Introducing the Celadon Cloisonné Enamel Imperial Four Nobles 'Summer / Bamboo (竹). (Click here to read article).

A collaboration born from a shared reverence for traditional Chinese culture, the Celadon Cloisonné Enamel Imperial Four Nobles is a remarkable meeting of horological artistry and cultural heritage. Developed by Revolution in partnership with Benjamin Chee—founder of Celadon Haute Horlogerie, seasoned collector, and passionate champion of Chinese watchmaking—this project embodies the spirit of “Made in China with Pride.”

Since founding Celadon in 2012, Benjamin has committed himself to elevating Chinese watchmaking by crafting artisanal timepieces that reflect over five millennia of Chinese art and philosophy. Every dial design in this series was personally conceived and created by Benjamin himself, drawing from deep cultural traditions and reinterpreting them through the lens of fine watchmaking.

The inspiration behind this series is both poetic and profound: the harmony of the Four Seasons — Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter — expressed through the classical Chinese art of bird-and-flower painting. This is paired with the concept of the Four Gentlemen, or Four Noble Ones — a motif deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, each associated with one of four plants symbolizing virtues such as perseverance, grace, resilience, and humility.

Bringing these ideas to life is Master Enameller Xiong Songtao of Beijing, a revered cloisonné artisan whose family has served as Imperial Enamellers to Chinese emperors for generations. Each cloisonné enamel dial is a marvel of technique and patience — the intricate wire-laying alone takes over 50 hours, and at any stage during the multi-step firing process, the enamel can crack, warp, or lose its color. Fewer than one in ten dials survive to perfection. But those that do are eternal: cloisonné enamel never fades, and every dial is a singular work of art — no two are exactly alike.

The four models in the series include:

Winter / Plum Blossom (梅)
“Ermine Peacock with Plum Blossoms”
A regal white peacock, cloaked in ermine-like feathers, stands amidst the stark stillness of winter. Around it, plum blossoms bloom defiantly through the frost — a powerful symbol of perseverance and quiet strength.

Spring / Orchid (蘭)
“Orioles Amidst the Orchids”
Delicate orchids perfume the fresh spring air as orioles, vibrant in color, flit joyfully among the blooms. A portrait of renewal, elegance, and gentle joy.

Summer / Bamboo (竹)
“Bamboo with Birds of Paradise”
In the tranquil shade of a bamboo grove, flamboyant birds of paradise burst into view. Their radiant plumage captures the vitality and exuberance of summer.

Autumn / Chrysanthemum (菊)
“Chrysanthemums and Cranes”
A sedge of red-crowned cranes soars above golden fields of blooming chrysanthemums. Together, they evoke the enduring grace of nature in transition.

Each model is housed in a 38mm x 10.1mm 316L stainless steel case with Celadon’s signature teardrop lugs, designed for an elegant and refined presence on the wrist. Though compact in diameter, the extended lugs give the watch a presence closer to 39mm, making it versatile for various wrist sizes. The case is topped with a domed sapphire crystal and secured by a screwed sapphire caseback.

The dials are paired with double-faceted Dauphine hour and minute hands and a polished central seconds hand — all finely finished for optimal legibility and light play.

Powering the watch is the Celadon-Grade ST18 calibre — a slim, reliable automatic movement just 3.6mm thick. It features a custom rotor engraved with the Celadon “CL” seal and is visible through the sapphire caseback. Finished with perlage and Côtes de Genève, the movement is regulated in-house to an accuracy of ±10 seconds per day, offers a 42-hour power reserve, and beats at 28,800 vph (4Hz). It comes with a five-year warranty.

This collaboration also brings together two more exceptional artisans, making it a true four-way creative endeavor. Joining the project is Lin Yiyan, founder of RSM Watch Straps and a pioneer in Singapore’s independent watch scene, who meticulously custom-fitted each model with a complementary strap. The presentation boxes were handcrafted by a master woodworker — a close friend of Benjamin’s — who brings over 30 years of experience in fine joinery and traditional craftsmanship.

Each box is constructed from Burmese rosewood (缅甸花梨), a prized hardwood revered for its strength, rich grain, and fine texture. Using time-honored mortise-and-tenon joinery—the same method used in ancient Chinese architecture—each box undergoes a meticulous 27-step process from raw wood to polished finish.

The watches are available on an open-order basis, with a one-month ordering window from the official launch date. The first 25 pieces of each model will be individually numbered. However, the first 5 of each reference will be offered exclusively as part of a complete box set containing all four watches — Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn — representing the full philosophical and artistic expression of the Four Noble Ones. All other pieces will be engraved “Special Edition” instead.

The Celadon Cloisonné Enamel Imperial Four Nobles is priced at SGD 13,880 before taxes per piece. The complete four-watch box set is available exclusively on our website for SGD 55,520 before taxes.

This is more than a timepiece. It is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and culture — a timeless expression of Chinese artistry on the wrist.

Delivery will commence 4 months after orders are placed.