The blue-and-white porcelain is precious pottery in Chinese ceramic art. Having cobalt oxide as the raw material, the porcelain is decorated with patterns and coated with a layer of transparent glaze. It is then fired in a kiln at a high temperature of 1300°C. The patterns painted with the cobalt blue pigment are protected by the glaze and never fade. Despite the monochrome, a great emphasis is placed on the use of tonality and shading achieved by varying the pigment concentration. The Hong Kong tourbillon watch brand, Memorigin, has been incorporating Chinese culture in its brand essence. It invited Ms. Guo Zongyan, who had studied ceramic art at Jingdezhen Ceramic University and the Chinese National Academy of Arts, to collaborate on designing the Blue-and-White tourbillon watch. With the use of the serene colour combination on the watch design, traditional Chinese art is turned into a fashionable accessory.
Blue-and-white porcelain undergoes a series of 72 processes. Ms. Guo said that she often worked from 8am to 10pm to create artworks. Being a perfectionist, she required herself to be very attentive to details in each step and to stay focused at work. Her devotion and a strong pursuit of aesthetics resemble the principles of Memorigin. Together they partnered up to merge the traditional Chinese ceramic art with Western watch craftsmanship.
The Blue-and-White tourbillon watch has an enamel dial, on which the pattern is the porcelain artwork of Ms. Guo, the Blue-and-White Auspicious Dragon Dish. The dragon at the center is encircled by tidal waves. It symbolizes potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water and floods, so it often appears on the ancient robes of the emperors. The simple combination of the blue and white color has formed a pattern with delicacy, complexity, and variations. The brand creates a three-dimensional effect with the auspicious cloud patterns and the waves on the dial, highlighting the exquisite craftsmanship. The tourbillon movement at 6 o'clock position echoes the waves, bringing dynamism. The white calf leather strap is decorated with the refined pattern of auspicious clouds, attracting a better fortune.
The watch is equipped with a manual-winding movement, which has 40 hours of power reserve and a vibration frequency of 28,800 oscillations per hour, providing the best stability and accuracy in telling time. Ms. Guo hopes to show the diversity and liveliness of the traditional craftsmanship through the Blue-and-White tourbillon watch. Eventually, the public's interest in Chinese ceramic art can be aroused.
About Ms. Guo Zhongyan
Guo Zhongyan, Bachelor’s degree at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Master’s degree at the Chinese National Academy of Arts. Her artworks were displayed at Taoshan Xinyu – The Invitational Exhibition of Chinese Contemporary Ceramic Artists, Contemporary International Ceramic Art Exhibition, the first China Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition, the first China Gaoling Cup International Ceramic Art Exhibition Competition, etc. They are also exhibited at the China Ceramics Museum.
About The Blue-and-White
Retail price: HKD $36,800
Model No.
MO1121
Case
Stainless steel case
Watch diameter: approx.43mm
Watch thickness: approx.13.5mm
Both sides sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 5ATM
Movement
Flying tourbillon
181 pieces of subassembly module and 19 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 oscillations/ hour
Features
40 hours power reserve
The tourbillon located at 6 o’clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle
Manual winding mechanism
Dial
Enamel dial
4 pieces of sapphire as indexes
Blue luminous dauphine hands
Strap
Calf leather strap / Alligator strap