Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 13
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.
Memorigin: Where Chinese Heritage Meets Tourbillon Watchmaking
Since its founding, Memorigin has pursued a distinctive direction in contemporary watchmaking, combining traditional Chinese craftsmanship with the technical demands of high-end mechanical horology. Its collections draw on a wide range of cultural references, transforming familiar symbols and artistic traditions into original wristwatch designs.
The brand's approach is particularly evident in its use of three-dimensional sculptural elements, unconventional materials, and mechanical displays that do more than indicate the passage of time. Rather than treating cultural imagery as an afterthought, Memorigin integrates it into the structure and visual language of each watch.
The two creations presented here illustrate this philosophy in different ways. One evokes the tranquil atmosphere of a traditional Chinese scholar's retreat, where music and incense accompany moments of reflection. The other draws on the auspicious union of dragon and phoenix, translating a celebrated cultural motif into a richly detailed mechanical composition.
Emerald Strings — A Scholar's Retreat in Green
The Chinese art of music, incense, and contemplation, reimagined through luminous carbon fiber and a flying tourbillon.
Inspired by the refined pursuits of ancient Chinese scholars, Emerald Strings brings together two traditional elements: the sound of the guzheng, a plucked Chinese zither, and the gentle fragrance of incense. Set against a tranquil green landscape, the scene evokes a world in which music, nature, and quiet contemplation are inseparable.
The watch was designed by Shum Mo-ning, father of Memorigin founder Samuel Shum, with contributions from Benjamin Lin, founder of the Chinese watch brand Behrens. Their collaboration translates this traditional scene into a contemporary mechanical composition, preserving the spirit of the original inspiration while giving it an unmistakably modern form.
Green provides the visual thread connecting the entire design. From the dial and the delicate outlines of the incense burner to the dark green rubber strap, the consistent palette recalls the hues of jade and fresh bamboo. The result is elegant without being overly ornate, with the luminous green details adding a contemporary edge to the traditional subject matter.
The dial is arranged like a miniature painting. At 9 o'clock, a dedicated guzheng subdial features finely separated strings crafted from high-quality steel wire using micro-engraving techniques. Its seconds hand takes the form of a delicate hand moving across the strings, creating the impression of a musician plucking the instrument as time passes.
On the lower-right portion of the dial, an intricately rendered incense burner completes the scene. Wisps of rising smoke are outlined in green luminous material, allowing the motif to glow in low-light conditions. Opposite the burner, the guzheng creates a visual dialogue between music and incense — two pursuits long associated with cultivated living in Chinese tradition.
The time display at 12 o'clock and the flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock establish a balanced vertical arrangement. Beneath the transparent caseback, the movement's gears and escapement can be admired in operation.
The 39 mm case is made from luminous carbon fiber, a lightweight material with a distinctive geometric pattern. Each case has its own individual texture, making every watch visually unique. The material also offers excellent shock resistance and wear resistance, while the integrated luminous character reinforces the watch's contemporary aesthetic.
Inside, a manually wound flying tourbillon movement comprising 162 components provides a power reserve of 48 hours. Its free-sprung regulating system is designed to enhance shock resistance and support stable timekeeping. Despite the complexity of the movement and the dial's elaborate decorative details, the watch measures just 9.2 mm thick.
By combining traditional scholarly imagery with modern composite materials and sophisticated mechanics, Emerald Strings captures a quieter side of Chinese cultural heritage. It is a watch that invites the wearer to appreciate not only the passage of time, but also the atmosphere, artistry, and contemplative spirit surrounding it.
Key Specifications
- Model: MO 1025
- Case Material: Luminous carbon fiber
- Case Diameter: 39 mm
- Case Thickness: 9.2 mm
- Movement: Manual-winding flying tourbillon
- Movement Components: 162
- Power Reserve: 48 hours
- Strap: Dark green rubber
Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness — A Celebration of Harmony
Gold sculpture, mother-of-pearl, and luminous mechanics unite in a tribute to one of China's most enduring symbols of good fortune.
Few combinations carry as much cultural significance in Chinese tradition as the dragon and phoenix. The dragon represents power and masculine vitality, while the phoenix embodies grace and feminine beauty. Together, they symbolize harmony, balance, and the union of complementary forces. Their imagery has long appeared in imperial ceremonies, festive occasions, and traditional decorative arts.
Memorigin brings this symbolism to life in Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness, a tourbillon watch built around a richly sculpted dial. Rather than relying on printed decoration, the design uses three-dimensional forms and precious materials to create a scene that unfolds across the wrist.
The dial features a mother-of-pearl base, whose natural iridescence provides a subtle backdrop for the sculptural elements. At its center, a solid 18K gold dragon appears to swim through water, its body rendered with lifelike detail. Burmese rubies set into its eyes add a vivid focal point, bringing character and intensity to the mythical creature.
Coiling nearby, a phoenix is depicted in finely modeled relief. Its serene expression and flowing feathers lend a sense of movement and grace to the composition. Together, the dragon and phoenix create a visual balance that reflects the traditional ideal of complementary forces existing in harmony.
One of the watch's most distinctive features sits at 8 o'clock: the Dragon Spitting a Pearl display. In Chinese mythology, the dragon's pearl is associated with auspicious power, wisdom, and precious fortune. Memorigin gives this familiar motif an unusual mechanical interpretation, using a Japanese Akoya pearl measuring just 5 mm in diameter.
The pearl is carefully hollowed out to accommodate nine internal components, including high-tech tritium gas tubes. This intricate construction allows the pearl to emit a steady glow in darkness, with a stated luminous lifespan of up to 40 years. The glowing pearl rotates once every 60 seconds, introducing a subtle but captivating motion to the dial.
At 6 o'clock, a flying tourbillon provides a second point of mechanical animation. The rotating pearl and the tourbillon work together visually, linking the movement of time with the symbolism of longevity and enduring good fortune. The result is more than a conventional complication display: each moving element contributes to the watch's cultural narrative.
Housed in a 42 mm stainless steel case, the watch pairs traditional Chinese symbolism with a modern mechanical construction. Its automatic flying tourbillon movement complements the elaborate dial, while the sculpted dragon, phoenix, and luminous pearl give the timepiece a distinctive artistic identity.
Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness demonstrates how a traditional cultural motif can be reinterpreted through contemporary horology without losing its symbolic meaning. The combination of 18K gold sculpture, natural mother-of-pearl, ruby details, and a long-lasting luminous pearl creates a watch that speaks to collectors interested in both mechanical craftsmanship and the stories embedded in Chinese decorative art.
Key Specifications
- Model: AT 0828
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Movement: Automatic flying tourbillon
- Dial: Mother-of-pearl with sculpted dragon and phoenix motifs
- Dragon: Solid 18K gold
- Dragon's Eyes: Burmese rubies
- Dragon Pearl Display: 5 mm Japanese Akoya pearl with tritium illumination
- Luminous Lifespan: Up to 40 years, as stated by the brand
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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
