When an artist turns their creative eye toward watchmaking, something unexpected happens. That’s exactly what we see with TöK WatchWorks, a new microbrand that merges artistic inspiration and industrial design into the world of wristwatches.

Behind the project is C.S. Qin, a veteran industrial designer whose work has been sold worldwide for over 30 years. Now at 63, Qin has turned his attention to creating wristwatches that capture the same visual storytelling he brings to his paintings — resulting in watches that are equal parts timepiece and artwork.

The debut lineup introduces two diver-style models, each produced in extremely limited numbers: the Katydid and the Turismo, with only 16 pieces per design available.

(Full collection with 10% discount available through this link).

Where Art Meets Watches

TöK WatchWorks stands apart by blending design, art, and personal memory. Each model begins not as a spec sheet, but as a visual idea — a fragment of experience that Qin transforms into color, texture, and form.

As he describes it, his watches are “fragments of memory which I have deemed dial worthy.”
It’s a philosophy that echoes throughout the collection — bridging his life as a painter and designer into something wearable.

The Katydid

The Katydid draws its inspiration from nature. It began with a photograph Qin stumbled upon online — a vivid green insect with striking red eyes. The contrast stuck in his mind long after, eventually leading to the red-eyed tree frog that inspired the final dial design.

Translating that vision into a watch wasn’t easy. The first prototypes didn’t capture the right shades, and after several revisions, the project was temporarily shelved. A year later, the design returned with renewed focus, resulting in a dial that perfectly balances bright green tones with red accents at 10 and 2 o’clock — a nod to the frog’s eyes.

Only 16 pieces of the Katydid were made, each reflecting the patience and persistence behind its creation.

The Turismo

While the Katydid celebrates nature, the Turismo pays homage to automotive art. Its origin lies in a novel Qin once read — a story centered around the theft of a Ferrari 250 GTO. The imagery of the red sports car became the foundation for the watch’s bold red dial and racing-inspired details.

White roundel hour markers replace traditional indices, while the numerals run from 13 to 24, mimicking classic car racing numbers. The case features three vent-like cutouts on the side, completing the vintage motorsport aesthetic.

Like the Katydid, the Turismo is limited to just 16 pieces, giving each one genuine collector appeal.

Design & Build

Both models share the same solid diver-style foundation, built to feel robust yet refined. The 43 mm case, crafted from 316 L stainless steel with a brushed finish, gives the watches a purposeful, tool-like character. A 120-click unidirectional bezel surrounds a domed sapphire crystal with an inner AR coating, adding just the right amount of depth and clarity to the dials.

Under low light, Swiss BGW9 lume brings the indices and hands to life with a bright blue glow, enhancing legibility without overpowering the artistic dial work. Powering both models is the Miyota 8215 automatic movement, a proven choice among microbrands for its reliability and ease of service. The watches feature a 22 mm lug width, offering plenty of strap options, and each one ships directly from the US.

Final Thoughts

TöK WatchWorks is a rare kind of debut — not from a marketer or an entrepreneur, but from an artist driven purely by creative curiosity. The result is a pair of watches that feel deeply personal, shaped by stories rather than trend reports.

With only 16 pieces of each model available, the Katydid and Turismo stand as wearable works of art that merge design, color, and storytelling into a single form. The specs are solid for the price, and the artistic concept gives them a unique identity in the microbrand space. The 43 mm case might feel large for some wrists — personally, it would be on the bigger side for me — but it’s not a dealbreaker for those who like a bold, statement-sized diver.

Explore the full collection and get 10% off through this link.

Specs, Pricing & Availability

Brand: TöK WatchWorks

Models: Katydid / Turismo

Case Material: 316 L stainless steel (brushed finish)

Diameter: 43 mm

Thickness: 15 mm

Bezel: 120-click uni-directional

Lume: Swiss BGW9

Crystal: Domed sapphire with AR inner coating

Water Resistance: 100 m

Lug Width: 22mm

Movement: Miyota 8215 automatic

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds

Price: $250

Availability: Available via PayPal link with 10% discount

Limited Edition: 16 pieces per model