Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 08
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.
Koncise: Reviving the Art of Miniature Enamel
Founded in Beijing in 2007 by Mr. Kong Lingjun, a 76th-generation descendant of Confucius, Koncise has developed into a specialist team dedicated to miniature enamel craftsmanship. Under his leadership, the brand has continued to preserve traditional techniques while exploring new possibilities for their application in contemporary objects.
Koncise works with three principal miniature enamel techniques: cloisonné, champlevé, and miniature painted enamel. These methods are applied to gold, silver, and ceramic substrates to create timepieces and jewelry that combine meticulous workmanship with decorative richness. Through this focus, the brand has established a distinctive identity at the intersection of traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Beyond its technical pursuits, Koncise is guided by the philosophy of cultural preservation and craft revival. The Confucian ideal of ren — benevolence and care for others — informs its commitment to charitable initiatives and its ambition to create enamel art that carries a meaningful cultural message.
The Mermaid Series reflects this philosophy by bringing a traditional craft into conversation with one of today's most pressing concerns: the protection of the natural environment.
The Mermaid Series — Enamel Art with a Message of Hope
Embrace of the Frozen Sea · A Promise Among Icebergs · Polar Star Rendezvous · A Rose's Response
The Mermaid Series brings together four timepieces united by a moving environmental fable. At its heart is the story of a polar bear mother and her cub whose icy home is under threat. When they encounter a mermaid, mistaking her for a messenger from the human world, the mother bear offers her a rose and entrusts her with a heartfelt plea: ask humanity to stop destroying the environment and leave them the last place they can call home. The mermaid responds with an embrace, promising to carry their message to the human world, while the polar bears wait in hope that their home might yet be saved.
Each watch title captures a different aspect of this narrative. Embrace of the Frozen Sea evokes the warmth of connection amid a fragile polar landscape; A Promise Among Icebergs reflects the commitment to protect a threatened home; Polar Star Rendezvous suggests anticipation and the search for hope; and A Rose's Response recalls the flower that carries the bears' plea. Together, the four pieces turn the watch dial into a visual story about compassion, environmental responsibility, and the relationship between humanity and nature.
The collection's defining feature is its high-temperature miniature gold cloisonné enamel, a traditional decorative technique that combines delicate metalwork with the luminous color of fired enamel. Fine gold wires are shaped into intricate outlines that define individual areas of the design, which are then filled with enamel and fired at high temperatures. On the 42 mm dial, this painstaking process brings the mermaid, polar bears, and marine imagery to life through precise gold lines and richly colored details. The result reflects the refinement of traditional Chinese enamel craftsmanship while introducing contemporary themes into an established artistic tradition.
Adapting this technique to a compact watch dial requires considerable precision. Every outline and area of color must work within a limited space while preserving the clarity of the imagery. Rather than treating traditional enamel as purely ornamental, Koncise uses it to convey a story with contemporary relevance. The gold detailing and vivid enamel colors lend the dials a distinctive decorative richness, while the environmental narrative gives the artistry a deeper purpose.
All four watches share a 316L stainless steel case with rose-gold plating, measuring 42 mm in diameter and 10 mm thick. A sapphire crystal protects the enamel dial, while an alligator leather strap complements the warm metallic finish. Each model is powered by a Chinese-made automatic mechanical movement and offers water resistance to 30 meters.
Through the Mermaid Series, Koncise demonstrates how traditional Chinese craftsmanship can evolve through contemporary design and storytelling. The collection preserves the meticulous skills of miniature enamel art while directing attention toward the protection of wildlife and the environment. It is a meeting of heritage and modern creativity in which the beauty of the watch serves a larger message: the hope that humanity can learn to protect the natural world we share.
Key Specifications
- Brand: Koncise (Kongshi Enamel)
- Collection: Mermaid Series
- Number of Models: 4
- Movement: Chinese-made automatic mechanical movement
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel with rose-gold plating
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Case Thickness: 10 mm
- Dial: High-temperature miniature gold cloisonné enamel
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Strap: Alligator leather
- Buckle: Pin buckle
- Water Resistance: 30 meters
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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
