Arsenale Sumi-e 墨絵
Arsenale Sumi-e was born from the same spirit of exploration that guided Venice for centuries along the Silk Road. Just as spices, silks, and ideas once traveled from East to West, this creation weaves together two worlds united by craftsmanship and the pursuit of harmony. The dial, made from genuine Washi paper, is crafted through a five-step pad-printing process that captures the delicacy of ink and its subtle gradients on paper, giving life to a poetic landscape suspended in time.
Limited Edition: 500 pcs
Price: 1050$
Sumi-e was introduced to Japan in the mid-14th century, spreading through Zen monasteries as both an artistic and spiritual practice. Painting thus became a form of meditation, capable of expressing the essence of the subject through just a few essential strokes. Over time, Sumi-e established itself as one of the most representative arts of Japanese culture, preserving its symbolic value and finding expression not only in painting, but also in calligraphy and decorative art.
The technique is based on the use of black ink (sumi) applied with brushes of different sizes onto washi paper, a traditional Japanese medium known for its strength and natural texture. By varying pressure and the amount of water, the artist achieves tonal gradations that create contrasts between solid and empty spaces, giving depth and movement to the composition. Each stroke is final and allows no correction: the power of Sumi-e lies precisely in this essentiality, which demands both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity.
Sumi-e was introduced to Japan in the mid-14th century, spreading through Zen monasteries as both an artistic and spiritual practice. Painting thus became a form of meditation, capable of expressing the essence of the subject through just a few essential strokes. Over time, Sumi-e established itself as one of the most representative arts of Japanese culture, preserving its symbolic value and finding expression not only in painting, but also in calligraphy and decorative art.
The technique is based on the use of black ink (sumi) applied with brushes of different sizes onto washi paper, a traditional Japanese medium known for its strength and natural texture. By varying pressure and the amount of water, the artist achieves tonal gradations that create contrasts between solid and empty spaces, giving depth and movement to the composition. Each stroke is final and allows no correction: the power of Sumi-e lies precisely in this essentiality, which demands both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity.
The miniaturization of the Sumi-e technique
Reproducing the complexity of the Sumi-e stroke on such a small scale required a work of absolute precision. Each stage of the pad-printing process applies the ink with millimetric control, respecting the texture and natural irregularities of the Washi paper. Layer by layer, the design takes shape, revealing the complete image with the same shades and contrasts as the original artwork.
Technical details
Ø40 mm, lug-to-lug 44 mm, total thickness 9.95 mm
316L Stainless Steel
Crafted on Japanese Washi paper through a five-step pad-printing process
Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Miyota 9039, automatic, 3-hands, no date
Swiss-Made BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
Screwed
Engraved, fixed with six screws
Symbolism and Harmony
On the caseback, the Japanese characters 墨絵 (Sumi-e) are engraved, identifying the painting technique that inspired the model. Around them, an engraved motif evokes ink dissolving in water — a symbol of balance and harmony between gesture and material. The fluid lines and depth of the engravings create a dynamic, vibrant effect, recalling the movement of the brush across the paper. At the bottom appears the progressive numbering from 1 to 500, highlighting the uniqueness of each piece.
Arsenale Sumi-e 墨絵 is born from the encounter between two traditions that share the same vision of harmony. The satin-finished steel case, rigorous and proportioned, interacts with the Washi paper dial, whose natural texture captures light like a stroke of ink on water. Each element is the result of precise gestures — of hands that translate different sensibilities into a single expression of balance. Wearing it means taking part in this pursuit, carrying on the wrist an object that unites distant cultures through a shared devotion to beauty and craftsmanship.
To accompany the watch, a dedicated box has been created that reflects the visual language of the dial, extending the project’s aesthetic beyond the object itself. The surface is decorated with a motif inspired by the original design, reproduced in high definition to preserve the shades and contrasts typical of the Sumi-e technique. On the underside, a short inscription in English and Japanese tells the story behind the concept and the dialogue between art, culture, and technique that guided its development.
Arsenale Sumi-e 墨絵 is born from the encounter between two traditions that share the same vision of harmony. The satin-finished steel case, rigorous and proportioned, interacts with the Washi paper dial, whose natural texture captures light like a stroke of ink on water. Each element is the result of precise gestures — of hands that translate different sensibilities into a single expression of balance. Wearing it means taking part in this pursuit, carrying on the wrist an object that unites distant cultures through a shared devotion to beauty and craftsmanship.
To accompany the watch, a dedicated box has been created that reflects the visual language of the dial, extending the project’s aesthetic beyond the object itself. The surface is decorated with a motif inspired by the original design, reproduced in high definition to preserve the shades and contrasts typical of the Sumi-e technique. On the underside, a short inscription in English and Japanese tells the story behind the concept and the dialogue between art, culture, and technique that guided its development.
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Arsenale Sumi-e embodies the spirit of exploration that once guided Venice along the Silk Road, where East and West exchanged beauty, ideas, and craft. Its dial, made from genuine Washi paper, captures the fluid grace of ink through a meticulous five-step printing process, transforming time itself into a poetic landscape.
Limited Edition: 500 pcs
Price: 1050$
