"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprase; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."

— Revelation 21:18-21 (KJV)

Limited Pre-Order Event Page | Gothic Origin Watch "Dante’s Divine Comedy" - Paradiso Prologue

Paradiso Prologue Limited Pre-Order Event Summary

Welcome to the Bard's Whisper limited edition pre-sale event!

For those participating in a BW project for the first time, we understand your excitement and anticipation—perhaps even curiosity or hesitation. Let us briefly explain the event process.

Gothic Origin Watch Dante’s Divine Comedy - Paradiso Prologue

The production of this limited pre-order collection requires six months. The available editions are as follows:

• Standard Brass Edition: Limited to 48 pieces

• Micro-Painted Brass Edition (Forgotten): Limited to 4 pieces

• Pure Silver Painted Edition: Limited to 10 pieces

Three Important Things to Know Before the Event Starts

1. This is a limited pre-order event.
   Orders can be placed via credit card or bank transfer, just like purchasing from our official website.
   If you require installment payments, you may select the credit card installment option (available for SinoPac, Cathay, CTBC, E.SUN, KGI, Taishin, and Union Bank), or you may contact your issuing bank to arrange an installment plan.

   If choosing bank transfer, payment must be completed within 48 hours after placing the order. You must then send us the last five digits of your transaction ID. Orders not completed within the timeframe will be automatically canceled, and the item will be re-listed for others to purchase.

2. Due to the complexity of craftsmanship, we are only producing a limited quantity:

   • Brass Edition: 48 pieces in total

   • Micro-Painted Edition: 4 pieces in total

   • Pure Silver Painted Edition (Glory): 10 pieces available

3. Sales period:

   • Begins February 14, 2025, at 9:00 PM

   • Ends February 16, 2025, at 9:00 PM

   The first three days are exclusively reserved for those who have previously filled out our survey. If any pieces remain after this period, they will be made available to the general public.

🔒 The sales page will remain hidden until the launch date.

Paradiso Prologue Pre-Order Event Guidelines

📅 February 14, 2025
🕘 9:00 PM Taiwan Time (GMT+8)
🔓 Official Pre-Order Launch

Welcome to the Bard's Whisper limited edition pre-order event!

Important Notes for Completing Your Pre-Order:

• Once your pre-order is successfully placed, we will update the "Order Communication" section in your account with an estimated shipping date.

• (Since each piece is handcrafted, the actual completion date depends on the artisans, and the provided shipping timeline is for reference only.)

Sold Out? Don’t Worry!

If your preferred model sells out quickly, please stay calm! We will coordinate with our artists to determine if a second batch (limited to a few pieces) can be made available by the end of the year.

• This decision will be made within 30 minutes of the initial launch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1.The model I wanted is sold out! What should I do?

• Thank you for your support! If the first wave sells out, please wait for 30 minutes and refresh the page to see if a second batch is opened. (However, availability will be very limited.)

2.What if my credit card payment fails?

• If you're purchasing from Hong Kong or Macau, you might encounter a "3D authentication failure" due to cross-border transactions.

• Suggested solutions:

  • Have multiple credit cards ready or call your credit card issuer in advance to confirm 3D authentication and enable overseas transactions.

  • If you are unable to use a credit card, consider selecting bank transfer instead. (However, international wire transfers may involve currency conversion fees and processing charges, which buyers must cover.)

3.Why can’t I just buy the watch immediately?

• We understand your enthusiasm! However, each detail of this watch requires significant time and effort from multiple artisans.

• We also want this collection to maintain its artistic and competitive value, ensuring it remains a true collector’s piece.

4.Can I use discount codes or store credits for this purchase?

• Unfortunately, due to the high level of craftsmanship involved, and to respect the artisans’ work and earnings, discount codes cannot be applied to this project.

5.Will there be an in-person preview event before the sale?

• Due to the extremely limited quantity of this release, we will not hold a physical pre-sale showcase.

• If you wish to see more details, please join our Facebook group "Poet’s Hall", or visit our official page for updates and images.

6.Can I use interest-free installment payments?

• Yes! While installment payments are offered through our platform, the processing fees are charged by the payment provider, not us.

• If you need a zero-interest installment plan, please check if your credit card offers this option.

• Simply complete the purchase using your credit card, then call your credit card provider to apply for a zero-interest installment plan.

Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s epic poem The Divine Comedy, the Gothic Genesis Watch series serves as a medium of artistic expression.

We believe that culture-based creations truly highlight the value and spirit of art. As part of our artistic approach, each design is meticulously crafted after thorough research into medieval history, culture, and literature.

This project brought together over 20 Taiwanese artists and craftsmen, including scholars, artists, cultural experts, illustrators, engravers, engineers, metalworkers, watchmakers, 3D modelers, and animators. With a deep foundation in art and cultural heritage, we dedicated ourselves to every detail before unveiling this timepiece collection.

Our goal is to gradually elevate Taiwanese watchmaking craftsmanship to the global stage. Each watch in this series features handcrafted and artistically finished components, with dials hand-painted by skilled artisans, making them exceptionally rare. This is a handcrafted timepiece that embodies both artistic refinement and high collectible value.

After years of development and challenges, we have gradually mastered the limits of micro-casting and the control of its failure rate. This time, we are taking on the most difficult challenge—creating perfectly leveled designs.

Compared to CNC cutting, micro-casting is significantly more challenging for engraving on flat surfaces, with a failure rate of approximately 30%. A considerable amount of raw material has been discarded in the process, which is why the available quantity for pre-sale is extremely limited.

The watch features a unique hidden fluorescence design, which only becomes visible under ultraviolet (UV) light.

To capture Dante's exploration of another world in The Divine Comedy, the Bard's Whisper team specially invited renowned Taiwanese painting artist Zhao Jia-mi and the Green Leaf Creative Workshop to hand-paint the watch. Using their unique technique of "composite layering," they precisely calculated the invisible fluorescence pigment and the base paint to create a dual artistic presentation—one for "day" and another for "night."

Introduction & Unboxing | Gothic Origins Watch - "Paradiso"

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Spiritual Aura

This edition, created by international painting artist Chao Chia-Mi, is inspired by the artist's experiences abroad during her travels. It captures the beautiful moments she encountered, from the mist-wrapped mountains to the refreshing green hues of the morning in the hills. It evokes a sense of detachment from the mundane, liberating the mind and soul from all disturbances.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Pearl

This version, created by international painting artist Chao Chia-Mi, draws inspiration from her years living abroad. While strolling along the beach, she transformed the golden hues of a sunset into a creative process. The breathtaking scenery, reminiscent of pearls and the serene twilight atmosphere, evokes a sense of calmness and peace, offering a heavenly aura that brings tranquility to the soul.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Pure Fire

This version, created by international special painting artist Green Leaf Creation Workshop, draws inspiration from religious references. The design is based on a cross pattern with alternating red and white colors, complemented by golden embossed textures. The middle layer, in green, symbolizes judgment and truth, incorporating gem-like imagery. Under ultraviolet light, an octagonal star will shimmer, adding a radiant and mystical element to the piece.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Amethyst

This version, created by international special painting artist Green Leaf Creation Workshop, is inspired by glacier gemstones. In a pure, inorganic deep blue heaven, hidden beneath, lies a cool amethyst gem. Under ultraviolet light, the piece reveals shimmering frost-like glows, evoking a sense of serene isolation, away from the world.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Sanctuary

This version, created by international special painting artist Green Leaf Creation Workshop, is inspired by the ancient civilization style. It captures the mysterious, Central Asian-inspired atmosphere of heaven, with ornate gold-edged textures and the concept of emeralds symbolizing natural peace. Under ultraviolet light, it reveals a vibrant green gradient glow, radiating with life.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Brilliant

This version, created by international painting artist Zhao Jia-mi, is inspired by the color distribution and color schemes of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. Zhao, one of the few Taiwanese artists to graduate from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, brings her years of artistic training in Italy into full play in this piece. The sides of the sculptural figures feature carefully selected semi-precious stones, and after undergoing a complex "brass micro-casting" electroplating process, the watch face is hand-painted with intricate detail. The entire production process for the dial takes approximately 150-200 hours. This piece represents the highest level of watchmaking craftsmanship currently achievable in Taiwan.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Forgotten (No Fluorescent Effect)

This piece is a collaboration between BW and the brass artisan Seal, exploring an alternative version with a bold approach. The technique used resembles the colorization of moss, with a distressed and weathered painting style aimed at evoking the atmosphere and texture of ancient, forgotten buildings with a history spanning millennia. The creation process involves microscopic painting, a technique that takes a long time to complete, showcasing Seal's nearly thirty years of craftsmanship and expertise.

Dante's Divine Comedy: "Paradiso" Ver. - Glory

This piece showcases a unique painting technique developed by international artist Zhao Jiami. Starting with a miniature pure silver sculpture, gold leaf is applied, followed by Zhao's original antiquing technique to add depth and texture. The star-shaped central area is adorned with opal gemstones, which naturally shift colors under different lighting conditions. This creates an effect reminiscent of stained glass, evoking a sense of solemnity and grandeur.

The watch employs the ultimate micro-casting technique, achieving precision polishing at its maximum limits.

"Whispers of the Bard" represents the culmination of years of effort since the company's founding, overcoming issues with pure silver casting deformation and developing an exclusive micro-casting technology. This allows for the flawless integration of the sculpture into the watch face. Additionally, the watch uses precision 1mm screws for the movement lock, adhering strictly to classical craftsmanship processes, with no welding or other fixing methods used, aiming for perfection in every detail.

BW's Watchmaking Classroom Comic (Click on the image to view)

A True Artistic Masterpiece

Gothic Origins Watch "Divine Comedy" Eternal Art Project
"Craftsmanship/Art Collaboration Units Overview":

1. Sculpture/Animation Artist, Glass Craftmaster, Founder of Taiwan's Modeling Forum "GKANDMAKE":
   Mr. Jia Longxi (Overall Design Lead)

2. Taiwanese Painting Artist:
   Mr. Zhao Jiami

3. Senior Painting Art Unit "Green Leaf Creation Workshop":
   Mr. Green Leaf

4. Apple Daily Front Page Artist:
   Mr. Chen Yuan Zhi

5. Graphic Design and Art Director:
   Mr. Lin Shicheng, Mudu Design

6. Strap Production:
   Mr. Huang Shengxiang and Mr. Lin Xinliang, Chang'an Thirty Leather Workshop

7. Seabreeze Music and Visual Production

8. Coordination, Execution Planning, and Production:
   "The Whisper of Bards"

9. Dynamic Visuals:
   Mr. ZIV

10. Taiwanese Jewelry Craftsman, Brass Artist:
    Mr. SEAL

The Whisper of Bards has been receiving strong support from Taiwanese senior musician and guitarist Mr. Wu Liyun since our collaboration on Dante's Divine Comedy: Inferno Edition. This time, through his introduction, we are honored to have invited a member of Shin Band to wear a BW watch and participate in a photoshoot for promotional purposes, to encourage BW's efforts in the field of watchmaking art.

Local Heritage Craftsmanship
Inspired by Gothic architecture, the watch features typical Gothic pointed arches and stained glass motifs on the upper and lower lugs. The sides of the watch case are adorned with engravings symbolizing flower clusters and Gothic wood (scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus). The back cover is equipped with a "sapphire glass display caseback" and a "special electroplated pattern" in Gothic font, replicating the classical text style to interpret the ancient Gothic vibe.

The watch inherits the strong craftsmanship of a well-known Tainan-based old watch factory that once served as a Swiss OEM. The total weight of the watch, including the strap, is 180g. While it is slightly heavier than regular mechanical watches, the specially designed handmade leather strap with a pressure-relief structure evenly distributes the weight across both sides of the wrist, ensuring comfort even after long hours of wear.

Challenging Biomimetic Metal Expression
This ultra-thin double-layer dial was designed by veteran Taiwanese model artist, Mr. Jia Longqi, with over 30 years of industry expertise. He took on the crucial task of creating a deep sense of distance within a 3mm dial. This design challenges the limits of micro-casting techniques, pushing the boundaries of intricate craftsmanship and artistic expression.

A One-of-a-Kind Masterpiece
This piece, Dante's Divine Comedy, specially invites artisan artists to participate in the hand-painting and refined craftsmanship. After the creation is completed, the back of the watch face is signed by the artist, making each watch truly unique.

Stable and Reliable
The Swiss Sellita movement brand was originally one of the top three manufacturers for ETA. In recent years, it has been increasingly adopted by many leading brands for its quality.

For this project, Dante's Divine Comedy Series by Goth Origin Watches, the model used is the Sellita SW200 basic automatic movement, which is known for its durability and reliability, making it the trusted choice for the Bards' Whisper team in this project.

Exquisite Craftsmanship from Kaohsiung
In collaboration with the leather artisans from Kaohsiung, Changan San Shi, a new pressure-relief watch strap has been developed over the course of a year.

Building upon the "Saint George and the Dragon" project, a specially designed "quick-release watch strap" has been created. Its thickness, feel, and fit are on par with international luxury brands, all handcrafted in Kaohsiung.

Highly Collectible
The watch is housed in a handcrafted wooden box with excellent protective qualities, complemented by a leather carrying case. Hidden beneath is a commemorative coin of great value.

As the supporters of bardswhispe are spread across the globe, we have opted for the safest shipping and protective packaging—handcrafted open-lid boxes. Since the Dante's Divine Comedy Series is a limited edition, each watch comes with a commemorative coin made of either brass or sterling silver.

Introduction

The crown can be rotated to pop out the stem, and a gentle clockwise turn will wind the movement (or the movement will wind automatically with the motion of your arm while wearing the watch).
Pull the crown slightly to enter the time-setting function, and you can rotate it clockwise to adjust the time.
Once you have finished adjusting the time, press the crown back to its original position and lightly push it into the case to lock it securely. (Always make sure to lock the crown to maintain the watch's water resistance.)

Q: How should I handle future maintenance of the watch? Does the movement need servicing?
A: Our watch factory is located in Taiwan, and we will be responsible for any movement failures within one year, including repair or replacement. The watch uses the reliable and durable Swiss SW200 automatic movement, which is easy to maintain. A general service, such as an oil wash at a watch repair shop, is recommended every 3 to 5 years.

This model is a fine European-style automatic mechanical watch, so please avoid using it under the following conditions:

• Sports activities

• Swimming

• Showering

• Exposure to fire or steam

• Severe shocks (such as riding a bike)

For watch repairs or product inquiries:

• Please send a private message to our Facebook fan page: "吟遊詩人的呢喃(流浪)"

• Email us at: bardswhisper@gmail.com

• Leave a message on our official website: bardswhisper.com