Venezianico Nereide GMT - Xi'an 西安 Limited Edition

Path of the East – A Tribute to the Silk Road

The Path of the East is a limited edition of 500 pieces that celebrates the cultural exchange along the historic Silk Road. It creates a poetic dialogue between Venice and the East, inspired by Xi’an, the starting point of this millennia-old network of trade and cultural routes. The watch combines history, symbolism, and contemporary watchmaking to form an exceptional narrative composition.

Dial – Symbolism and Craftsmanship

At its heart is the hand-assembled dial made of red mother-of-pearl, crafted using an intricate mosaic technique. The design interprets the traditional cloud motif, a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and positive omens in Chinese culture. The organized rhythm of the pattern recalls imperial decorations, while gold-colored indices and Chinese numerals in ideogram form evoke the visual language of the ancient imperial city of Xi’an.

The natural iridescence of the mother-of-pearl, combined with its warm red tones, gives each dial a unique character. Subtle color nuances change depending on the light – each piece is one-of-a-kind.

Handcrafted – Made Piece by Piece

The production of the dial is a completely manual process. The mother-of-pearl is carefully selected, cut into small fragments inspired by the cloud motif, and individually applied to a brass base. Step by step, a precise and harmonious composition is created, reflecting the highest level of craftsmanship and emphasizing the uniqueness of each timepiece.

A Tribute to Xi’an

The design concept of this edition is the result of an intensive exploration of Xi’an's cultural symbols. The cloud motif on the dial is complemented by an engraved depiction of the Terracotta Army on the case back. These world-famous warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site and testament to imperial power, appear here as modern "guardians" of the watch. Each engraving is complemented by sequential numbering from 1 to 500, emphasizing the limited nature of each piece.

The bezel with Chinese characters completes the design, translating traditional iconography into a contemporary visual language – a symbol of the ongoing dialogue between East and West.

Case, Glass & Proportions

The case is made of 316L stainless steel and measures 39 millimeters in diameter, with a lug-to-lug length of 45.5 millimeters and an overall height of 11.9 millimeters. The dial is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, ensuring clear readability.

The bezel features a polished BK7 crystal insert, characterized by high optical clarity and low dispersion. With a water resistance of 10 atmospheres (100 meters), the watch is also ideally suited for everyday wear.

Movement – Modern Functionality

Inside, the Miyota 9075 automatic movement operates, a reliable caliber with a Traveler GMT function and date display. This construction allows for independent adjustment of the hour hand when traveling, making the watch a functional companion across time zones. BGW9 Super-LumiNova® from Switzerland ensures optimal readability in the dark.

The Silk Road – Origin of Inspiration

The Silk Road emerged during the Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BC as a vast network of trade and cultural connections between China and the Mediterranean region. While Xi’an formed the eastern center, Venice developed into one of the most important western hubs. Along these routes, goods, ideas, and knowledge traveled – establishing one of the most enduring intercultural dialogues in history, which continues to inspire to this day.

Limited Edition & Presentation

The Path of the East comes in a specially designed presentation box, understood as a natural extension of the concept. The deep red surface is adorned with golden ideograms displaying both the ancient name Hao (镐) and the modern name Xi’an (西安). The surrounding cloud motif echoes the dial's design, creating visual continuity that impressively underlines the character of this limited edition.

Specifications

• CASE
• Ø39 mm, lug to lug 45.5 mm, overall thickness 11.90 mm
• MOVEMENT
• Automatic movement Cal. Miyota 9075, Traveler GMT with date display
• MATERIAL
• 316L stainless steel
• DIAL
• Mother-of-pearl mosaic, cloud decoration
• GLASS
• Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• INSERT
• BK7 crystal, polished and durable with high optical clarity and low dispersion (Abbe ~60)
• LUMINOUS MATERIAL
• Swiss-Made BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
• WATER RESISTANCE
• 10 atmospheres (100 m/338 ft)