The exquisite details on each watch not only showcase masterful craftsmanship but also embody the essence of Vietnamese culture. This is the dedication of Mr. Tran Ngoc Chien, who has devoted his passion to the art of watchmaking.
From a passion for metal engraving
At 9 a.m., in a small house in alley 126, Khuat Duy Tien Street, Nhan Chinh Ward (Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi ), Tran Ngoc Chien (born in 1989) meticulously carves each detail on the face of a high-end watch. Under a microscope, the sharp blade glides decisively, transforming the lifeless metal surface into a work of art bearing his unique mark. Vietnamese culture.
“Since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by drawing and creating. Without paper and pens, I used broken bricks and pieces of charcoal to draw all over the walls of my house. I also tinkered and made my own traditional folk toys such as crossbows, bows and arrows, kites… Those years not only honed my dexterity and meticulousness but also nurtured my love for painting,” Chiến shared while working.
Driven by that passion, in 2010, Chiến decided to pursue tattooing, even though it was a relatively new field in Vietnam at the time. Without guidance, he taught himself through books, newspapers, and the internet, diligently practicing each stroke and color. After eight years, he gradually established his skills, becoming a familiar name among tattoo artists in Hanoi.
“At that time, even though I had achieved some success in the tattooing profession, I still felt incomplete. The art of tattooing allowed me to satisfy my passion for creativity, but it was highly personal. Tattoos belong only to the owner; they cannot be exchanged or kept. Therefore, I began searching for a new direction, where each work of art could be shared, collected, or given as a gift to others,” Tran Ngoc Chien confided.
In late 2018, during a conversation with friends, he stumbled upon some exquisitely crafted watches. Curious, he researched them online and was immediately captivated by the meticulous craftsmanship of foreign artisans. Seeing the sharp lines created by skilled hands, he realized this was an art form with both artistic merit and lasting value that he had been searching for. Therefore, he decided to pursue this art.
Like his tattooing career, Tran Ngoc Chien started in watch engraving from scratch. Without a teacher or formal training, all his knowledge and skills came from self-study. He meticulously watched videos of foreign artisans, observing their engraving techniques and drawing on them for his own experience. Besides tattooing clients, he traveled throughout Hanoi, searching for materials to create tools to fuel his passion.
Having decided to change career paths when tattooing was providing a stable income, Chiến believes the greatest blessing is always receiving support from his family. Thanks to that, he confidently pursued his passion without hesitation when making his choice.
“When I first started learning the art of clock engraving, I intended to learn as I went along, mainly to satisfy my passion, and I would think about taking orders later. But unexpectedly, after completing a few products and posting them on social media groups, I got my first customers. By 2021, when my work gradually stabilized, I decided to quit tattooing completely and dedicate all my time to clock engraving,” Chiến shared.
After 7 years pursuing the craft, Mr. Chien is now one of the youngest but most experienced watch engravers, trusted and highly appreciated by many customers. From Vietnam, his works are gradually conquering the international market, appearing in countries such as Canada, the United States, Hong Kong (China), Malaysia, etc.
Mr. Chien shared that to engrave a watch, a craftsman not only needs skillful hands but also a thorough understanding of technical specifications and operating principles. For example, with a dial having an average diameter of 32mm and a thickness of 0.4mm, the diameter error must not exceed 2%, and the thickness error must not exceed 5%. If the dial is too thick, the watch hands may touch the glass or not fit properly, directly affecting the movement.
"Clock engraving requires a much higher degree of precision than ordinary metal engraving. Therefore, the craftsman must be meticulous, persistent, and constantly learn, innovate, and improve their techniques... in order to make a living from the profession," the engraver said.
Driven by the desire to incorporate Vietnamese culture into watches.
Tran Ngoc Chien's sculpted clocks impress not only with their exquisite craftsmanship but also with their profound connection to Vietnamese culture. From spiritual themes and human figures to folk symbols, each piece embodies tradition, recreating the historical, cultural, and artistic values of Vietnam on metal.
"As an engraver, I could follow popular trends with common motifs, but I want more than that. By incorporating distinctly Vietnamese patterns and images onto watch faces, I hope each of my works will contribute to preserving the national spirit and spreading love for my homeland," Chiến proudly stated.
With that aspiration, Mr. Chien subtly portrays Vietnamese culture through symbols deeply marked by history: the gracefully curving "Ly Dynasty Dragon," symbolizing prosperity, wisdom, and aspiration for greatness; the "Dong Son Bronze Drum" with its ancient patterns depicting scenes of daily life and festivals from millennia ago; and the majestic image of "Hung Dao Dai Vuong," representing the indomitable spirit of the nation. The landscapes of his homeland are also vividly present in each carving, from the ancient beauty of "Ngoc Son Temple" to the magnificent natural wonders of "Ha Long Bay" and "Hon Trong Mai" (Rooster and Hen Islet).
Carving is already a difficult craft, but carving cultural artifacts is even more challenging. For Tran Ngoc Chien, this is not just a technical problem but also a journey to rediscover the roots of the nation. “Before carving any motif or image, I always thoroughly research it through books and documents. For topics with limited documentation, I always ask experts and researchers to understand the essence, ensuring that every carving, however creative, retains the original spirit,” he affirms.
Researcher Tran Hau Yen The said: "Chien was one of the first people to bring Vietnamese culture onto watch faces. He often came to me to learn about the motifs." "Traditional culture, especially the mythical creature Nghê. What impressed me was that Chiến didn't just want to carve for aesthetic purposes, but genuinely cared about the meaning and spirit of each image. This is valuable, because not every young person has the perseverance and passion to explore the roots of culture like that."
Mr. Chien revealed that many foreign customers particularly love watches engraved with Vietnamese motifs. They often curiously ask him about the meaning of each design, from the Ly Dynasty dragon and the mythical creature Nghê to the patterns on the bronze drums and famous landmarks of the country. For him, introducing national culture and witnessing international friends appreciate each traditional detail is his greatest source of pride.
Each carved motif on the clock face not only showcases exquisite craftsmanship but also encapsulates age-old cultural values. For Mr. Chien, this is not simply a job, but a journey connecting the past with the present, preserving and spreading national identity in his own unique way. In the future, he says, he plans to bring the stories from Dong Ho folk paintings onto clock faces, bringing these folk motifs closer to modern life.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/chang-trai-tre-khac-hon-viet-len-dong-ho-5042437.html
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