Preservation of light and shadow
Time may wash away landscapes, but memory can be captured. Taking inspiration from Hong Kong’s vintage signboards, we have distilled the energy and distinct aesthetic of old Hong Kong into the fine details of a wristwatch. With every glance at your wrist, we hope you feel a moment of connection to a golden era that remains truly irreplaceable.
Time captures the vibrant lights and shadows of Hong Kong
As a home-grown Hong Kong brand, this marks our very first return to where it all began—using "Hong Kong" as the soul and centrepiece of our timepiece creation.
Ask anyone about Hong Kong, and imagery of the steadfast Lion Rock, the glittering Victoria Harbour nightscape, or the gentle rhythm of the Star Ferry might come to mind. But for me, the true spirit of Hong Kong lives in its iconic streetscapes, woven together by countless hand-crafted store signboards.
Throughout the golden decades of the 1940s to 1980s, bold calligraphy and dazzling neon light swept through our streets and alleys—a vivid, chaotic canopy that became a visual hallmark unique to this city. Yet, as time marched on, business closures and strict safety removals have caused these timeless scenes—carrying the memories of generations—to fade rapidly from our streets.
KM-81 Shanghai Street-1984 - Photographed by Keith Macgregor
北魏真書體 Zansyu
From the 1940s to the 1980s, the undisputed soul of Hong Kong’s vibrant street signs was the Beiwei calligraphy style (Beiwei Ti). Defined by its bold strokes and sharp, powerful contours, it became the signature choice for countless businesses crafting their storefront identities. This distinct urban aesthetic was brought to life by a generation of legendary calligraphers—including Au Kin-ko(區建公), Cheuk Siu-hang(卓少衡), Lai Yat-ming(黎一鳴), and So Se-kit(蘇世傑)—whose brushstrokes shaped the visual character of the city.
As these master calligraphers passed on, this iconic street art faced the threat of disappearing into history. Fortunately, Hong Kong type designer Adonis Chan spent over a decade researching and systematizing the style, resurrecting it for the modern era as the digital typeface "北魏真書體 Zansyu".
Persistence is the key to success
Creating a complete Chinese typeface is a monumental undertaking. Unlike the 26 letters of the English alphabet, standard Traditional Chinese demands the design of over 6,000 intricate characters—requiring an extraordinary investment of time, patience, and passion. Deeply moved by this devotion to preserving Hong Kong’s visual heritage, we chose "北魏真書體 Zansyu" as the core design element for our timepiece, translating half a century of calligraphic power into the fine details of the dial and hands.
Case
Slender Profile via Chamfer Flanks:
While the main case measures 38.5mm, the top bezel gently tapers down to 36mm. We sculpted generous, smooth chamfers along the case flanks that seamlessly transition into the lugs. Finished with mirror polishing throughout, the case catches and refracts ambient light as your wrist turns—making it appear even sleeker and more refined on the wrist than in the hand.
Slim Perception through Inward Curves:
To achieve an exceptionally lightweight and slim presence on the wrist, we paired an inward-curving bezel with a double-domed sapphire crystal. The entire watch measures just 10.1mm in total thickness, while the main case body alone—excluding the crystal—is a remarkably thin 8.4mm!
DIAL DESIGN
When it came to choosing the watch’s dial reference, we purposefully selected the classic Sector Dial as our creative blueprint.
This was not merely a nod to vintage aesthetic trends, but a decision rooted in the perfect harmony between form and function. Born in the 1930s, the Sector Dial was originally designed to maximise legibility through clean, compartmentalised geometric tracks. Similarly, the Beiwei calligraphy style became the predominant choice for vintage Hong Kong signboards because of its razor-sharp strokes and bold, distinct silhouettes—making it effortlessly readable even from a distance.
MOVEMENT
9039 Premium Automatic
MIYOTA’s signature ultra-thin premium mechanical movement. High accuracy and high quality make it.
Specification
- Case Size: 38.5mm
- Thickness: 10.1mm
- Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Glass: Sapphire Crystal
- Movement: Miyota 9039 Movement
- Water Resistant: 5 ATM