Rising to New Heights – 2025 Year of the Snake Limited Edition Concrete Automatic Watch

In the year of Yisi (乙巳), as the sun rises high, the hundred-pace viper moves through four-dimensional space, standing guard day and night, embodying an endless source of power.

22STUDIO x Paiwan Artist Reretan Pavavaljung

When we first conceptualized the connection between snakes and Taiwan, the indigenous "hundred-pace viper" naturally came to mind. After further research, we discovered that Paiwan aesthetics and snake symbolism are deeply representative. Through a friend’s introduction, we met artist Reretan. Born in 1990, he has collaborated with Golden Melody Award-winning singer Abao, world-class choreographer Bulareyaung, and even contributed to the poster design for Yo-Yo Ma: The Bach Project in Taipei. His works are filled with vitality and cultural depth, which deeply resonated with us.

Reretan resides in Sandimen, Pingtung, where his family has a strong artistic heritage. On our first visit, we went to his sister’s café, Fenggua Di - Autumn Moon’s Shop, which was entirely designed and handcrafted by their family. The atmosphere and intricate design left a profound impression on us, leading to our collaboration.

Symbol of Strength and Wisdom – The Paiwan Legend of the Hundred-Pace Viper

In Paiwan culture, the hundred-pace viper represents power, wisdom, and protection. More than just a creature of nature, it is closely linked to ancestral spirits and deities, embodying a mystic and sacred power. Legend has it that the hundred-pace viper wards off evil and serves as a guardian of the tribe.

The snake motif is frequently found in Paiwan crafts, clothing, and totems. During tribal ceremonies and rituals, serpent patterns are often used to honor ancestral spirits and pray for peace. The viper's adaptability and ability to overcome challenges symbolize the Paiwan people's respect for nature and their wisdom in harmonious coexistence with it.

Sun and The Hundred-Pacer – The Protector and The Source of Life– The First Yin-Yang Concrete Dial

For the Year of the Snake edition, we designed this concrete automatic watch with life and protection as the core themes. The sun represents the source of life, while the hundred-pace viper serves as its guardian.

To visually distinguish the contrast between sky and earth on the dial, we adopted a dual-layer design with two distinct colors: a warm gray "Sun Dial" and a dark gray "Hundred-Pacer Dial".

The Sun Dial features a raised sun motif with an embedded magnifier for clear date display. Its radial pattern and depth variations symbolize sunlight and energy. The Viper Dial showcases a coiled hundred-pace viper flicking its tongue, representing vitality and protective strength.

Creating this limited-edition dial was particularly challenging due to the increased complexity of aligning the two layers perfectly during assembly. Despite the difficulties, we’re thrilled to report that we have once again pushed the boundaries of our craftsmanship!

Date Display and Sapphire Crystal Caseback Totem

The "25" on the date wheel has been replaced with a "double snake" symbol, using Paiwan's signature black-and-orange color scheme to mark this exclusive 2025 edition.

The sapphire crystal caseback features the signature of artist Reretan and a rising smoke totem.
Reretan's signature is particularly meaningful—it includes the character for "earth" with a pot below, symbolizing his identity as a "child of the land." The name Reretan itself refers to a type of clay pot. The rising smoke represents the continuation of life, an essential ritual where burning plants and animals provide nourishment, carrying the essence of all living beings in its wisps.

Blessings for Growth – Year of the Snake Exclusive Display Board

The display board for this limited edition watch is rich in symbolism, representing the continuation of life and blessings. Two sacred mountains embrace the composition, encapsulating the lives of the people. Boars and millet signify abundance, symbolizing the generosity and prosperity of the land.

The watch’s base is adorned with a snake pattern, reinforcing the Year of the Snake theme. Rising campfire smoke serves as a bridge between humans and ancestral spirits, representing protection and prayers for good fortune. Together, these elements create a timepiece that is not only rich in cultural depth but also infused with heartfelt blessings.

Traditional Paiwan Cross-Stitch Watch Pouch

Each purchase of the Year of the Snake Concrete automatic watch comes with a finely crafted watch pouch. These pouches are handmade by Paiwan women from the Tavadran Colorful Fabric Workshop in Reretan’s hometown, Dashe Village, Pingtung, using traditional cross-stitching techniques. Every stitch reflects a deep respect for craftsmanship, preserving and celebrating Paiwan culture in exquisite detail.

First-Ever Left-Side Crown and Guard Design

For the first time, we have introduced a left-side crown design, making it particularly suitable for those who wear watches on their right wrist or for left-handed individuals, allowing for effortless time adjustments. For those who typically wear watches on their left wrist, this design prevents the crown from pressing into the wrist, greatly enhancing comfort.

Additionally, a CNC-machined recess and crown guard provide enhanced protection, reducing direct impacts and extending the watch’s lifespan, making it suitable for more dynamic activities while maintaining a sleek, mechanical aesthetic.

Specifications

  • Exclusive Handcrafted Concrete Dial

    Made with 22STUDIO’s newly developed concrete formula, incorporating sustainable recycled support with rapid setting, minimal shrinkage, and high durability. Each dial is individually cast and cured for 14 days, akin to aging fine wine or beef, maximizing structural strength while developing a unique natural texture.

  • Durable Swiss Movement

    We use Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic winding movement SW200-1: vibrations 28’800 bph, maximum power reserve of 38 hours, accuracy of +/- 20 sec/day, standard three hands of hour, minute and second, and date display.

  • Super-LumiNova® Luminous Hands and Three-Dimensional Hour Markers

    All 22STUDIO timepieces feature Swiss-made Super-LumiNova® from LumiNova AG Switzerland, known for its exceptional chemical stability and high luminosity, ensuring clear readability even in the darkest environments.

    The watch employs CNC-machined metal hour markers infused with Super-LumiNova®. Measuring just 3.9 × 1 × 0.8mm, these miniature markers must be precisely embedded into the concrete dial, a process that demands extreme precision in both mold release and alignment.

  • Sapphire Crystal Watch Glass

    All 22STUDIO watches feature sapphire crystal glass, second only to diamond in hardness, making it highly resistant to scratches and ensuring long-lasting clarity and durability.

  • Suspended Lock Bezel Design

    Our independently developed suspended lock design secures the upper bezel with four screws from the strap groove. This innovative structure eliminates the previous maintenance cut at the 12 o’clock position, enhances water resistance, and simplifies future disassembly and repairs.

  • Leather Strap Curve Fixer

    Each 22STUDIO leather strap is fitted with a curve fixer, ensuring a perfectly contoured oval shape for a more balanced and comfortable fit.

Models

  • Twilight Edition

    Made with a 316L stainless steel case, paired with a two-tone concrete dial, gold-tone hands, 3D hour markers, crown, and guard, evoking the brilliance of sunrise over sacred mountains.

  • Night Edition

    The Night Edition is made with a PVD-coated matte black stainless steel case, two-tone concrete dial, matte black hour markers and hands, accented with Paiwan-inspired floral and life-symbolic orange lume, and a brown leather strap

Packaging – Raw & Honest Design

The Year of the Snake Limited Edition packaging is crafted entirely from paper materials, emphasizing their natural textures. The outer layer consists of thick gray board folded into a sleeve, while the inner layer features shock-absorbing recycled pulp cardboard, carefully stacked for protection. The watch is carefully placed within the hand-made cross-stitched watch pouch before being put in the box. With the addition of a display board signed by Reretan, it serves as a decorative piece even when not in use, adding timelessness and beauty to any home.

Dimensions & Materials

Watch Specifications:

Swiss SELLITA SW200-1 automatic movement, 38-hour power reserve, 316L stainless steel case, magnified date window, high-density cement dial, Super LumiNova® luminous 3D hour markers, Super LumiNova® luminous 3D hands, sapphire crystal and transparent case back, crown guard with pull-out crown, 5 ATM water resistance, pin buckle leather strap.


Materials and Colors:

Brushed stainless steel case and crown (silver/PVD black), two-tone high-density cement dial (warm gray + deep gray), stainless steel hands and metal hour markers (gold/black), Super LumiNova® (green/orange), automatic mechanical movement (gold/silver), leather strap (camel/brown).


Dimensions:

Case: 45mm diameter, 14.5mm thickness.
Crown: 7.2mm diameter.

2025 Year of the Snake Limited Edition Concrete Automatic Watch