way around. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfm0OFYJEd0&si

Agile gravity

This model stands out thanks to its curved case, free of sharp edges, and its mesmerizing dial. The case is made of chrome-plated brass with a screw-down steel case back. It measures 33mm in diameter, or 35mm including the crown. The crown is easy to grip and wind. The case measures only 34mm lug to lug, yet it appears much larger. This is likely due to the highly legible dial and hands. The halo gradient creates a luminous effect, as do the large numerals in a stylized font that suggests movement or the sounds of brass instruments. The wide, two-tone hands immediately catch the eye. The numerals are large yet discreet, even blending into the halo depending on the dial's angle. The movement is a highly reliable and emblematic 2609NA from the Petrodvorets factory. It's a very successful, bold, and captivating model.

The song I would listen to with it would be Katzapy by Tik https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_Af3gH42A

The hour of freedom

This 1970s model 611291 is classic and utterly simple. It features a 16-jewel caliber 2609NA movement. The round, chrome-plated brass case, type 613, has a snap-on steel case back and measures 34 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The dial is white with stylized black numerals and black hands. A dotted minute track is interrupted by the inscription "Made in the USSR" at 6 o'clock. The contrast is excellent, resulting in superb legibility.

What this watch evokes for me in its simplicity are the ghosts of the past, the etched memories we had forgotten in the modern world. The music that accompanies it would be the bird from the series Belle and Sebastian, whether in the original version with its rich text and childlike voice with this magnificent realization of R that we no longer hear so often (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc-yG06NPq0), or in the modern, more refined version with ZAZ giving pride of place to the piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYcXLPrDVEw).

I know the clear mists, the pink snow of early mornings

The N, for Nautilus or Nemo, is the first watch from the Ukrainian-Singaporean micro-brand Horizon. Its founders, Fred Bekher and Sugi Kusumadi, are mad, as surely are all those who create a micro-brand out of passion. But they are truly obsessed.

The first models are all dedicated to the world of Jules Verne. And it's a success; it's not just a marketing gimmick (how many brands say, "Hey, let's release a blue version and call it '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,' and a red one and call it 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'?"). The watch really makes you think Captain Nemo could wear it. The date is hidden, integrated into the 4 o'clock marker. This is one of their trademarks: visually integrating the date.
I hesitated when I saw this model offered on Kickstarter. I didn't own a dive watch. I don't actually dive, except for staying on the surface with a mask and snorkel. However, I adore Jules Verne's books; he truly is the creator of pop culture in the modern sense of the term, and many characters in his world of extraordinary voyages are every bit as compelling as James Bond, Indiana Jones, MacGyver, or Han Solo. I was hesitant, but then after seeing a prototype on a YouTube channel, I decided to support the project. It was far from simple, because between the pre-orders and delivery, there was the resurgence of Covid in China and the lockdowns we thought were over, followed by the military invasion of Ukraine, the capture of Kherson, and its bloody occupation. But the watch was finally delivered after nine months. Its thickness initially impressed me, but you get used to it, and underwater, I must say the effect is impressive; it's like a shaft of light. I don't take underwater photos, so I'd have trouble showing what I'm talking about, but it looks much better underwater with a ray of sunlight. Divers from Marseille and Iceland have photographed it extensively, but I think it's even better in person than in the photos.

The movement is a Seiko NH35, which is inexpensive and easy to find. That's not what makes the watch stand out. The case back, however, is unique. It depicts a diver discovering a Jules Verne book in a chest, all behind a sapphire crystal. The initial idea was to include a gold coin found in the ocean by Captain Nemo (to finance anti-colonial struggles). But that wasn't realistic given the limited budget (€400) and reasonable thickness (14.1mm). The result gives the impression of diving into this imaginary world.

The character of Nemo is complex. Jules Verne was inspired by a Polish nobleman whose family was ruthlessly massacred by Russian imperialist repression, and who now dedicates his solitary existence to revenge, relentlessly harassing the Russian fleet. His publisher, P.J. Hertzel, would later develop the character into a Native American devoted to exploring the oceans, financing the anti-colonial war, and waging war against the British fleet. Indeed, from today's perspective, this was a judicious choice in 1869; British decolonialism had been far more successful in the previous century and a half than Russian decolonialism, which was only just beginning. Nevertheless, Hertzel's position was not pro-Russian either. Just a few weeks after the publication of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the Prussian War against France and the occupation of Alsace-Lorraine altered the perception of the world. The following year, in 1871, he identified the occupied territories and defeated France with Ukraine under Russian oppression, coinciding with the publication of Maroussia by the Ukrainian writer Marko Vovtchok, which he himself adapted into French. Maroussia was, in fact, a huge bestseller.

Captain Nemo, which means "nobody" in Latin, is nobody, just as Ulysses at the beginning of the Odyssey is nobody in the face of the Cyclops. Nemo literally means "not a man," "ne" being the prefix of negation and "hemo" an archaic form of "homo," meaning man. Captain Nemo is no longer a man because his pain, his anger at the mass murder he miraculously escaped, the imperialist repression that killed all his people without exception, means that he no longer has any connection with other men except those who have sworn him devotion and who form his crew. He is no longer a man, for he no longer wishes to live on land but underwater with the fish and marine mammals. He has become something indefinable, somewhere between monster and god; he can act malevolently, as in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or benevolently, as in The Mysterious Island. In the 20th century, he would inspire the creation of superheroes like Captain Future or Captain Flam, or conversely, villains in the James Bond series. It's no coincidence that there are so many watch models named Nautilus.

The promise of creating a watch that evokes the world of Jules Verne without succumbing to Steampunk or mere marketing hype is fully fulfilled. The bronze case version is perhaps even more evocative, but I chose the steel version with the more classic Aegean blue dial. I added the rice grain strap, which suits it very well.

The hands are absolutely fantastic; they evoke the world of the Nautilus like no other. Of course, there is some difficulty in reading the minute hand in certain positions, which can be annoying and was corrected on subsequent watches (the Pilgrim and the Nemo), but this removes some of the charm of these Nautilus hands.

The music I would listen to with it would be Für Elise by Nautilus Pompilius https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTGGTLM05I4. The group's entire universe revolves around the ocean and its imagery. And Beethoven's Für Elise is an aspiration to the ideal, a love that is not of this world, and a universal work that absolutely everyone knows.

A romantic epic

Duplex automatic watches, i.e. with a double dial displaying two different times, are not common. You need two small mechanisms and two small oscillating weights. It's complicated, it's easier to do it with quartz or to have a large GMT mechanism.
This exercise carried out by Vesuviate is nevertheless quite successful, for a very reasonable price. Although the dials are small, the time is relatively easy to read, the hands are necessarily small but quite wide and with a luminescent treatment in the center. The whole rectangular format is quite aesthetic, I have it in gold because I don't travel and I don't want to have several time zones but the idea is to give me the mean solar time in addition to the legal time. So the gold color seems the most appropriate to me. The color in reality depends on the ambient light, the rendering is not the same depending on where you are.
The bracelet is made of hardened 316 L steel, it is very comfortable, even if I do not find it very aesthetic and I would perhaps change it for a colored leather. However, it should be noted that there is the Vesuviate logo which looks a bit like a sun engraved on the buckle. Although there are two movements at 4hz the watch is not noisy. The power reserve is correct considering the small size (36h).

A sunny automatic duo

<p><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> est une marque horlog&egrave;re ind&eacute;pendante qui s'est distingu&eacute;e par son approche novatrice, alliant le riche patrimoine culturel chinois &agrave; une horlogerie de haute qualit&eacute;. Fond&eacute;e par deux passionn&eacute;s de la culture chinoise, Thomas Gronenthal et Robin Tallendier, la marque vise &agrave; red&eacute;finir la perception des montres "Made in China" en mettant en avant l'excellence artisanale du pays.</p>
<h3><strong>Philosophie et Mission</strong></h3>
<p>L'objectif principal d'Atelier Wen est de c&eacute;l&eacute;brer l'artisanat chinois en cr&eacute;ant des montres qui refl&egrave;tent l'h&eacute;ritage culturel et l'expertise technique du pays. La marque cherche &agrave; offrir des garde-temps de luxe qui int&egrave;grent des &eacute;l&eacute;ments de design chinois authentiques, tout en maintenant des standards &eacute;lev&eacute;s de qualit&eacute; et de pr&eacute;cision.</p>
<h3><strong>Collections Principales</strong></h3>
<p><em>1. Porcelain Odyssey</em></p>
<p>La collection "Porcelain Odyssey" est la premi&egrave;re s&eacute;rie de montres lanc&eacute;e par Atelier Wen. Ces montres se distinguent par leurs <strong>cadrans en porcelaine v&eacute;ritable</strong>, fabriqu&eacute;s selon des techniques traditionnelles chinoises. Les mod&egrave;les "Ji" et "Hao" pr&eacute;sentent des motifs inspir&eacute;s de l'art chinois, offrant une esth&eacute;tique unique qui rend hommage &agrave; la riche histoire du pays.</p>
<p><em>2. Perception</em></p>
<p>La collection "Perception" incarne l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'horlogerie de luxe. Ces montres arborent des cadrans guilloch&eacute;s r&eacute;alis&eacute;s &agrave; la main par le ma&icirc;tre artisan Cheng Yucai, <strong>le seul ma&icirc;tre guillocheur de Chine</strong>. Chaque cadran n&eacute;cessite environ huit heures de travail minutieux sur des machines &agrave; guillocher sp&eacute;cialement con&ccedil;ues. Les mod&egrave;les de cette collection sont disponibles en trois couleurs de cadran : bleu clair ("Piao"), saumon ("Xia") et gris ("Ying").</p>
<h3><strong>Caract&eacute;ristiques Techniques</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont con&ccedil;ues avec une attention particuli&egrave;re aux d&eacute;tails et &agrave; la qualit&eacute;. Les bo&icirc;tiers, souvent en acier inoxydable 904L, offrent une r&eacute;sistance accrue &agrave; la corrosion et une finition polie exceptionnelle. Les dimensions typiques incluent <strong>un diam&egrave;tre de 40 mm, une &eacute;paisseur de 9,4 mm</strong> et une distance de corne &agrave; corne de 47 mm, assurant un port confortable sur une vari&eacute;t&eacute; de poignets. Les montres sont &eacute;galement &eacute;tanches jusqu'&agrave; 100 m&egrave;tres, ce qui les rend polyvalentes pour une utilisation quotidienne.</p>
<h3><strong>Mouvement</strong></h3>
<p>Les garde-temps de la collection "Perception" sont &eacute;quip&eacute;s du <strong>calibre automatique SL1588, fabriqu&eacute; par Dandong</strong>. Ce mouvement bat &agrave; une fr&eacute;quence de 28 800 alternances par heure et offre une r&eacute;serve de marche d'environ 41 heures. Bien que relativement nouveau sur le march&eacute;, ce calibre a &eacute;t&eacute; choisi pour sa fiabilit&eacute; et sa pr&eacute;cision, refl&eacute;tant l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'innovation et la qualit&eacute;.</p>
<h3><strong>Bracelet et Confort</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont dot&eacute;es de bracelets int&eacute;gr&eacute;s en acier inoxydable, con&ccedil;us pour assurer <strong>une transition fluide entre le bo&icirc;tier et le bracelet</strong>. Les maillons sont finement chanfrein&eacute;s et polis, offrant une esth&eacute;tique luxueuse et un confort optimal. La version 2.0 de la collection "Perception" a introduit des am&eacute;liorations notables, notamment des chanfreins faits main sur tous les maillons internes, renfor&ccedil;ant ainsi l'apparence haut de gamme du bracelet.</p>
<h3><strong>Collaborations et &Eacute;ditions Limit&eacute;es</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen a &eacute;galement explor&eacute; des collaborations pour offrir <strong>des &eacute;ditions limit&eacute;es uniques</strong>. Par exemple, en partenariat avec Revolution, la marque a lanc&eacute; des mod&egrave;les en titane avec des cadrans jaunes et rouges vibrants, chacun limit&eacute; &agrave; 100 pi&egrave;ces. Une autre collaboration notable inclut une &eacute;dition sp&eacute;ciale avec Wristcheck et seconde/seconde/, pr&eacute;sentant un design ludique et innovant qui refl&egrave;te l'engagement de la marque envers la cr&eacute;ativit&eacute; et l'artisanat.</p>
<h3><strong>R&eacute;ception et Impact</strong></h3>
<p>Depuis son lancement, Atelier Wen a re&ccedil;u des &eacute;loges pour sa capacit&eacute; &agrave; fusionner l'esth&eacute;tique chinoise traditionnelle avec l'horlogerie moderne. La marque a r&eacute;ussi &agrave; <strong>changer la perception du "Made in China"</strong> en d&eacute;montrant que l'artisanat chinois peut rivaliser avec les standards internationaux les plus &eacute;lev&eacute;s. Les critiques ont salu&eacute; la qualit&eacute; de fabrication, le design distinctif et l'approche innovante de la marque.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen repr&eacute;sente une <strong>fusion r&eacute;ussie de la tradition culturelle chinoise et de l'horlogerie contemporaine</strong>. En mettant l'accent sur l'artisanat, la qualit&eacute; et le design, la marque a &eacute;tabli une identit&eacute; unique dans le monde de l'horlogerie de luxe. Que ce soit &agrave; travers des cadrans en porcelaine d&eacute;licatement fabriqu&eacute;s ou des motifs guilloch&eacute;s complexes, chaque montre raconte une histoire qui honore le riche h&eacute;ritage de la Chine tout en r&eacute;pondant aux attentes des passionn&eacute;s de montres modernes.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> is an independent watch brand that has distinguished itself by its innovative approach, combining China's rich cultural heritage with high-quality watchmaking. Founded by <strong>two enthusiasts of Chinese culture</strong>, Thomas Gronenthal and Robin Tallendier, the brand aims to redefine the perception of "Made in China" watches by highlighting the country's artisanal excellence.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Philosophy and Mission</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen's main goal is to celebrate Chinese craftsmanship by creating watches that reflect the <strong>country's cultural heritage </strong>and technical expertise. The brand seeks to offer luxury timepieces that incorporate authentic Chinese design elements, while maintaining high standards of quality and precision.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Main Collections</h3>
<p dir="ltr">1. Porcelain Odyssey</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Porcelain Odyssey&rdquo; collection is the first series of watches launched by Atelier Wen. These watches are distinguished by their <strong>real porcelain dials</strong>, made using traditional Chinese techniques. The "Ji" and "Hao" models feature designs inspired by Chinese art, offering a unique aesthetic that pays homage to the country's rich history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Perception</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection embodies Atelier Wen&rsquo;s commitment to luxury watchmaking. These watches feature guilloche dials handcrafted by master craftsman Cheng Yucai, <strong>the only master guilloche maker in China</strong>. Each dial requires approximately eight hours of painstaking work on specially designed guilloche machines. The models in this collection are available in three dial colors: light blue (&ldquo;Piao&rdquo;), salmon (&ldquo;Xia&rdquo;) and gray (&ldquo;Ying&rdquo;).</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Technical Characteristics</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches are designed with attention to detail and quality. Housings, often made from 904L stainless steel, offer increased corrosion resistance and an exceptional polished finish. Typical dimensions include a diameter of <strong>40mm, a thickness of 9.4mm and a lug-to-lug distance</strong> of 47mm, ensuring comfortable wear on a variety of wrists. The watches are also water resistant up to 100 meters, making them versatile for everyday use.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Movement</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The timepieces from the &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection are equipped with the automatic <strong>caliber SL1588, manufactured by Dandong</strong>. This movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. Although relatively new to the market, this caliber was chosen for its reliability and precision, reflecting Atelier Wen's commitment to innovation and quality.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Bracelet and Confort</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches feature integrated stainless steel bracelets, designed to provide <strong>a seamless transition between case and bracelet</strong>. The links are finely chamfered and polished, providing a luxurious aesthetic and optimal comfort. Version 2.0 of the "Perception" collection introduced notable improvements, including hand-crafted chamfers on all internal links, reinforcing the premium appearance of the bracelet.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Limited Editions</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen has also explored collaborations to offer <strong>unique limited editions</strong>. For example, in partnership with Revolution, the brand launched titanium models with vibrant yellow and red dials, each limited to 100 pieces. Another notable collaboration includes a special edition with Wristcheck and seconds /seconde/, featuring a playful and innovative design that reflects the brand's commitment to creativity and craftsmanship.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Reception and Impact</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Since its launch, Atelier Wen has received praise for its ability to fuse traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern watchmaking. The brand has succeeded in <strong>changing the perception of "Made in China"</strong> by demonstrating that Chinese craftsmanship can compete with the highest international standards. Reviewers praised the brand's build quality, distinctive design, and innovative approach.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen represents a successful fusion of Chinese cultural tradition and contemporary watchmaking. With a focus on craftsmanship, quality and design, the brand has established <strong>a unique identity </strong>in the world of luxury watchmaking. Whether through delicately crafted porcelain dials or intricate guilloche patterns, each watch tells a story that honors China's rich heritage while meeting the expectations of modern watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take inspiration from <strong>Dialicious customer reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

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