Atelier Mephalie Launches Minute Repeater Collection
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Atelier Mephalie launches its first Minute Repeater Collection
Atelier Mephalie has launched its first watch collection, a Minute Repeater Collection, with three watches, according to Monochrome. Monochrome reports that the press release announcement describes the watches as built around a hand-wound minute-repeater calibre designed, developed, and produced in the atelier’s own workshop.
Lin Xiaolin leads the atelier and its specialist team
Atelier Mephalie is led by Lin Xiaolin, Monochrome reports. Lin joined the watch industry in 2011 and has 15 years working in watch manufacturing. He is also behind the brand Lucky Harvey. For Atelier Mephalie, Lin assembled a team of watchmakers and repair specialists, as well as specialists in movement architecture and precision machining.
The 218-watch run
Monochrome reports that the movement’s development program was intended to support repeatable production rather than a single movement. Development lasted over five years and involved successive rounds of acoustic, mechanical, and production testing. The inaugural series consists of 218 watches, which Monochrome says accounts for the atelier’s full production capacity of the year. A background explainer on what counts as a watch complication is available on this site.
European minute repeaters and Chinese tourbillons in context
Monochrome reports that buyers will not find much under EUR 150,000 among new minute repeater watches. Examples include the Gérald Genta Geneva Minute Repeater at about CHF 320,000, the Piaget Polo Minute Repeater at about EUR 400,000, and the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater 37mm at EUR 195,000. In Chinese watchmaking more broadly, Monochrome notes that Chinese tourbillons sit well under the 10k mark, and Peacock has launched a product it claims is the world’s smallest and lightest triple-axis tourbillon. For a longer view of the sector, see the site’s Chinese watchmaking history. Readers can also test their watch knowledge in the Watchdle game.
FAQ
Who founded Mephalie, and in what year?
Mephalie was founded in 1876 by Sun Tingyuan, according to Monochrome.
What did Sun Meitang open in 1915, and what happened to the Mephalie factory?
Sun Meitang opened a clock factory in Shanghai in 1915, bringing mechanised production to traditional clockmaking while keeping Chinese decorative crafts alive. The Mephalie factory was destroyed in 1932.
What production capacity does Atelier Mephalie claim?
Atelier Mephalie claims production capacity of over 200 movements a year.
