Ricky Hong x TLE 18 in 18 (十八旹)

Presented in a classical dress-style case, Ricky Hong’s 18 in 18 (十八旹) is the young watchmaker’s first in-series edition. Conceived to mark the occasion of his own eighteenth year, the first eighteen piece edition was released earlier in 2026 and quickly sold out, as word of this new rising star filtered out through the online watch collecting communities around the world.

Produced in a series of eighteen examples (from whence it derives its name), this exclusive 18 in 18 (十八旹) with The Limited Edition is a piece which, thanks to its rounded case, burgundy-on-creamy white two-tone porcelain enamel dial and gorgeous leaf shaped hands, exudes the dashing elegance and sophistication of the swinging café society of the 1930s.

Presented in a case of stainless steel which measures 40.5mm across and standing a mere 9.5mm in height. The surface of the case is polished throughout and it also features ‘bullet’ style lugs, which are unapologetically inspired by the Cartier Obus; one of the iconic designs of twentieth century watchmaking, and which allow for excellent ergonomic fit and comfort on the wrist.

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the dial epitomises classic elegance, with its irresistible combination of deep burgundy red and egg-shell white and the two-hand time indication. Immaculately finished mirror polished curved leaf-style hour and minute hands taper to very fine points and complement the two-tone dial, whose central panel is made using porcelain enamel, while the black roman numerals are hand painted onto a brushed band in creamy white, while on the rail track chapter ring and almost hidden in plain sight, the subtle inclusion at the eighteen minute mark of the Chinese characters 八十, symbolises the western number ‘18’ is a little personal touch which the watchmaker has added to each one of the eighteen pieces.

Under a stainless steel caseback beats what started out in life as a Unitas 6498 manual winding movement. Using this reliable Swiss mechanism as a base from which to work on, it has been deeply modified and now includes a new in-house two-thirds plate, bridges with curved anglage around the edges and snailing decoration on the wheels, as well as côtes de Genève stripes and engraved balance cock.  It is an astonishingly accomplished piece of work, and a showcase for the uncompromising standards of haute horlogerie watchmaking which the young watchmaker is proving himself to be perfectly at ease with.