Atelier Wen x Massena LAB Inflection Shuo: A Tantalum Masterpiece with Gold Dials

Introducing the Inflection Shuo

Atelier Wen's Inflection collection, launched in 2025, marked a significant evolution for the brand, showcasing a complex fully curved case, an integrated bracelet predominantly in tantalum, high-end dials, and a customized movement from Girard-Perregaux. For Geneva Watch Days 2026, Atelier Wen collaborates with New York-based Massena LAB to create a special edition named Shuo, meaning "sparkling" or "radiant," featuring elaborate solid-gold, hand-decorated dials.

Case and Design

The Inflection Shuo case measures 40mm in diameter with a compact 45mm lug-to-lug and a slim 10.2mm profile including the crystal. Tantalum is chosen for its dark bluish-grey hue, high density, and corrosion resistance, though it is notoriously challenging to machine and finish. The design intensifies this difficulty with its curved architecture, including a concave bezel, ridged mid-case, and smoothly integrated bracelet inspired by Chinese architectural forms. The White Gold version features a tantalum crown, while the Rose Gold version receives a solid rose gold crown. Both versions are equipped with double-domed sapphire crystals front and back, each with five layers of anti-reflective coating, and offer 100 meters of water resistance.

Dial Details

The Shuo dials are crafted by GT Cadrans in Switzerland and hand-finished by specialist engraver Coralie Mercier. The white gold base plate is decorated with hand tremblage, an engraving technique that creates an unpredictable sparkling texture, fitting the name Shuo. A radially brushed gold chapter ring sits atop the tremblage base, executed in white gold for one version and rose gold for the other. The California-style layout features custom Arabic numerals in the upper half and hand-calligraphed Chinese numerals in the lower sector, filled in blue to match the blued hands. The outer ring, also with hand tremblage, is framed by a finely engraved huiwen pattern, a classic Chinese decorative motif.

Movement and Performance

Powering the Inflection Shuo is a customized version of the Girard-Perregaux caliber GP03300. As with the standard Inflection, the movement has been extensively reworked, with bridges shaped around sweeping curves inspired by wind motifs in historical Chinese paintings. The dark grey ruthenium bridges with anglage feature laser-etched waved stripes radiating from the center. The custom rotor follows the same flowing theme and is plated in 5N rose gold. The self-winding caliber runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers approximately 48 hours of power reserve. It is adjusted to five positions and temperature and includes a hacking seconds mechanism.

Bracelet and Wearability

The watch is fitted with an integrated tantalum bracelet, featuring brushed external links and polished central links. It incorporates a patent-pending four-position on-the-fly micro-adjustment system, a telescopic deployant blade, and a quick-release mechanism for easy strap changes.

Limited Edition and Pricing

The Atelier Wen x Massena LAB Inflection Shuo is limited to 50 pieces. Ten White Gold dial models are reserved for established clients of either brand, while 40 Rose Gold editions are available to the public. Orders open on August 26, 2026, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027. The price is set at CHF 33,800, excluding taxes.

Technical Specifications

Case: 40mm diameter x 10.2mm thick, 45mm lug-to-lug – 99.9% pure tantalum with mixed concave and convex surfaces – double-domed sapphire crystal with five layers of AR coating – sapphire exhibition caseback with AR coating – screw-down crown in tantalum (White Gold version) or solid rose gold (Rose Gold version) – 100m water resistance
Dial: solid 18k white gold base plate – hand tremblage and hand-engraved numerals by Coralie Mercier for GT Cadrans – radially brushed hour sector in white or rose gold – California-inspired layout with custom Arabic and Chinese numerals – blue-filled numerals – engraved huiwen border – blued, tri-planed, voluminous leaf-shaped hands
Movement: customized Girard-Perregaux caliber GP03300 – automatic – 27 jewels – 28,800vph – ~48h power reserve – adjusted to five positions and temperature – hacking seconds – custom wind-inspired 5N rose gold-plated rotor
Bracelet: integrated tantalum bracelet – 22mm at case, tapering to 18mm at clasp – patent-pending four-position micro-adjustment – telescopic deployant blade – quick-release system
Availability: limited to 50 pieces – 10 White Gold dials for clients – 40 Rose Gold dials for public – orders from 26 August 2026 – deliveries from early 2027
Price: CHF 33,800 excluding taxes