Atelier Wen Releases The Second “Inside The Atelier” Video
Atelier Wen has taken up the mantle of providing insightful looks at Chinese watchmaking. With the Inside The Atelier video series, we are treated to an inside view of different suppliers of the brand’s end product. Today’s video focuses on movement-making with a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the Liaoning Peacock Watch Company in Dandong.
Back in February, we covered the initial Inside The Atelier video from Atelier Wen. For many viewers, I believe it provided a surprising view of the serene workshop where Master Cheng, the guilloché artist who provides all of the brand’s dials, creates magic. The newest installment examines a different type of operation. Importantly, the large Liaoning Peacock Watch Company produces volume, but the surroundings are still peaceful.
A video tour of the Peacock Watch Company
Movement makers are seemingly shy about providing tours. Companies seek to keep a level of process knowledge and proprietary work secret. Therefore, a trip to the Liaoning Peacock Watch Company, the maker of the Dandong Sl1588 automatic used in the Perception line of watches, was a rare chance to see the inside of a manufacturer.
What you’ll see
In this video, Atelier Wen founders Robin Tallendier and Wilfried Buiron travel to Dandong, which is on the coast of Northeast China. They visit the Liaoning Peacock Watch Company, tour various production departments, sit down with leadership, and perform some initial watch assembly steps. Frankly, the visit brought back memories of visiting various machining and toolmaking companies in China. I experienced similar discussions where the operations leaders were proud of the high-tech machinery and investments made to produce precision components. Furthermore, the cleanliness, excellent lighting, and working conditions are consistent with high-end manufacturing in China.
What’s next?
I can only assume that case-making and bracelet production are coming soon to the Inside The Atelier video series. All of these videos are entertaining to watch. Moreover, they provide information on how most watches are produced. The fact that they are filmed in China is merely a coincidence. However, the videos do help break down misconceptions about Chinese watchmaking.
For more information on Atelier Wen, visit the brand’s official website.
