Celadon HH is the high-horology line of Celadon, distinct from the brand’s Maison Celadon everyday watches. Its Century family brings together Chinese cultural imagery, cloisonné enamel dials and bespoke mechanical movements made by independent watchmaker Lin Yong Hua. The collection is offered in cloisonné, regulator and jumping-hour variants, with movement, finishing and dial choices that can vary by configuration.
What is Celadon HH?
Celadon dates its founding to 2012 and was founded by Benjamin Chee. The brand distinguishes Celadon Haute Horlogerie (HH), its high-horology line, from Maison Celadon, which it describes as the home of its stylish everyday watches. CNA likewise describes the business as having HH and CL lines. Chee told CNA: “I was producing watches in China and labelling them as Chinese. Everyone thought I was crazy,” reflecting the challenge he saw in establishing that identity.
Celadon presents HH as a contribution to Chinese haute horology; that is the brand’s positioning, not a consensus definition of Chinese watchmaking. Its approach is most tangible in the Century collection, where complications and hand-finished movements meet enamel work and imagery chosen by the brand.
What makes the Century collection distinctive?
Three complications, with configuration choices
The official Century page lists three variants: Cloisonné, Regulator and Jump Hour. The names describe different watch configurations rather than three movement grades. Celadon’s Dragon and Phoenix model, for example, is offered with either the CH1 or CH5 movement; hands and movement finish may also be customized. These choices are options described by the brand and should not be assumed to come standard with every watch.
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#1 Best Overall
- Seagull ST1901 Movement: Official exclusive 3A level ST1901 movement, ensuring precise timekeeping and reliability. Aviation Chronograph
- Retro Chronograph Design: Features a retro chronograph design, reminiscent of the 1963 Seagull pilot watch, with a functional stopwatch
- 30m Water Resistance: With a 30m water resistance, this watch is suitable for everyday wear and splashes of water
- Comfortable & Stylish: Comes with a durable leather strap, offering both comfort and a rugged aesthetic for everyday wear
- Durable Construction: Crafted with 316L stainless steel case, mineral glass crystal, and 30m water resistance, built to withstand daily wear
Cloisonné enamel and cultural imagery
Celadon describes its Dragon and Phoenix dial as monochromatic cloisonné enamel worked with hand-applied gold wire. It also offers a Ming blue-and-white palette as an alternative. The brand explains the classical dragon-and-phoenix pairing as a flying dragon and dancing phoenix representing the Emperor and Empress, respectively. That interpretation belongs to Celadon’s description of the design.
Fratello’s hands-on review of the Duo of Swallows variant describes a bird-and-flower scene on its cloisonné dial and identifies the watch’s distinctive hands as peacock-tail hands with open circular tips. Those are the reviewer’s descriptions of that particular model.
Rank #2
- Seagull ST1901 Movement: Official exclusive 3A level ST1901 movement, ensuring precise timekeeping and reliability. Aviation Chronograph
- Retro Chronograph Design: Features a retro chronograph design, reminiscent of the 1963 Seagull pilot watch, with a functional stopwatch
- 30m Water Resistance: With a 30m water resistance, this watch is suitable for everyday wear and splashes of water
- Comfortable & Stylish: Comes with a durable leather strap, offering both comfort and a rugged aesthetic for everyday wear
- Durable Construction: Crafted with 316L stainless steel case, mineral glass crystal, and 30m water resistance, built to withstand daily wear
Yuanman expressed through form
Celadon says the Century collection draws on yuanman, which it translates as “perfection and fulfilment” and associates with roundness, reunion, satisfaction and abundance. The brand connects that idea to the watches’ rounded forms and curves. It also contrasts its stated Chinese high-horology aesthetic with traditional Swiss and German movement design; this is the company’s own framing, not a neutral account of those traditions.
Who makes the movements, and what do CH1 and CH5 offer?
Independent Chinese watchmaker Lin Yong Hua makes movements for Celadon HH. Tatler says he designs, creates, assembles and finishes them; CNA reports that Celadon HH watches are produced entirely by Lin. The CH5 was designed, created and finished by Lin for the brand.
Rank #3
- RACING-INSPIRED DUAL-LAYER DIAL—— Inspired by racing dashboards, the bold dual-layer dial delivers depth and clarity, featuring applied hour markers and a CD-textured chronograph subdial for easy reading in everyday wear.
- HAND-WOUND MECHANICAL CHRONOGRAPH—— Powered by the ST19 hand-wound chronograph movement. This mechanical watch does not use a battery—manual winding is required for normal operation and precise timing.
- DAILY MANUAL WINDING RITUAL—— To keep the watch running, gently rotate the crown clockwise about 15–20 turns each day. When resistance is felt, winding is complete—an engaging, hands-on mechanical experience.
- FUNCTIONAL CHRONOGRAPH WITH TACHYMETER—— Equipped with a mechanical chronograph and tachymeter scale for measuring speed over distance, inspired by classic motorsport instrumentation.
- COMFORTABLE FIT & EASY STRAP SWITCHING—— 40 mm case diameter with a 12.4 mm thickness offers balanced wrist presence. Lug width is 20 mm, paired with quick-release straps (120 + 80 mm) for easy daily switching between styles.
Celadon’s CH5 description highlights black polishing, Chinese scroll stripes, heated screws, gold chatons, hand-beveling and phoenix-inspired bridges and balance cock. These finishing details are part of the brand’s account of the movement.
Fratello’s hands-on coverage reports that both CH1 and CH5 are manual-winding movements running at 18,000 vibrations per hour, with a 45-hour power reserve. The official Century page lists both calibres across variants, but the reviewed sources do not establish a complete technical specification comparison between CH1 and CH5. The supported distinction is therefore in the configurations and finishing described for particular watches, not a broader claim that one calibre is categorically superior.
Rank #4
- Movement: Seagull ST1612
- Case Diameter: Approx. 43mm
- Case Thickness: Approx. 13mm
- Strap Width: Approx. 24mm
- Winding Mode: Automatic Winding
How much does a Celadon HH Century cost?
Celadon’s official Century page displays the following prices in US dollars. These are the listed prices on the page, not a guarantee of current availability or a final quote; Celadon also says payment can be made in USD or SGD. Confirm the selected specification and price directly with the brand before purchase.
| Century variant | CH1 displayed price | CH5 displayed price |
|---|---|---|
| Cloisonné | US$18,900 | US$29,900 |
| Regulator | US$18,900 | US$29,900 |
| Jump Hour | US$23,900 | US$34,900 |
The same page lists paid options, including a Breguet overcoil, handmade hands with customized bluing or purpling, a bespoke dial, and a Calibre 4414 Jump Hour. The displayed figures above should not be treated as including any such option unless Celadon confirms that for the chosen watch.
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- Classic retro aesthetics · 24-hour indication: The retro design is inspired by the classic era. The dial integrates day and night display windows, Roman numerals and polished hands, and interprets an elegant mechanical texture. The 9-point week display, 3-point month display, and clear calendar window layout between 4 and 5 o'clock, and the 6-point 24-hour indicator window add practical fun to meet the visual needs of detail control.
- Seagull ST1654 automatic movement: Equipped with Seagull ST1654 automatic winding movement, no manual winding is required, and it can be continuously powered for daily wear. The sapphire glass watch is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, with strong light transmittance, and 30 meters of daily waterproof (rainproof/hand washing splash), which meets the reliability of daily wear.
- Multi-function calendar system: Integrated with three practical functions of week, month, and calendar, the dial layout is simple and easy to read. Business trips, daily commuting or travel scenes can quickly obtain time information, showing an efficient attitude towards life.
- 316L stainless steel: The 316L stainless steel case is polished and has a long-lasting luster and is corrosion-resistant; it is paired with a retro nylon strap and pin buckle design, which is breathable and fits the wrist. The case is of moderate thickness, and the 40mm diameter is suitable for most male wrists, taking into account the mechanical feel and wearing comfort.
- Retro design: The combination of retro design and modern functions is suitable for business formal wear, casual wear or collection scenes. The gift box packaging contains a warranty card and a user guide, and provides 24-hour customer service support, which can be used for personal use to show your taste
CNA’s profile reported a starting price of US$15,000. That is a dated figure from the profile, not a current quote; the official page’s model- and movement-specific displayed prices are the more useful reference for comparing Century configurations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare Century configurations
Start with the complication, then compare the movement and the specific craft or finishing options offered for that piece. Since customization and availability can vary, ask Celadon to confirm the final specification in writing alongside the current price.
Quick Recap
- Complication: choose among Cloisonné, Regulator and Jump Hour.
- Movement: compare CH1 and CH5 configurations, while recognizing that the available sources do not establish a full technical superiority comparison.
- Dial: confirm the enamel design and palette for the exact watch; Dragon and Phoenix, for example, is described with monochromatic gold-wire cloisonné and an optional Ming blue-and-white palette.
- Finishing and hands: check whether customized hands, movement finishing or other paid options are included or separately priced.
- Price and availability: verify both against the exact model and options, as displayed pricing can change.
Sources
- Celadon official homepage
- Celadon Century Regulator product page
- Celadon Century Dragon and Phoenix product page
- Fratello Watches hands-on review
- CNA profile of Benjamin Chee
- Tatler Asia profile
- IndependentWatchmaking.com profile of Lin Yong Hua
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
