Hands-On: The Atelier Wen Perception Titanium Millésime Mù
Atelier Wen has enjoyed a meteoric increase in popularity over the past two years. The independent brand has shed a positive light on Chinese watchmaking while producing attractive watches with finishes and materials normally found on more expensive pieces. To celebrate the fans who have brought so much success to the company, a limited-edition Perception Titanium Millésime Mù is available for order.
Since meeting Atelier Wen co-founder Robin Tallendier in London and trying on a Perception, I’ve avidly followed the brand’s every move. What I’ve witnessed is a commitment to continuous improvement. Small changes to the case shape, bracelet design, and other tweaks have improved the fit and finish of the popular integrated-bracelet watch. Just last month, we were able to catch up with Robin again during Geneva Watch Days 2024. He brought along two upcoming releases. One was made of tantalum and will be with us soon. The other is the focus of today’s hands-on review, Perception Titanium Millésime Mù.
The Atelier Wen Perception Titanium Millésime Mù
The new Perception Titanium Millésime Mù is the brand’s first non-collaborative limited edition. It is also the first of what will be an annual tradition, the Millésime project. This project celebrates the brand’s fans with a limited release. For 2024, the first edition, Mù (meaning “amity”), capitalizes on several key points.
First, the Mù is the first titanium Perception to include the improvements shown in Perception 2.0. These include a more tapered bracelet with finishing between links and a smaller clasp with an easy-to-use micro-adjustment system. Furthermore, the watch capitalizes on a blazing-hot trend by using a purple dial.
Purple is the new black
We’ve mentioned in articles and podcasts how purple has taken the mantle from green as the new “it” color in 2024. The Perception Titanium Millésime Mù has a slightly lighter shade than other brands and combines it with hand-crafted fish-scale guilloché. Atelier Wen spent time prototyping the color before deciding on the final PVD hue. The purple was first seen on the tantalum prototypes at this year’s Watches and Wonders event, and the reaction was so positive that the team opted to produce it. Depending on the lighting, the color changes from darker purple to a lighter, silvery hue.
Great dimensions and at home on a bracelet or strap
The Perception Titanium Millésime Mù uses Grade 5 material and has a 40mm diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug. The 9.4mm thickness includes the double-domed sapphire crystal with 10(!!) layers of antireflective coating. A 100m water resistance rating supports daily use. The watch comes standard on the brand’s comfortable integrated bracelet with a push-button folding clasp. An available rubber strap comes with a folding clasp. If you ask me, I’d choose both to achieve maximum versatility.
The Dandong SL1588A under the hood
Like the previous Perception models, the Mù uses the Dandong SL1588A automatic movement. It’s partially visible through the display case back and includes a purple rhodium-plated rotor. Once again, the engraved lion motif is visible on the case back.
Perfect in hand and on the wrist
I’ve always enjoyed the steel Perception on the wrist due to its moderate case size and thickness. This titanium version is even better due to the lightness and slightly darker case tone. I tried it repeatedly in Geneva and felt like I was wearing or holding a watch from a long-established brand. It’s that good. The dial also dances in the light when the wrist moves, making it one of the more visually captivating watches I’ve tried.
Buying the Perception Titanium Millésime Mù
The good news is that the new Perception Titanium Millésime Mù will be available to order for US$3,588 from today through October 21st on Atelier Wen’s website. The brand will also take orders at several live events that extend slightly beyond the online ordering window. After all these orders are taken, no further watches will be produced, but all orders will be fulfilled. The watches will be delivered in May 2025.
But there’s more! The first 88 online orders will receive a special leather strap specifically made for this watch. The straps will not be available otherwise. Also, in true Charlie and the Chocolate Factory style, three random buyers will open their box to find a milled tantalum ticket and the watch in tantalum! Overall, this is a great release, and I like the lengthy ordering window for potential buyers. It gives you enough time to consider whether this eye-catching watch is right for your wrist.
As always, feel free to share your opinions on this watch in the comments below.
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