Imagine dedicating your life to preserving the legacy of a horological pioneer. That's exactly what Benjamin Hui is doing, and it's resulting in a stunning tribute that could reignite a passion for independent watchmaking! Hui's Independent Atelier has just unveiled Project Tai Yu, a breathtaking homage to Kiu Tai Yu, a name that might not be widely known outside enthusiast circles, but should be. Why? Because Tai Yu was the very first watchmaker from China to be accepted into the prestigious Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) back in 1992 – a true trailblazer.
Now, here's the intriguing part: Tai Yu's original Millennium watch, released in 2000, is incredibly rare. Only 20 pieces were ever made. Finding even one is like searching for a horological needle in a haystack. But Hui, a dedicated watch collector, didn't just find one; he managed to acquire two after a decade-long quest! And this is where Project Tai Yu comes in: Hui, through his Independent Atelier, is recreating this iconic timepiece in a limited edition of 25 pieces, ensuring that Kiu Tai Yu's spirit and contribution to watchmaking history lives on.
This isn't just about making another watch; it's about preserving a legacy. Following Kiu Tai Yu's passing in 2020, Project Tai Yu serves as a powerful memorial, safeguarding his influence for future generations. Independent Atelier is an interesting collective, comprised of members of the GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) academy and independent watchmakers. For this specific endeavor, Hui has joined forces with Zhang YuXin, a talented watchmaker and fellow GPHG academy member from China.
The 18k yellow gold case of Project Tai Yu, though a modest 35mm in diameter, is packed with meticulous details. It measures 46mm lug-to-lug and 11.2mm in height, making it a comfortable size for many wrists. The sculpted lugs feature a striking spiraling pattern, meticulously filled with vibrant red lacquer. On the left side of the case, almost hidden, is a section filled with red cold enamel bearing Tai Yu's name. On the opposite side, a knurled crown, also adorned with red-filled engraving, is nestled between two protective guards extending from the caseband. It's these subtle details that speak volumes about the dedication to honoring Tai Yu's vision.
The dial is a work of art in itself, divided into two distinct sections. The upper portion showcases a black porcelain enamel finish, dramatically exposing the mesmerizing balance wheel. The lower section is dedicated to the hours and minutes subdial. The balance wheel, secured by a beautifully crafted, double-sided gold-colored bridge with heat-blued screws, is set against a backdrop of red lacquer, with inscriptions in white indicating the year and the limited-edition number. The bottom half features sword-shaped hour and minutes hands gracefully gliding over a unique combination of Arabic, Roman, and Chinese numerals and symbols, highlighted by a red center. And this is the part most people miss: On the left, you'll find an engraving in black displaying the Chinese symbols for 'Good Fortune & Harmony', while on the right, the symbols for 'Millennium', the name of Kiu Tai Yu's original watch, are subtly placed.
Information regarding the movement is somewhat limited, but it's essentially a faithful recreation of Kiu Tai Yu's original movement, which was likely based on the reliable ETA 2824 architecture. However, it has been significantly updated with modern enhancements. Now known as the IATY-01, this automatic movement boasts an improved escapement, balance shaft, Incabloc shock protection, regulator, and hairspring compared to its predecessor. It's fascinating to learn that, during the reverse engineering process, the team discovered that Kiu Tai Yu had essentially hand-made many of the components himself – a testament to his dedication and skill. This level of craftsmanship is rarely seen, even today. All of this results in a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and a power reserve of 38 hours.
Project Tai Yu comes with two straps: one black and one red, both crafted from JeaYou alligator leather and fitted with a yellow gold pin buckle featuring red-filled engravings. One of the straps includes a half 'bow-tie' element in red near the lug side, further emphasizing the watch's unique design and also displaying Tai Yu's name in yellow gold over red cold enamel.
Only 25 of these exceptional timepieces will be created, each priced at CHF 30,500 (before VAT).
But here's where it gets controversial… Some might argue that recreating a watch so closely resembles a copy, rather than a true homage. Others might question the price point for a watch based on a rebuilt movement. What are your thoughts on recreating historically significant watches? Does it cheapen the original, or does it help to perpetuate the legacy of great watchmakers?
For more information, visit Independent Atelier's Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/independentatelier/) or contact [email protected]
Technical Specifications – Independent Atelier Project Tai Yu
- Case: 35mm diameter - 11.2mm height - 46mm lug-to-lug - 18k yellow gold case, brushed & polished - red-infilled engraved lugs - sapphire crystal front & back - yellow gold crown with red-infilled engraving - 30m water-resistant
- Dial: Porcelain enamel dial in black - exposed balance wheel under dual-sided bridge with flame-blued screws & red backing - raised lower section with hour & minutes subdial - Roman, Arabic & Chinese hour numerals - sword-shaped hands - cold enamel inscriptions on the left (Good Fortune, in Chinese symbols) and right side (Millennium, in Chinese symbols, in reference to Kiu Tai Yu's original watch)
- Movement: IATY-01, automatic - in honor of Kiu Tai Yu's original movement - likely based on ETA 2824 architecture geartrain - 28,800vph - 25 jewels - 38h power reserve - dial-side mounted balance wheel - off-set hours & minutes display
- Strap: Black-and-red JeaYou alligator leather strap - yellow gold pin buckle with engraving & cold enamel filling
- Availability: Limited to 25 pieces
- Price: CHF 30,500
