Vietnamese lacquer painting – called "sơn mài” – is a young craft. It only started in the 1930's under the influence of the “L’ Ecole des Beaux Art” in Hanoi, founded by French artists, influenced by Western modern art. However the Lacquer technique is ancient, and goes back 8000 years in China and Persia. The sort of coloured and polished lacquer used today is based on a milky sap from lacquer trees, was found in China about 3500 years ago.

1 6

Celestial Sea

Celestial Sea

$1,890.00 USD
$1,890.00 USD
Sale Sold out
  • 2 years guarantee
  • Free express insured shipping
  • Made to order
View full details
1/4

Technical specifications

Case

▪ 316L Stainless Steel, mirror polished and brushed
▪ Diameter 40mm
▪ Height 10.7mm
▪ Lug to lug 45.9mm
▪ Screwed base open case back
▪ Water resistant up to 5 ATM

Glass

Sapphire "Chevé Box" crystal with 3 layers anti-reflective coating.

Dial

The dial is made from 15 layers of natural tree lacquer and mother of pearl fragments.

Hands

▪ Central Hour Hand,
▪ Central Minute Hand
▪ Hunter Small Seconds Hand
▪ Small Seconds Hand at 6:00
▪ Full dome polished hands

Strap

▪ 20mm/18mm. Handmade "Pueblo" Italian leather strap with quick release curved spring bars and OAN.GIO logo stamped on the back sides.
▪ Original design deployant spring buckle, made in 316L Stainless Steel with polished and brushed decorations.

Vietnamese Lacquer Tree

Natural lacquer is the purified sap of the lacquer tree. The scientific name of the tree used in Vietnam is Rhus Succedanea (ToxicodendronSuccedanea). It is native to Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan. The sap of this tree contains a resin, which when exposed to moisture and air, polymerizes and becomes a very hard, durable, plastic-like substance. Lacquer is, in fact, a natural plastic. In Vietnam, there are lacquer tree plantations in Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang  where the sap is still collected. Once planted lacquer can be collected for about 10 to 15 years.

Due to the handcrafted nature of the process, each dial is a unique and one of a kind.

18 months of development

From crafting the base dial to applying the first layer of lacquer, the process involves an average of 15 layers, each requiring meticulous steps such as lining, water sanding, coloring, and color sanding. Additional artistic techniques like eggshell inlay, engraving, hand painting, and gold or silver leaf gilding may be incorporated depending on the complexity and design. These repetitive steps, combined with specialized craftsmanship, ensure the depth, texture, and vibrancy of the final piece. It tooks use 18 months to perfect that process.

Vibrant "Raden" style

The Celestial Sea dial draws its inspiration from the mesmerizing hues found in deep-sea creatures, capturing their mystery and vibrancy. The intricate texture, reminiscent of the traditional Japanese Raden Maki-E technique, evokes a sense of timeless artistry. As light dances across the dial, the vivid, iridescent colors shift and shimmer, revealing a breathtaking spectacle from every angle—like gazing into the enchanted depths of the ocean. Each glance brings a new appreciation for the beauty that lies beneath the surface, making this dial a true celebration of nature’s wonders.

Made and assembled in Switzerland

  • Family : ETA Unitas 6498-2
  • Diameter 36.60 mm (16.5 ligne)
  • Height 4.5 mm - 17 jewels
  • Rate: 21’600 vibrations per hour
  • Power reserve 48/50 hours
  • Tested in five positions within +/- 6 seconds.
  • Bridges are finished with Geneva stripes and jewel sinks.
  • Mirror polished blued screws and winding click system
  • Sunburst finish on crown wheel and rachet wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you pre-order our watch, please read the following informations

Availability & Deliveries

The first batch of this model is limited to 5 pieces.

Expected delivery should start January 2025. We ship the watch fully insured with Express Courier (DHL, UPS or Fedex). The shipping cost is included in the price of the watch

Pre-orders

To secure your watch, a 50% deposit is required, confirming your commitment to the order. Please keep in mind that each piece is made to order, making the deposit non-refundable.

As soon as your deposit is executed, we will send you your advance payment receipt and an order confirmation.

One week before the delivery of your timepiece, we will send you your final invoice and ask you to proceed with the balance payment. 

All orders made through our Direct Sales Chanel that have been manufactured but not been fully paid and / or collected 2 months after the manufacturing date can be sold to another customer. No refund can then be claimed.

Prices, Taxes & Duties

Please note that all prices stated herein are in US dollars.

Prices on our website do not include VAT.

For orders outside HK, local VAT and import duties may still apply. These fees depend on the destination country. Typically, FedEx or DHL handles this process with a brokerage fee to cover any necessary import duties. As with taxes and VAT, import fees are the responsibility of the customer.

Exchanges & Repairs (Warranty)

All items are thoroughly inspected by watchmakers before they leave the factory for shipping. In the unlikely event that your item arrives damaged during transit, you may be eligible for a one-to-one exchange. Eligibility for exchange shall be on a case-by-case basis and only after your return is received and inspected. We will notify you of the approval or rejection of your exchange.

If you are approved, a new watch (if stock is available) shall be shipped to you without charge. If stock is unavailable, we will offer either a replacement of the affected part(s), a repair, or a refund.

We only repair or replace items if they are defective or damaged in transit. You will need to send pictures of the exterior of the shipping package in its entirety to help in your claim. You will be requested to take a picture of your warranty card to ensure the information tallies with your original order details as well. From there, we will make the necessary arrangements.

Please note that repairs may take up to 2-3 months depending on the condition of the watch. If you are uncomfortable with the waiting time, do consider before sending your watch back to the repair center.

Returns and Refunds

Given the custom nature of our products, refunds shall not be entertained. Orders not fully settled within a period of three days shall be subject to cancellation.