Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 04
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.
FAYY: Giving Chinese Art a Place in Watchmaking
FAYY believes that Chinese art and cultural heritage deserve a place at the heart of horology. For its founder, who spent much of life outside China, the giant panda has always been one of the most recognizable symbols of home. Yet behind the familiar image lies a living animal whose character and emotions are not always fully appreciated.
FAYY created Manman, a wild giant panda in an imagined world, to tell a more personal story. Through her experiences of growing up, exploring, and simply being herself, the brand invites people to look beyond the panda as a national symbol and connect with the creature behind it. FAYY's debut timepiece, Manman Panda, brings this idea to life through an unusual combination of traditional Chinese artistry and contemporary watchmaking.
Manman Panda: Where Art Meets Time
The Manman Panda, reference FA001, marks FAYY's first timepiece and a distinctive meeting of Guangdong inner painting—an art form recognized as part of China's national intangible cultural heritage—and modern horology. The portrait of Manman was created by panda artist Yuan Longjun, depicting the wild giant panda quietly eating bamboo. The scene captures a sense of calm and ease that resonates with traditional Chinese aesthetic ideals.
At the heart of the watch is an intricate work of reverse painting on the underside of the sapphire crystal. Rather than serving solely as a protective component, the crystal becomes the canvas itself. The process begins with precision sandblasting on its inner surface, followed by the delicate work of Master Lai Sijia, a third-generation inheritor of Guangdong inner painting. Working from the reverse side of the crystal demands exceptional control: each brushstroke must be carefully placed, as mistakes cannot simply be corrected. A single piece requires at least 3,000 brushstrokes and approximately six to eight days of work, making every dial a unique creation.
Inner painting developed more than 200 years ago and became particularly popular among the Qing dynasty court and aristocracy, where it was often used to decorate snuff bottles. FAYY brings this historical art form into a contemporary context, preserving its demanding techniques while giving it a new medium and purpose.
The watch's design is equally considered. Its square, lugless Grade 5 titanium case measures 39 × 39 mm and is just 12 mm thick. A concealed crown preserves the clean outline, while the versatile design allows the watch to be worn on the wrist or as a pendant. To keep the artwork at the center of attention, hours, minutes, and seconds are indicated by three independent rotating discs visible through separate display windows.
Inside, an automatic movement runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and provides a 40-hour power reserve. The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters (5 ATM). Completing the design is a JeaYou leather strap carved with a bamboo-joint texture, paired with a custom titanium folding clasp shaped like a panda paw. Produced as a limited series of 50 pieces, Manman Panda brings together artistic individuality, traditional craftsmanship, and modern mechanical watchmaking in a wearable form.
Key Specifications
- Edition: Limited to 50 pieces
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Case Design: Lugless construction with concealed crown
- Case Dimensions: 39 × 39 mm
- Case Thickness: 12 mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal, hand-painted on the underside using traditional Chinese
- inner-painting techniques
- Movement: Automatic mechanical movement
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds displayed on three independent rotating discs
- Water Resistance: 50 metres (5 ATM)
- Strap: JeaYou carved leather strap with bamboo-joint texture
- Clasp: Custom titanium folding clasp with panda-paw motif
- Wearing Options: Wristwatch or pendant
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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
