The Kennin-ji Temple Masters Project by independent watch label Speake-Marin is a one-off horological masterpiece specially commissioned by a collector.
For this unique project, watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin enlisted the contributions of leather embosser Christophe Seewer, as well as engravers Kees Engelbarts and Eddy Jaquet.
As evident from the name, the inspiration for this special timepiece is the Kennin-ji Temple, a historic Zen Buddhist temple located in the city of Kyoto in Japan.
Founded in 1202, the Kennin-ji Temple is considered to be the oldest Zen temple in Japan, and the temple's founding abbot Eisai is credited with introducing the Zen philosophy to Japan.
To commemorate its 800th anniversary back in 2002, the Dharma Hall of the Hatto building was enhanced by a dramatic painting by artist Koizumi Junsaku, of two dragons "rampaging across the ceiling" as requested by the commissioning abbot.
It is this expansive artwork measuring 175 square meters that has now been encapsulated into a wristwatch, with twin dragons ornately engraved from the dial to the case and onto the surrounding presentation box.
The attention to detail on this piece is unparalleled: the original stepped bezel was redeveloped to have a rounder profile so that the dragons flow seamlessly from the dial, over the bezel and down the sides of the caseband.
Even the movement is also engraved and the leather lining of the presentation case is embossed with a similar dragon motif to the watch.
In all, the Kennin-ji Temple Project by Speake-Marin is truly a unique and monumental masterpiece.
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