Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 11
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.
L.Eruditio & Veritas: Enlightenment, Scholarship, and Truth
Founded in 2018, L.Eruditio & Veritas is based in Guangzhou, China. Its name brings together three philosophical pillars: Lux (Enlightenment), Eruditio (Scholarship), and Veritas (Truth). Together, they form the intellectual foundation of a brand that views watchmaking not simply as the production of precise instruments, but as an ongoing pursuit of knowledge, authenticity, and meaning.
Lux represents light and hope — the spark of inspiration that emerges from uncertainty and guides the creative process forward. Eruditio speaks to cultivation, inquiry, and the patient accumulation of knowledge. It reflects the discipline required to refine an idea through research, experimentation, and meticulous execution. Veritas, the principle at the heart of the brand, stands for objectivity and authenticity: the determination to look beyond appearances and pursue what is essential.
The brand's Chinese name, Shizhen (时真), meaning “The Verity of Time,” expresses this philosophy in a distinctly humanist way. Wisdom broadens one's perspective, scholarship deepens one's understanding, and truth becomes the destination of a lifelong pursuit.
Yuheng 1335 — The Art of Understated Elegance
The Yuheng 1335 represents both a renewal of L.Eruditio & Veritas and a return to its foundations. It is designed to be versatile enough for everyday life while retaining an individual artistic character. Its appeal lies in a deliberate balance: familiar proportions, practical functionality, and details that reward closer inspection.
At 37 mm in diameter, the case embodies the brand's concept of junya (隽雅) — an understated, cultivated elegance. Neither imposing nor overly delicate, its proportions are intended to feel as natural as a well-fitted shirt. In place of the conventional luxury watch's emphasis on conspicuous presence, the Yuheng 1335 proposes a more relaxed and personal expression of refinement.
The case is crafted from the brand's proprietary “Heng” steel, a corrosion-resistant steel material developed for its designs. Its surfaces combine different satin-finishing techniques, complemented by polished bevels and a newly developed bezel design. The result is a case that reveals its character through the interplay of textures and reflections rather than excessive ornamentation.
The dial is equally considered. A metallic, finely textured blue dial provides the backdrop for an unusual double-row arrangement of Arabic numerals running from 1 to 24. Although this layout is often associated with military watches today, its history reaches further back to classic pocket-watch designs. L.Eruditio & Veritas reinterprets the format with its own typography, giving a historical display convention a more contemporary visual identity.
Completing the dial are the brand's signature “Sparkle” hands. Crafted from carbon steel and finished with polishing and beveled edges, they reflect the atelier's preference for original design over straightforward imitation. Even the curves, crown, typography, and individual hand profiles have been developed as part of a cohesive design language, combining a contemporary sensibility with an academic, classically informed character.
Powering the Yuheng 1335 is the Sellita SW261-1 M hand-wound mechanical movement. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, it offers a 42-hour power reserve and a stop-seconds mechanism for precise time setting. The sapphire crystal rises above the slim case, bringing the total height to approximately 8.4 mm, while 30-meter water resistance makes the watch suitable for everyday wear.
Limited to 500 pieces, the Yuheng 1335 reflects the brand's belief that elegance need not be extravagant. Its individuality comes from proportion, typography, finishing, and the thoughtful reinterpretation of historical design conventions — details that reveal themselves gradually rather than demanding immediate attention.
Key Specifications
- Case Material: Proprietary “Heng” corrosion-resistant steel
- Case Diameter: 37 mm, excluding lugs
- Case Thickness: 7.1 mm, excluding crystal
- Total Height: Approximately 8.4 mm, including crystal
- Lug-to-Lug: 44.7 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
- Dial: Textured metallic blue with double-row 1–24 Arabic numerals
- Hands: White-gold-colored “Sparkle” hands in carbon steel, polished and beveled
- Movement: Sellita SW261-1 M, hand-wound mechanical
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, stop-seconds mechanism
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Water Resistance: 30 meters
- Production: Limited to 500 pieces
Qingluan Carriage Clock Q8012 — A Classic Form, Reimagined
The Qingluan collection takes a different approach to the relationship between horology and everyday objects. With the Carriage Clock Q8012, L.Eruditio & Veritas draws inspiration from the architectural structure of a traditional carriage clock, translating its distinctive frame into a compact rectangular wristwatch with an unexpected additional function: the case can be converted into a small clock pendant.
The defining feature is its bridge-style case frame. Crafted from high-molybdenum specialty stainless steel, the case combines a structured silhouette with multi-stage satin finishing. Measuring approximately 36 mm in length and 23 mm in width, with a maximum thickness of 7.01 mm, it maintains a compact profile while giving the watch a recognizable architectural presence.
Two dial variations are available: Ivory and Sparrow Blue. Although different in color, both share the same carefully organized display and textured surface. The paper-fiber-inspired dial texture introduces a subtle tactile quality, while the classic 3–6–9–12 arrangement keeps the overall composition legible and balanced.
At six o'clock, a small seconds subdial adds a traditional watchmaking detail. The classic spade-shaped hands are polished and finished with a platinum coating to enhance their resistance to oxidation. These familiar elements soften the geometry of the case, creating a dialogue between architectural structure and traditional dial design.
Inside, the Q8012 houses the ETA 980.163 quartz movement, configured with a two-hand display and small seconds. Its solid caseback is engraved with the L. Eruditio & Veritas logo and other Western lettering, providing a discreet finishing detail consistent with the brand's preference for considered design.
The two versions are distinguished further by their straps. The Ivory edition is paired with white palm-textured cowhide leather, while the Sparrow Blue edition comes with a matte blue palm-textured leather strap. Each combination gives the same underlying design a different character, from light and restrained to more distinctive and contemporary.
With 30-meter water resistance and a limited production run of 450 pieces, the Carriage Clock Q8012 brings together the familiar utility of a quartz watch and the charm of a small architectural object. Its convertible form encourages a broader understanding of what a timepiece can be: not simply something worn on the wrist, but an object whose design can adapt to different settings and ways of living.
Key Specifications
- Case Material: High-molybdenum specialty stainless steel
- Case Design: Bridge-style frame inspired by traditional carriage clocks; convertible into a small clock pendant
- Dimensions: 36 × 23 mm
- Maximum Case Thickness: Approximately 7.01 mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Dial Variations: Ivory and Sparrow Blue
- Dial Texture: Paper-fiber-inspired texture
- Display: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Hands: Polished spade-shaped hands with platinum coating
- Movement: ETA 980.163 quartz movement
- Water Resistance: 30 meters
- Straps: White palm-textured cowhide leather for Ivory; matte blue palm-textured leather for Sparrow Blue
- Production: Limited to 450 pieces
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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
