The CTK Chinese Timejkeeper is daring nevertheless subtle, modern yet traditional, but above all an exceptional timepiece, proudly crafted-in-China. China’s finest watchmakers have created each timepiece with utmost care.

Their self-imposed criteria of excellence have driven them to achieve flawless watches to be enjoyed by the true amateurs of watches and Chinese culture alike. All the details in a Chinese Timekeeper have been carefully thought-out, bringing a truly exquisite timepiece to the world. Not only is the heritage of the timepieces unique, their manufacturing is loyal to their roots, to the Chinese values of excellence and craftsmanship. The Chinese Timekeeper Second Collection is made of 14 references for a limited production of 480 pieces. All pieces are engraved with a unique and exclusive serial number.

The Chinese Timekeeper
Based in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, the eponymous brand name has been deliberately chosen to emanate the glorious Chinese heritage upon which its designs and inspiration are founded. Indeed throughout its magnificent history, China saw numerous of its greatest engineers, scientists and scholars being at the core of the conquest of time. Their vision and achievements have triggered The Chinese Timekeeper’s will to pay them tributes. But to envision the work of these astronomers it is also key to understand the peculiar relation that the Middle Kingdom had with time. China’s relation to time never really changed over the course of its history. Innovations of Chinese scholars headed to better understanding of astrology. Measurement of time was simply a mean to an aim. Nevertheless, doing so the Chinese engineers created along the century’s device becoming more and more precise, creating and using technologies still necessary nowadays for a mechanical watch to work. In order to fully understand its watch collections the Chinese Luxury House is inviting you to travel back centuries to rediscover a time when China was ruling the world.

Time and China – The beginning
Timekeeping in China can be traced all the way back to its first dynasty, the Shang (1600BC until 1100BC). During that time, people were mostly rural farmers and did not need to know the precise time. Therefore the day was only separated into two sections: ‘Ch’u’, which was from ‘just before dawn’ and ended with the morning. The second part of the day, called ‘Cheng’ went from midday until ‘just after dusk’. In agriculture, drums and trumpets were still used to dictate the time, but varied greatly with weather, seasons, and farming requirements. In city life, craftsman could only work until the last glimpse of natural light. For the Emperor’s servants punctuality was replaced by circumstances and productivity was measured by ones ability to stay busy. However under the commandment of the emperor a great number of astronomers and engineers paved the way of today’s watchmakers with their crucial inventions.

The Chinese Timekeeper, Date Automatic – Limited Edition of 18 pieces

The CTK02 is probably the most perfect example of a daring timepiece. The Chinese Timekeeper, Date Automatic allies the modernity of a full black PVD case with a bewitching navy blue dial with sunray finishing.

Simply mesmerising.
The case, perfectly round, even more so that the crown is fitted at 2pm offers strong lines and fine characteristics. Not only its construction is made of four superposed rings immediately reminding the wearer of a traditional Chinese Pagoda but also its silhouette is reminiscent of the great driving wheel of Su Song clock tower. The Hong Kong Maison has truly created the stunning watch that the whole of Greater China was waiting for. Manufactured in unusually limited numbers and meticulously assembled by experienced watchmakers, CTK02 is expected to be the piece of choice of an upcoming generation that will shape the future in the coming years. The CTK02 has a power reserve of 36 hours, a water-resistance of five atmospheres and a dial protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. It is also supplied with two black calf leather straps of white or black stitching. Finally, the beautifully shaped buckle, representing one of the circles of Heavens of an armillary sphere, will constantly remind the wearer of the illustrious origins of our timepieces. A piece with an identity of its own, a piece of exclusivity, one of only 18 pieces …

  • Movement: Automatic mechanical, CTK 6300 – Hangzhou Watch Company, diameter 26mm, thickness 4,6mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.
  • Functions: Hour, minute, second, date.
  • Case: Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment.
  • Bezel: Four large screws with black PVD treatment.
  • Back: Black, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “10CTK02” & water resistance “50m”.
  • Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
  • Dial: Navy Blue with sunray finishing. Applied numerals and Hours, minutes & seconds hands in shiny silver color. Date at 3 o’clock with rehaut in silver color. At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in shiny silver color.
  • Inner ring: Black matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.
  • Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
  • Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).
  • Strap: Black calf leather with blue stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
  • Supplied with a second interchangeable black calf leather with black stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
  • Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel with black matt PVD treatment. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.
  • Reference: CTK02
  • Limited Edition: 18pieces
  • Retail Price: 20,800HK$ // 1,900Euro (w/o VAT)