Watch Ho & Co. and Selten Unveil 'Yum Cha' Timepiece: A Homage to Hong Kong's Tea House Culture

Watch Ho & Co. and Selten have once again joined forces to create a timepiece that is deeply rooted in personal history and cultural significance. Their latest collaboration, the 'Yum Cha' watch, celebrates the third anniversary of Watch Ho & Co.(mmunity) and serves as a heartfelt homage to the traditional tea houses of Hong Kong, evoking cherished memories of founder Jackie Ho's childhood spent with his grandparents. This exquisite watch exemplifies the brands' commitment to weaving narratives into their craftsmanship, following previous successful collaborations that highlighted Hong Kong's iconic symbols.

The 'Yum Cha' Watch: A Detailed Look at Craftsmanship and Inspiration

The newly unveiled 'Yum Cha' timepiece, a collaborative effort between Watch Ho & Co. and Selten, is a remarkable fusion of horological precision and cultural storytelling. Its design is a testament to the brands' dedication to creating watches with profound personal resonance.

The watch is housed in a refined 38mm stainless steel case, featuring a sleek profile with a thickness of 9.95mm (or 8.35mm without the crystal) and a lug-to-lug measurement of 44.5mm. The solid caseback is a canvas for a unique illustration by artist @onehourwatch, depicting a young Jackie Ho enjoying a 'Yum Cha' meal with his grandparents—a scene that beautifully encapsulates the watch's inspiration. Adding a personal touch, collectors have the option to engrave a significant number on the illustrated restaurant table marker. The watch is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating and boasts a water resistance of 50 meters, ensuring both durability and clarity.

The dial of the 'Yum Cha' watch is a masterpiece of intricate design, drawing inspiration from the familiar bamboo steamer baskets used in Hong Kong's dim sum culture. Each dial starts as a silver blank, which is then meticulously hand-engraved by Selten's master engraver and enamel specialist, Qin. He divides the surface into approximately eighty distinct sections, each filled with dozens of precisely cut, brightly polished lines. The varying direction and depth of these cuts skillfully create the illusion of woven bamboo. Subsequently, multiple layers of highly transparent Grand Feu enamel are applied and fired individually at approximately 800°C. This painstaking process is repeated at least eight times before the surface is hand-polished. The entire creation of each dial requires around 16.5 hours of dedicated work, with a rejection rate exceeding 40% due to the exacting standards. The resulting Fumé Amber color gracefully transitions from a radiant honey-gold at the center to deep smoky brown edges. Depending on the light, the engraved pattern shimmers with brilliant reflections and dark shadows, faithfully replicating the appearance of a well-loved bamboo steamer. Further enhancing the theme are the distinctively shaped tea leaf hands.

Powering this exceptional timepiece is the manually wound Sellita SW210-2 M Power+ movement. This movement offers an extended power reserve of 65 hours and is adjusted in five positions, ensuring an accuracy of approximately ±6 seconds per day, highlighting its reliability and precision.

The 'Yum Cha' watch is paired with a tan Italian nubuck leather strap, expertly handmade by HasNoBounds, and secured with a pin buckle. Each watch is presented in an authentic handcrafted bamboo steamer basket, accompanied by three bamboo coasters. The warranty card ingeniously replicates the familiar red dim sum order cards used in Hong Kong tea houses, adding another layer of thematic coherence. This exclusive timepiece is a limited edition, with only 100 pieces available, priced at USD 4,950 or HKD 38,828.

The 'Yum Cha' watch by Watch Ho & Co. and Selten transcends mere timekeeping; it is a wearable piece of art that encapsulates culture, memory, and exceptional craftsmanship. For any discerning collector, this watch offers not just a measure of time, but a tangible connection to a rich cultural heritage and a deeply personal narrative. It serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration to create something truly unique and meaningful, blending intricate artisanal techniques with a heartwarming story. This limited edition piece is bound to become a cherished item, appreciated for its beauty, precision, and the soulful story it tells.