Project Legend of Long

Legend of Long – A Masterpiece of Hand-Engraved ArtistryThe Legend of Long is a tribute to the mythical Chinese dragon (龙 – Lóng), a symbol of power, wisdom, and prosperity. Every detail of this timepiece is a testament to the artistry and dedication of traditional hand engraving.The dial features an exquisitely sculpted golden dragon, meticulously carved by hand over the course of a month. Each individual scale, whisker, and claw is brought to life through hours of careful chiseling, creating a striking three-dimensional effect that gives the dragon a sense of movement and vitality. The deep blackened background, achieved through contrasting finishing techniques, enhances the depth of the engraving, making the dragon appear as if it is emerging from the dial itself.This watch is not just a timepiece—it is a wearable work of art, carrying the legacy of Métiers d'Art and the spirit of the legendary dragon.

Project Anise

The intricate pattern on this dial is meticulously hand-engraved by our master artisan in Vietnam. Once the engraving is complete, the dial is plated with 18k gold, enhancing its richness and depth. The design is inspired by the delicate forms of the anise plant. To create a striking contrast, our client chose deep purple hands, adding a bold yet elegant touch.The movement has also undergone a special treatment, featuring the same hand-engraved decorations on the barrel and wheel bridges. The balance bridge is adorned with an exquisite floral engraving, while the mainplate receives a refined perlage finish. Finally, the entire movement is plated in 18k gold, ensuring a harmonious and luxurious aesthetic.

Project Snake Vietnam

This is a recent project I completed for a local client here in Vietnam. This is my very first piece featuring a rose-gold plated case, paired with a hand-engraved dial and chapter rings. It would have been a perfect match for my upcoming Prestige V2 movement, but due to time and budget constraints, we went with a simpler configuration. Still, I’m truly happy with how it turned out

Project Ultra Leacus

When my friend Dat—the talented artisan behind our leather straps (@leacus_straps)—asked me to create a special piece for him, I instantly knew this one would be perfect. The dial features our Ultra Hand-Turned Rose Engine Guilloché pattern by Master Shen, finished in a striking "Amber" tone. Paired with gold hands and subdials, it subtly echoes the colors of the Vietnamese flag, evoking both pride and refinement.

Project 3 Zodiacs

At OAN.GIO, our essence has always been rooted in forging deep, emotional connections with our clients. Every timepiece we create tells a story — not just ours, but one that truly belongs to its wearer.Last December, my client Jon approached me with a heartfelt request: to craft a one-of-a-kind watch that would honor the sacred harmony of the Three Harmony Bazi combination for his wedding in June. As someone born under the Monkey sign, Jon dreamed of uniting the Rat and Dragon symbols with his own — all brought together on a single dial.It was far from easy. After much thought, we embraced the challenge of using 3D engraving sculpture, one of the most intricate and demanding crafts in horology. And just in time for his unforgettable day, we completed the piece.I can honestly say — this might be the most beautiful watch we've ever created.

Project Flower Of Time

Hand engraving is the oldest and most traditional technique for decorating metal, demanding exceptional skill and precision. A master craftsman uses specialized handheld tools, typically made from hardened steel, to cut intricate designs into the surface, removing tiny sections of metal to create text or patterns that appear carved from within. It takes hours for our master artisan to complete a dial. We work with master engravers in Vietnam, Thailand, Ukraine and Russia.

Project Marble Painting

When my client shared with me an image of an emerald-green marble painting (slide 2) and asked if it could be transformed into a watch dial, I knew it would be a challenge—yet one perfectly suited for the ancient Vietnamese lacquer art, Sơn Mài.This dial was meticulously hand-painted in our OAN.GIO workshop in Hanoi by our lacquer artisan, who patiently layered and polished the colors to capture the textures and depth of natural stone. Every brushstroke was guided by the desire to evoke movement and light, allowing the dial to shift in character depending on the angle.To heighten its brilliance, 18k gold powder was delicately blended into the lacquer, creating shimmering golden rivers that flow across the dial, bringing a unique vibrancy and a sense of living artistry to the piece.

Project Arabic Arabesque

This project began a few months ago, and although it faced unexpected delays, I’m thrilled that it’s finally complete—and even more pleased with how beautifully it turned out. The dial has been meticulously hand-engraved by our master artisan, and under a microscope, you can even see the brushstrokes of the black paint. I love when an artwork reveals the human hand behind it—those subtle imperfections that give it soul.The chapter ring features ancient Arabic calligraphy that reads:""I swear that death never misses a man. It is like a relaxed rope with ends tied to a man's hands. Whenever it wishes, it tugs him to his death. Whoever is bound to death is led by it"The movement echoes the dial’s pattern with matching hand-engraving throughout. We added our personal touch to the balance bridge and gave the wheels a refined snailing finish, completing the piece with character and care.

Project Tessera

Introducing "Tessera", a personal project of mine. This dial is using the “gratté boisé” technique. A method of decorating a watch dial that consists of creating fine scratches on a brass surface, simulating the appearance of cracked ice. This technique changes the way light is reflected, creating an effect of depth and texture.Gratté boisé is a form of decoration where the surface of a brass dial is scraped with a wooden tool, producing fine and irregular scratches.A tessera (plural: tesserae) is a small block or piece, usually of stone, glass, ceramic, or other material, that is used in the creation of a mosaic. Each tessera is one unit of the larger picture, like pixels in ancient art.

Project Shizuku Garden

The dial is entirely hand-engraved by our master engraver in Vietnam and constructed from three precisely machined layers. Each layer features a concentric engraving pattern, individually executed and carefully aligned to generate controlled depth and visual continuity, drawing inspiration from the raked stone compositions of traditional Japanese Zen gardens.The movement is finished by Ivan (@va.no130), a highly skilled independent artisan based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. This black rhodium–plated movement is produced in an ultra-limited run of just two pieces, each decorated by hand.This project is a deeply personal piece for me, and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Project Panda

Who doesnt love pandas? 😊This unique dial was entirely hand-engraved from solid metal by our master engraver in Vietnam. The scene is built through successive layers of carving, shaping volume and depth directly with burins — from the soft fur of the panda to the textured background that anchors the composition.Each bamboo leaf is individually sculpted in solid gold and hand-set into the dial, creating a subtle contrast between engraved steel and precious metal. No casting, no stamping — only hours of patient handwork, where every cut is final. The movement is also fully customized and hand decorated.A quiet moment, carved in time, created exclusively for its future owner.