Product Specifications
45mm case diameter with Madonna sculpture
Swiss-made SW200 automatic movement
Sapphire crystal (front / exhibition case back)
316L stainless steel case
30m water resistance (suitable for daily use)
1-year warranty
Includes special brass commemorative coin
Product Concept
Roland Barthes, inspired by Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther, created A Lover’s Discourse; Bard’s Whisper pays tribute to Roger Dubuis’ “Knights of the Round Table” with the creation of the “Madonna.”
We simply wanted to fulfill a pure dream.
As poets, we are driven by an uncontrollable urge to create, and we couldn’t wait to tell you the story of this watch.
Bard’s Whisper fused Gothic influences from different periods and regions, combining the craftsmanship of over 20 top Taiwanese artisans to complete the “Madonna Gothic Origin Watch.” The team dedicated two years to realize a dream that anyone could own.
Everyone said we were crazy, that we staked everything.
But on this journey, we witnessed the pride of Taiwanese craftsmanship.
This isn’t a grand masterpiece—it’s a tribute to you, who are working hard every day.
| Case |
Crafted with advanced hand-painted detailing and precision engraving.
Inspired by the Gothic architectural icon Notre Dame Cathedral, the front lugs feature iconic Gothic spire window motifs. The case sides are engraved with floral patterns and Gothic wood (Hibiscus syriacus). The case back displays engraved patterns and Gothic text, mimicking the classical typography of ancient manuscripts. Fun fact: this exquisite craftsmanship is thanks to a historic watch factory in Tainan that once produced cases for Swiss brands. The watch, including the Gothic strap, weighs 180g. Though heavier than standard mechanical watches, the specially designed strap disperses the weight evenly across your wrist, ensuring comfort even with prolonged wear.
| Madonna Sculpture |
For every completed watch, six Madonna sculptures are rejected in pursuit of perfection, sparing no cost.
Modeled after Our Lady of Guadalupe, we acquired an ornamental Madonna from Mexico and 3D-scanned it—removing the fan-shaped halo—before extensive testing to achieve a finely detailed 4mm sculpture at the limits of metal craftsmanship. Thanks to Realfun 3D’s top-tier scanning in Taipei, the Bard’s Whisper team developed proprietary methods to produce micro-sculptures, greatly optimizing cost and process while preserving intricate miniature details. This watch incorporates over 30 jewelry techniques and more than 100 production steps. What appears simple is in fact a culmination of fine jewelry craftsmanship—even ergonomics were carefully considered.
| Strap |
Combining carving, ergonomic design, and digital modeling, handcrafted with double butterfly clasps.
The “Gothic Punk” movement emerged in the late 1970s in the UK. To achieve comfort while retaining intricate Gothic textures, three teams collaborated: Taichung’s Dream Factory hand-carved the design, Kaohsiung’s Thor Studio digitized the model, and Kaohsiung’s Chang An San Shi handcrafted the straps. The result: a tough exterior, comfortable interior, and unique pressure-relief construction. Two years of work for two straps.
Additionally, each set includes a premium calf leather strap (bamboo-grain texture) for versatile styling, ideal for formal occasions. The Gothic leather strap, crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, boasts a durability of over 2 years—superior to standard market straps. (If wet, simply air dry; no heating required.)
The strap’s design allows the Madonna watch to express two distinct styles: a Gothic strap paired with silver accessories offers a trendy edge, while the included bamboo-grain leather strap suits formal attire like suits, shirts, polo shirts, or casual tees.
| Dial |
Sapphire crystal, scratch-resistant and durable, with anti-reflective coating.
The design references the remnants of a chandelier from Chhîm Cathedral, a Roman church from 498 AD near present-day Saïda, Lebanon. While inspired by religious artifacts, our focus was on the evolution of Gothic culture—backed by extensive research across NTUA, NTU, and Sanxia’s Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. We gathered Gothic elements from various countries to unify in this design.
The watch features faceted hands often seen in European art watches, reflecting light even in dim conditions to ensure readability.
| Crown |
Hand-painted in extreme detail—each crown requires several hours to complete.
Its pattern is fully painted within a 0.7cm diameter space, with line precision as fine as 0.01mm (1/10 of a hair’s width). This ancient technique, passed down through Taiwan’s traditional watch and jewelry makers, represents our dedication to fine craft.
| Basic Time Adjustment |
Rotate the crown to unscrew; it will pop out. Wind the movement gently clockwise (or it will self-wind when worn).
Pull the crown out slightly to set the time; rotate clockwise to adjust.
After setting, push the crown back in and screw it down to secure (always screw tightly to maintain water resistance).
| Care & Maintenance |
Q: How should I handle future repairs? Does the movement need maintenance?
A: Our watch factory is based in Taiwan, and we guarantee repair or replacement within one year for any movement issues. The “Madonna” uses the reliable Swiss SW200 automatic movement—durable and easy to maintain. Service every 3–5 years (cleaning and oiling) is sufficient.
| Notes |
This is a European-style decorative automatic mechanical watch. Please avoid wearing it during:
Sports activities
Swimming
Bathing
Near open flames
Severe impact
| Warranty |
Period: 1 year from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required; otherwise, the warranty period is calculated as 15 months from the manufacturing date.
Coverage: Global warranty, but shipping costs (both ways) are borne by the customer.
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Exclusions:
Surface damage (scratches, dents)
Damage from accidents, misuse, water, fire, natural disasters, or improper handling
Unauthorized repairs or modifications
| Repair & Inquiry |
Message our Facebook fan page: 吟遊詩人的呢喃 (Bard’s Whisper)
Email: bardswhisper@gmail.com
Leave a message on: bardswhisper.com
