eo Kung, now an independent watchmaker, was formerly the Chief Product Officer overseeing Sea-Gull and Shanghai, two of China’s most heritage-rich brands. His relentless pursuit of perfection led him to create Orienta by hand. Presenting Orienta as the first haute horology chronograph made in China echoes the monumental 60-year achievement of the first Chinese chronograph.

Neo, a perfectionist, accepts imperfection but never stops evolving. His dedication to mastering haute horology took him to Genève, Vallée de Joux, and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel. There, he visited grand masters’ ateliers to learn and set benchmarks for his creations. Orienta was peer-reviewed at Watches and Wonders in Geneva this April, receiving praise from horological masters worldwide. He then spent months perfecting Orienta’s case silhouette, dial reflectiveness, and bridge textures, aiming to exceed the masters’ expectations.

Orienta’s design reflects the grandeur of the Forbidden City, emphasising symmetry. The crown and pushers align perfectly with the central case line, and the bezel and case back mirror each other. The dial, with hand-applied silvering and indexes, features four squared markers reminiscent of the ancient imperial palace’s towers. A gold shadow flange adds a warm, vintage vibe, making the design classic yet unique.

The beating heart of Orienta, Cal.NK-01, is inspired by the classic Venus 175, connecting to the first Chinese chronograph and historic Swiss-Chinese collaborations from 60 years ago. Drawing from “l’arbre de la vie”, its design symbolises life’s resilience and splendour, infusing poetics into the bridges, arms, and balance wheel. Meticulous hand-finishing enhances the watch’s uniqueness.

Orienta’s hands retain the unique 1960s tail variations, now with double red accents for better readability and modernity. The Platinum 950 case underscores this timepiece’s significance for Neo Kung.

To obtain the unique, warm, and radiating Soleil palette, Neo Kung personally hand-dyed the leather using traditional plant-based, coating-free methods. The hand-stitched, CITES-certified straps offer an unparalleled feel with a responsible touch.

Orienta’s wearability stems from extensive trials, resulting in a 10.6mm thick and 39.8mm diameter design. After 21 case samples, it fits comfortably under any shirt sleeve. Sapphire add an airy, transparent look. The unique lug design suits various wrist sizes, solving wearability issues for smaller wrists.

As Neo Kung’s inaugural timepiece, Orienta exemplifies his commitment to horological excellence. It pays tribute to the past while paving the way for future innovations, in line with his “Heritage Forward” philosophy.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Material: Platinum 950
• Diameter: 39.8 mm
• Height: 10.6 mm
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water resistance: 60 m

• Movement: Cal. NK-01
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and chronograph
• Winding: Manual
• Frequency: 21600 BPH
• Power reserve: 42 hours

• Strap: Coating free soleil alligator strap, fully hand-stitched with pin buckle
• Limited edition: 12 pieces
• Availability: Souscription and authorised retailers
• Price: CHF 35,800 VAT included