Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 22
In October 2026, Beijing becomes a meeting point for Chinese imperial aesthetics, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design. Held at the National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing), the “Forbidden City Divine Craft” Chinese Imperial Aesthetics & Contemporary Creation Exhibition and the “Horology Planet” International Creative Exhibition bring together a range of creative works that explore the connections between Eastern cultural heritage and modern craftsmanship.
The exhibition is about more than the objects on display. It also asks how traditional art forms can continue to evolve, finding new relevance through modern materials, innovative design, and precision engineering. From decorative techniques rooted in imperial workshops to the intricacies of independent watchmaking, the works on show offer different perspectives on how the past can inform the present.
As part of this exhibition series, Horology Planet takes a closer look at the participating watch brands and the ideas behind their creations.
HAOFA Tourbillon: Mechanical Innovation Rooted in Chinese Aesthetics
Founded in Guangzhou in 1997, HAOFA Tourbillon has built its identity around mechanical watchmaking, with a particular focus on tourbillons and contemporary timepiece design. Over more than two decades, the brand has developed from a watchmaking business into an integrated operation encompassing design, assembly, marketing, and technical development, supported by domestic and international design teams and a dedicated service network.
HAOFA combines traditional watchmaking techniques with modern technology and international design influences. Its mechanical portfolio includes manual and automatic tourbillons, double-tourbillon configurations, carousels, chronograph movements, and skeletonized colored movements. Through continued experimentation with complex mechanisms and distinctive visual treatments, the brand seeks to balance technical performance with artistic expression.
Its development has also been marked by design and technical achievements, including more than 100 patents and related intellectual property recognitions, as well as a Gold Medal at the China Horologe Design Competition. The establishment of boutiques in overseas markets reflects HAOFA's ambition to introduce its approach to Chinese watchmaking to a broader international audience.
The brand's philosophy, expressed in the words “HAOFA Tourbillon – Witnessing Every Great Moment,” places time at the center of both mechanical precision and human experience. Its designs incorporate a range of materials, including gold, sapphire crystal, carbon fiber, titanium alloy, advanced ceramics, and bronze, reflecting an interest in the relationship between material character, engineering, and aesthetics.
For HAOFA, a watch can be both a precision instrument and a vehicle for cultural expression. This approach is especially evident in its Millennium Zodiac Animal Heads Central Tourbillon Watch, where the movement and dial become part of a larger story about China's artistic heritage and historical memory.
Millennium Zodiac Animal Heads Central Tourbillon Watch — A Mechanical Tribute to History
The twelve bronze zodiac animal heads were originally part of the water-powered clock fountain at Haiyantang, within the Old Summer Palace in Beijing. Constructed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, the fountain incorporated the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, each representing one of the traditional two-hour periods of the day. Water was released through the corresponding animal head to indicate the time, creating an elaborate fusion of sculpture, engineering, and timekeeping.
The animal heads were notable for their detailed casting and ingenious design. Beyond their function within the fountain, they became enduring symbols of Chinese artistic achievement and the country's historical heritage. During the upheavals of the nineteenth century, however, the Old Summer Palace was devastated and many of its treasures were lost or displaced. The subsequent return of several zodiac animal heads to China has become closely associated with the preservation of cultural heritage and the long process of historical recovery.
HAOFA draws on this story in its Millennium Zodiac Animal Heads Central Tourbillon Watch, a limited edition of 500 pieces. The design transforms the twelve zodiac creatures into sculptural hour markers, arranging them around a central tourbillon. Instead of using conventional numerals, the watch allows the animal figures themselves to define the passage of time.
Each animal head is cast in copper, with careful detailing intended to preserve the character of the original sculptures. Gold-plated finishes distinguish the animal heads representing those that have returned to China, while dark, aged tones are used for those that remain overseas. This contrast between light and shadow gives the dial its emotional character. The arrangement is not simply decorative: it creates a visual meditation on loss, remembrance, and the enduring connection between cultural objects and collective identity.
At the center of the dial, the tourbillon provides a dynamic mechanical focal point. Its movement contrasts with the stillness of the surrounding sculptures, bringing the historical narrative into dialogue with the living mechanics of the watch. The dial's textures and layout also incorporate references to the ancient Chinese south-pointing chariot and traditional decorative patterns. An original circular hand design completes the composition, preserving the visual prominence of the central tourbillon while giving the watch a distinctly Chinese aesthetic.
The presentation extends beyond the timepiece itself. The watch comes with a limited-edition purple sandalwood box inspired by traditional Chinese confectionery packaging and the ornamental door knockers found on historic architecture. The design evokes the symbolic act of opening a door to the past. A carved purple sandalwood seal featuring a zodiac animal head accompanies the watch, adding another layer of traditional artistry to the presentation.
Through the Millennium Zodiac Animal Heads Central Tourbillon Watch, HAOFA uses mechanical watchmaking to revisit an important chapter of Chinese cultural history. The twelve figures become more than markers of time: they serve as reminders of a shared heritage, the fragility of historical treasures, and the importance of preserving cultural memory for future generations.
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Exhibition Guide
- Exhibition Name: “Forbidden City Divine Craft” Chinese Imperial Aesthetics & Contemporary Creation Exhibition, and the “Horology Planet” International Creative Exhibition
- Opening Date: October 23, 2026
- Exhibition Dates: October 23, 2026 – December 16, 2026
- Venue: 3rd Floor Art Space, Building D7, National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing), No. 3 Jinhang East Road, Shunyi District, Beijing
- Organizer: National Foreign Cultural Trade Base (Beijing)
- Academic Support: Research Group on Qing Dynasty Court Craftsmanship Inheritance Examples, The Palace Museum; Watchina
- Executive Curator: Horology Planet
