Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 17
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.
ROARING CALF: Where Racing Meets Mechanical Watchmaking
Founded in 2023, ROARING CALF was born from a fascination with precision mechanics and a desire to do things differently. Built around quality, innovation, and fearlessness, the brand moves beyond conventional watch design, drawing on the world of motorsport to create watches with a strong sense of identity.
The influence of racing is easy to spot in its work. Angular lines, lightweight materials, and exposed mechanical structures bring to mind the engineering of high-performance cars. But ROARING CALF goes beyond simply borrowing an automotive aesthetic. It experiments with case architecture, unconventional time displays, and the visual possibilities of a mechanical movement, giving each watch a character of its own.
Two models on display at the exhibition offer a glimpse into this approach. Fantastic Fex puts a tourbillon in the spotlight with an openworked, racing-inspired design. Bison takes a different route, reimagining the way minutes are displayed through a track-like indication. Both reflect the brand's interest in making mechanical engineering part of the experience of wearing a watch.
Fantastic Fex — Built for the Fast Lane
Inspired by Formula racing, Fantastic Fex brings the angular geometry and mechanical intensity of motorsport to the wrist. Its faceted titanium case, exposed movement, and distinctive sapphire crystal give it an unmistakably technical appearance. Rather than adding racing details to a conventional watch, ROARING CALF lets the movement and the structure surrounding it shape the design from the outset.
Measuring 44 × 54 mm, the polygonal case is made from titanium, chosen for its combination of strength and low weight. Sharp edges and sculpted surfaces give the watch a distinctly engineered look, while the frameless appearance of the angular sapphire crystal leaves the movement largely unobstructed.
At its heart is the Cal. 2943T manual-winding titanium tourbillon movement. Its architecture brings the mechanics into full view, with carbon-fiber elements adding another visual link to high-performance automotive engineering. The exposed gears and moving components are not merely technical details tucked beneath the crystal; they are central to the watch's identity, much like the workings of a racing engine laid bare.
Three-dimensional luminous hour markers provide legibility against the openworked structure. A fluororubber strap with hook-and-loop fastening completes the design, allowing for quick adjustments while reinforcing its distinctly sporty character.
Limited to 99 pieces in each color, Fantastic Fex is aimed at collectors who appreciate mechanical watchmaking without the restraint of traditional design. The titanium tourbillon, unconventional case construction, and openworked display give it a presence that feels more like a piece of precision machinery than a conventional dress watch.
Key Specifications
- Model: PX-02
- Case Material: Titanium
- Case Dimensions: 44 × 54 × 12.8 mm
- Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Movement: Cal. 2943T manual-winding titanium tourbillon
- Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon
- Power Reserve: 46 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 bar
- Strap: Fluororubber with hook-and-loop fastening
- Edition: Limited to 99 pieces per color
Bison — A Different Way to Read Time
If Fantastic Fex puts the mechanics front and center, Bison takes a more experimental approach to the display itself. Inspired by the Lamborghini Huracán STO, its design draws on the sharp bodywork, dramatic proportions, and purposeful detailing of a high-performance supercar. Forged carbon fiber and titanium give the oversized case a layered, architectural appearance that feels closer to automotive engineering than traditional watchmaking.
Forged carbon fiber plays a particularly important role. Its distinctive surface patterns emerge during the manufacturing process, making each case visually different from the next. Rather than hiding this natural variation, ROARING CALF embraces it, giving every Bison its own material character.
At 47 × 57 × 14 mm, the case makes no attempt to blend into the background. Its sharply defined facets echo the sculpted surfaces of performance cars, while the combination of carbon fiber and titanium brings together contrasting textures and material properties.
The real point of difference, however, is the way Bison displays the time. Instead of using a conventional central minute hand sweeping around the dial, it follows a track-like route. As the hand moves along this path, reading the minutes becomes a visual experience reminiscent of a car navigating a circuit. The hours appear separately in an offset numerical display at five o'clock, adding another distinctive element to the layout.
At six o'clock, an openworked aperture reveals the gears turning beneath the display. The ROARING CALF bull emblem sits within this mechanical opening, tying the exposed movement to the brand's identity. The arrangement gives the dial a sense of depth and motion, with the passing minutes playing out across the face of the watch.
Bison is powered by a customized and adjusted Miyota 9015 automatic movement, with a 48-hour power reserve. Its fluororubber strap features a hook-and-loop fastening system for easy adjustment and practical everyday wear. Water resistance is rated at 3 bar.
With its forged-carbon construction, circuit-inspired minute display, and visible mechanical details, Bison offers a fresh perspective on how a watch can communicate time. It is not simply the shape of a racing car translated into a wristwatch; the idea of movement itself becomes part of the display.
Key Specifications
- Model: PX-05
- Case Material: Forged carbon fiber and titanium
- Case Dimensions: 47 × 57 × 14 mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Movement: Customized Miyota 9015 automatic movement
- Functions: Hours and minutes with unconventional time display
- Power Reserve: 48 hours
- Water Resistance: 3 bar
- Strap: Fluororubber with hook-and-loop fastening
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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
