Horology Planet Exhibition Series — 01
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. We begin with DALKOMM, a brand that draws on Chinese cultural traditions while exploring new possibilities in mechanical watch design.
DALKOMM: A Distinctive Voice in Chinese Watchmaking
DALKOMM brings together contemporary aesthetics, cultural storytelling, and mechanical watchmaking. Backed by more than two decades of OEM manufacturing experience, the brand is building on its manufacturing heritage to develop a more individual approach to Chinese watchmaking — one that moves beyond Made in China toward Created in China.
That ambition is reflected in the details. Unconventional case structures, imagery drawn from Eastern and Western cultures, and movement adjustments developed to suit individual designs all contribute to the brand's distinctive identity. Rather than treating a watch as a standard mechanical platform with a decorative exterior, DALKOMM approaches each creation as a complete design, in which the movement, materials, and visual narrative work together.
For the brand, a watch can do more than tell the time. It can carry cultural references, express artistic ideas, and give traditional symbols a new place in everyday life. Two models presented in this exhibition illustrate that approach particularly well: Loong Ascending From Abyss and Guan Yu in Green.
Loong Ascending From Abyss: The Power of a Dragon Yet to Rise
The inspiration behind Loong Ascending From Abyss comes from the I Ching, or Book of Changes, and the phrase Qian Long Wu Yong (潜龙勿用) — a reference to a hidden dragon that has yet to reveal its power.
The idea is not one of weakness or hesitation, but of potential held in reserve. It speaks to the patience required to build strength, the discipline to wait for the right moment, and the confidence to act when that moment arrives. DALKOMM translates this philosophy into a watch that balances a sense of quiet restraint with the unmistakable presence of a dragon.
The dial provides the setting for this interpretation. Guilloché engraving creates a finely patterned surface reminiscent of the intricate decoration found on traditional Chinese objects. At its center, a three-dimensional dragon commands attention, its sculpted form rising above the dial rather than appearing as a flat illustration.
The dragon is created through a combination of lost-wax casting, engraving, inlay work, sandblasting, and electroplating. Each technique contributes to the relief's depth and definition, giving the mythical creature a richly detailed appearance. The result draws on the decorative traditions associated with Chinese court art while bringing them into the context of contemporary independent watchmaking.
The case continues the watch's layered construction. Twelve three-dimensional luminous markers are treated with Swiss BGW9 luminescent material, while a substantial 10 mm-thick sapphire crystal adds another dimension to the dial's sculptural effect. Water resistance is rated at 5 ATM.
The strap carries the dragon theme beyond the dial. Fluororubber forms its base, with genuine African python skin laid over the surface. The choice reflects the traditional association between serpents and dragons, as well as the visual connection between their scales. Because the material retains the natural variations of the skin, each strap has its own distinctive pattern.
Inside the case, the Caliber 8006 tourbillon movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of at least 68 hours. Its mechanical complexity offers a fitting counterpart to the watch's central theme: strength is not always something to display immediately. Sometimes, it is built quietly before making its presence known.
Available in gold and silver versions, Loong Ascending From Abyss brings together classical Chinese symbolism, intricate decorative techniques, and modern mechanical watchmaking in a design centered on the idea of potential waiting to be realized.
Key Specifications
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Dial Diameter: 44.5 mm
- Case Thickness: 14.5 mm
- Crystal: 10 mm-thick sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Strap: 22 mm fluororubber with African python skin overlay
- Movement: Caliber 8006 tourbillon
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
- Power Reserve: At least 68 hours
Guan Yu in Green: A Watch Shaped by Loyalty and Honor
Few figures occupy as distinctive a place in Chinese cultural memory as Guan Yu, the celebrated general associated with righteousness (yi, 义), trustworthiness (xin, 信), and propriety (li, 礼). Revered across generations, he appears in historical narratives, religious traditions, and works of art. With Guan Yu in Green, DALKOMM draws on this enduring legacy to create a watch in which character, craftsmanship, and mechanical movement are closely intertwined.
The design combines the solemn presence of traditional Chinese sculpture with visual elements inspired by Guizhou Nuo opera, a folk performance tradition known for its striking masks and expressive imagery. Instead of printing Guan Yu's likeness onto the dial, DALKOMM uses silver casting to create a sculptural relief. His distinctive face forms the focal point, framed by twin dragons and auspicious clouds that lend the composition additional depth and symbolism.
The storytelling extends to the hands themselves. Inspired by the weapons associated with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, Guan Yu's sworn brothers in the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, their forms recall the legendary brotherhood that binds the three figures together. It is a thoughtful detail that gives the watch's cultural references a functional role: the story is not simply displayed on the dial but incorporated into the way the time is read.
Green provides the unifying visual theme. The case and matching strap echo Guan Yu's iconic green robe, while the raised crystal accentuates the relief beneath it. The contrast between the sculpted silver-colored details and the watch's strong architectural profile gives the piece a commanding presence without overwhelming its central figure.
The watch is powered by the Caliber 5811 tourbillon movement, which runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of at least 58 hours. As the movement turns beneath the sculptural dial, mechanical motion adds another layer to the design, setting the precision of modern watchmaking against the stillness of the figure it portrays.
By translating Guan Yu's legacy into sculpted metal, distinctive hand shapes, and a tourbillon-powered display, DALKOMM offers a fresh interpretation of values that have remained meaningful in Chinese culture for centuries. Guan Yu in Green is not simply a watch decorated with a historical figure; it is an attempt to make that figure's story part of the object's design and identity.
Key Specifications
- Case Material: 316L stainless steel
- Dial Diameter: 44.5 mm
- Case Thickness: 14.5 mm
- Movement: Caliber 5811 tourbillon
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
- Power Reserve: At least 58 hours
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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
