Introducing: Qian GuoBiao’s Facing The Sky 2.0 — Marking A Skyward Vision Reborn
Independent watchmaking has a knack for unearthing hidden gems in the most unexpected places. In this case, that place is Ninghai, China, home to master watchmaker Qian GuoBiao. His latest creation, Facing the Sky 2.0, marks the return of a concept he first unveiled back in 2018. The original Facing the Sky, a bold 43mm piece nicknamed the “Flying Balance Wheel,” encapsulated Qian’s fascination with perspective. It drew inspiration from a bird’s-eye view of his city’s skyline, translating urban order and chaos into mechanical form. Now, the 2.0 revisits that vision in a refined 39mm execution, bringing the once one-of-a-kind idea to a select group of collectors.
With the 2.0, Qian GuoBiao has distilled this philosophy into a more wearable format. The case, now 39mm in 316L stainless steel and about 12.5mm thick, including the crystal, is robust yet refined, downsized from the hulking prototype for a broader appeal without losing character. Its proportions hit a sweet spot, making it substantial enough to showcase Qian’s artistry yet comfortable on the wrist. While the original was an experimental showpiece never intended for sale, Facing the Sky 2.0 is built for those lucky collectors who will wear this story on their wrists. In fact, Qian is offering the watch through a subscription model limited to a maximum of 12 pieces per year. It’s an old-school approach that underscores the personal touch as future owners engage directly with the watchmaker as their pieces come to life.
A dial with a view
True to its name, Qian’s Facing the Sky 2.0 invites the wearer to gaze into an unconventional dial that beautifully merges minimalism with mechanical depth. The dial is a clean silver tone, understated in finish, so the complex visual elements can take center stage. On the right, a discreet off-center sub-dial displays the hours and minutes. Its layout is simple, almost classical, with blued hands sweeping over black markers in a deliberate contrast to the spectacle unfolding beside it. The balance wheel takes the spotlight on the left side of the dial.
“I was struck by how a bustling city, seen from above, felt just like a watch movement — chaotic at first glance but orderly when you understand it.”
Peering into the dial, you’ll notice layers and depth that evoke the three-dimensional skyline that inspired it. Bridges and components are arranged on different planes, creating a tiny metropolis of gears. Despite the asymmetrical dial layout, everything still manages to feel quite harmonious. The design balances negative space and detail well, allowing the beautiful balance wheel to command attention without overwhelming anything. A subtle chapter ring frames the composition, and Qian’s name appears between 11 and 12 o’clock, modestly reminding us whose imagination orchestrated this scene. A gently domed sapphire crystal protects the dial, giving a clear view of this miniature cityscape.
Mechanics and artistry underneath
Flip the watch over, and the technical virtuosity of Qian GuoBiao truly shines. Facing the Sky 2.0 is powered by Qian’s in-house caliber AB-02-2.0, a hand-wound movement that he developed and refined over several years. Manually wound and beating at a traditional 18,000 vibrations per hour, it holds a 40-hour power reserve, enough for a leisurely wind each morning to keep it running day and night. The specs, however, tell only a fraction of the story. It’s the architecture and finishing of the movement that leave a lasting impression. All of the movement’s 16 jewels are set into carefully polished sinks, and the edges of the bridges gleam with mirror-polished anglage done entirely by hand. The plates sport a finely brushed texture, while broad surfaces are richly frosted for a mix of finishes that catch light like the facets of a building at sunset.
Qian’s engineering ingenuity is evident in the movement’s unique layout. The caliber uses an open-worked regulator on the front to achieve the dial-side display of the balance wheel. The arrowhead-shaped balance bridge is a signature of Qian’s designs. More than just a stylistic flourish, it secures the balance wheel from one side, creating the illusion that the wheel is floating.
“The arrow shape has a special meaning for me,” Qian notes. “It points upward toward the sky — a reminder of the inspiration behind this watch.”
On the movement side, the surprises continue: the escapement is anchored by a blade-like steel bridge, and even the click (the tiny spring that prevents the mainspring from unwinding) is whimsically fashioned in the silhouette of a bird. These touches — an arrow aimed skyward at a bird hidden in the machinery — reflect how Qian imbues mechanical parts with personality and symbolism. They also showcase an attention to detail on par with top Haute Horlogerie maisons, achieved in a far more personal setting.
One watchmaker’s journey
Perhaps most remarkable is that Facing the Sky 2.0 is essentially the product of one man’s vision and hands. In an era when even independent brands often rely on small teams, Qian GuoBiao still does things the old-fashioned way. In his Ninghai workshop, he designs, fabricates, and finishes the majority of components himself. He only collaborates with a few local specialists for things like straps or, occasionally, dials. Each watch is a personal journey from start to finish. “I craft each watch as if it were for myself,” Qian says. “Every component gets my full attention, and I won’t let a piece leave my bench until I’m satisfied it’s perfect.” It’s an obsessive level of quality control that yields only a handful of watches per year, a pace more in line with an artist than a manufacturer.
This intensely personal process imbues every Facing the Sky 2.0 with what you might call a soul. Beyond the technical specs and design, the watch has a palpable sense of Qian’s character. It comes through in the nuanced finish of a tiny screw head, in the graceful arc of the arrow bridge, and in the overall harmony of the dial. There’s also a cultural subtlety at play. Qian doesn’t overtly decorate his watches with Chinese motifs; instead, the cultural nuance comes through in philosophy.
The concept reflects an almost poetic Chinese outlook without needing engraved dragons or painted lotuses. Qian’s work is an East-meets-West amalgam — Swiss-inspired mechanics executed by a Chinese craftsman guided by a uniquely personal narrative. It proves that world-class watchmaking is not confined to Switzerland or Germany. Indeed, passion and skill can flourish wherever there’s dedication.
Independent spirit in the broader landscape
In the larger independent watchmaking landscape, Qian GuoBiao’s Facing the Sky 2.0 makes a statement beyond its 39mm frame. The watch’s very existence underscores the globalization of Haute Horlogerie. This is a Chinese independent offering a piece that confidently stands alongside creations from the established European masters. It arrives at a time when collectors are increasingly adventurous, looking past famous brand names in search of authenticity and originality. Facing the Sky 2.0 delivers both in spades.
With its limited run of 12 pieces, this watch is as exclusive as many Swiss indie offerings. It costs US$30,000, and the price reflects the countless hours of handcrafting involved. Seasoned collectors will note that such micro-production artisanal watches often carry price tags in this range or higher, even more so when the finishing and innovation are at the level Qian achieves. In that context, his work is not just a novelty from China. Instead, it’s a competitive entry in the indie market, offering a fresh aesthetic that enriches the diversity of watchmaking.
Final thoughts on Facing the Sky 2.0
Polished, confident, and deeply personal, Qian GuoBiao’s Facing the Sky 2.0 symbolizes passion. From its conception, the watch represents the evolution of an idea and the maturation of a talented watchmaker. It’s hard not to be impressed by what this timepiece signifies. It shows how tradition and innovation can dance together when guided by a singular vision. It proves that the language of fine watchmaking is universal, spoken not in words but in metal and gears. Contacting Qian GuoBiao is not the easiest because he doesn’t seem to have a website. Still, I have found speaking to him via his Instagram profile to be the most effective method.
