Inside The Watch Ho & Co. x Selten Yum Cha And Its Handcrafted Enamel Dial
Watch Ho & Co. has joined forces once again with Selten for a highly artisanal limited-edition timepiece inspired by one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable cultural traditions. Created to mark Watch Ho & Co(mmunity)’s third anniversary, the Yum Cha takes its design cues from the traditional tea houses and dim sum culture that played an important role in founder Jackie Ho’s childhood.
Rather than simply referencing the visual identity of Hong Kong, the collaboration incorporates traditional materials, craftsmanship and personal details throughout the watch, from its intricately engraved enamel dial to the illustrated caseback.
A Compact Stainless Steel Case
The Yum Cha is housed in a 38 mm stainless steel case, giving the watch relatively compact proportions suited to a wide range of wrists. Its thickness is 9.95 mm, or 8.35 mm when measured without the crystal, while the lug-to-lug distance is 44.50 mm.
A box-shaped sapphire crystal sits above the dial and is treated with anti-reflective coating to improve legibility while complementing the watch’s vintage-inspired aesthetic. The case is water resistant to 50 metres.
Turning the watch over reveals one of its most personal elements. The solid stainless steel caseback features an original illustration by artist @onehourwatch depicting a young Jackie Ho enjoying a Yum Cha meal with his grandparents.
The caseback also incorporates a restaurant table marker that can be personalised through engraving. Owners can therefore add a meaningful number, giving each example an additional connection to its wearer.
A Dial Inspired by Bamboo Steamers
The most elaborate element of the Yum Cha is undoubtedly its dial, which takes inspiration from the woven bamboo steamers traditionally used to serve dim sum.
The process begins with a silver dial blank that is individually engraved by Selten’s master engraver and enamel specialist, Qin. The surface is divided into roughly 80 sections, with each area receiving numerous precisely cut, polished lines. The cuts vary in direction and depth to reproduce the overlapping appearance of woven bamboo.
The engraved dial then undergoes an extensive Grand Feu enamel process. Multiple layers of transparent enamel are individually fired at temperatures of approximately 800°C, with at least eight firing cycles required before the dial is finally polished by hand.
Around 16.5 hours of work are invested into each dial, while the demanding production process results in a rejection rate of more than 40%.
The finished surface is presented in a Fumé Amber colour, moving from a lighter honey-gold tone at the centre to smoky brown around the perimeter. The combination of translucent enamel and hand engraving causes the bamboo-inspired pattern to change dramatically depending on the angle of the light, alternating between bright reflections and deeper shadows.
Completing the theme are the distinctive hands, whose silhouettes are shaped like tea leaves.
Hand-Wound Sellita Movement
Inside the case is the manually wound Sellita SW210-2 M Power+. The movement provides an extended 65-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to remain running for almost three days when fully wound.
The movement is adjusted in five positions and is specified to achieve an accuracy of approximately ±6 seconds per day.
The manually wound architecture also suits the character of the Yum Cha, reinforcing its traditional, mechanical approach while allowing the decorated dial to remain the visual centrepiece.
Bamboo Steamer Presentation
The Hong Kong tea-house theme continues beyond the watch itself. The Yum Cha is paired with a tan Italian nubuck leather strap handmade by HasNoBounds and secured with a traditional pin buckle.
Each watch is presented inside an authentic handcrafted bamboo steamer basket and accompanied by three bamboo coasters. Even the warranty card has been designed to resemble the red dim sum order cards commonly found in Hong Kong tea houses.
Limited to just 100 pieces, the Watch Ho & Co. x Selten Yum Cha combines hand engraving, Grand Feu enamel and traditional-inspired design with a deeply personal connection to Hong Kong culture.
The Watch Ho & Co. x Selten Yum Cha is priced at USD 4,950.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Watch Ho. & Co(mmunity) x Selten
Model: Yum Cha
Dial: Fumé Amber enamel on silver base with hand-engraved bamboo pattern
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 38 mm Diameter, 9.95 mm thickness, 44.50 mm lug-to-lug
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50 Meters
Strap: Hand-stitched Italian nubuck leather strap with steel pin buckle
Calibre: Sellita SW210-2 M Power+
Functions: Hours, minutes
Winding: Hand-wound
Power Reserve: 65 Hours
Price: USD 4,950
Limited Edition: Yes, 100 pieces
Availability: Now