Ancient Inspiration. Modern Expression.

Sometimes a new watch launch is simply another addition to an existing collection. Sometimes it marks the next step in a much bigger story. Today, independent Hong Kong brand Metrical unveils the Epiphany Twilight, the latest chapter in a collection inspired not by traditional watchmaking, but by humanity's earliest relationship with the passage of time itself. While collectors around the world are seeing the watch for the very first time, we wanted to go beyond the launch announcement and understand the thinking behind it. Although Metrical remains relatively unknown outside Asia, founder Paul Li has quietly built a brand with a remarkably clear philosophy. Inspired by historic pocket watches and driven by the belief that a watch should evoke emotion as much as it tells the time, his designs seek to celebrate time itself rather than simply measure it. Coinciding with today's launch, MIC spoke with Paul to discuss the origins of Metrical, the ideas that shaped Epiphany Origin, what collectors should understand about the brand before discovering Epiphany Twilight, and why authenticity, not publicity, continues to guide every decision he makes. Because every new watch tells the time. Far fewer ask why we became fascinated with measuring it in the first place.

FIVE MINUTES WITH PAUL LI

Many collectors outside of Asia will be discovering Metrical for the very first time through this interview. Before we talk about the watches, tell us a little about yourself. Who is Paul Li?

“Inspired by the classical elegance and poetic ingenuity of 18th to 19th century pocket watches, I began as a dedicated collector of dress watches, quietly yearning for the soulful displays that had almost disappeared from modern watchmaking. This desire prompted me to sketch my own designs. These concepts caught the attention of a family friend and veteran of the Swiss watch industry, who encouraged me to bring them to life and introduced me to a trusted Swiss manufacturing partner. My passion for horology deepened the first time I assembled a movement by hand and watched it come to life, a moment that made me see time as something magical. Inspired by an antique pocket watch in the Patek Philippe Museum, I set out to create unique, emotionally meaningful timepieces.”

There are countless microbrands launching every year, yet very few manage to develop a genuinely distinctive identity from day one. What convinced you that Metrical deserved to exist?

“What convinced me that Metrical deserved to exist was a deep frustration I had as a collector. For years, I struggled to find modern watches that offered the specific designs and emotional resonance I was craving. I wanted more than just another well-made timepiece. I wanted one that felt poetic, that celebrated time itself rather than merely telling it. I longed for watches inspired by how ancient humanity first understood time by gazing at the sky, yet executed with modern elegance and originality. Eventually, I realized that if I wanted these watches so badly, there must be other collectors who felt the same. They are tired of safe, derivative designs and yearning for timepieces with genuine soul, intention, and a distinctive point of view. That realization became the foundation for Metrical.”

The brand is based in Hong Kong, utilises Swiss movements and carries a Latin motto, Symphonia Temporis Pulsans (‘The Beating Symphony of Time’). To some collectors, those influences may appear wonderfully international; to others, they may make the brand's identity harder to define. How do you want collectors to understand Metrical's identity?

“I see Metrical’s international influences not as a dilution of identity, but as a natural reflection of who we are and what we stand for. We are proudly based in Hong Kong, a city that has always been a meeting point of East and West, tradition and modernity. This is our creative home. We use Swiss movements and produce Swiss Made watches because we are uncompromising when it comes to quality and reliability. And we chose a Latin motto, Symphonia Temporis Pulsans, because our watches are heavily inspired by the classical world. It transcends borders and languages. To me, these elements don’t create confusion. They create harmony. I want collectors to understand Metrical as an independent, poetic, and soulful watch brand, one that draws from the best of different worlds without being defined by any single one. We are not trying to be purely Swiss, purely Asian, or purely anything else. We are a brand that believes beautiful watchmaking should blend heritage, emotion, and originality. At its core, Metrical is about adding beauty and meaning to time. Whether through celestial inspiration, subtle spiritual elements, or fresh design thinking, every watch we make is an attempt to create something that feels both timeless and deeply personal. We want collectors to see us as the brand that makes watches with heart, soul, and a clear point of view wherever in the world that inspiration comes from.”

The Epiphany Origin wasn't simply a watch with an unusual way of displaying the time. It carried a much deeper narrative inspired by humanity's earliest relationship with the sun, moon and the passage of time. Where did that idea first come from?

“As watch collectors, we all love wearing mechanical watches. But have we ever paused to ask how did this fascination with watches begin in the first place? That question became the starting point for Epiphany Origin, my first watch. I wanted to pay tribute to the very origin of humanity’s understanding of time, which ultimately made watch collecting possible today. At the beginning, our ancestors looked up at the sky and learned to read time through the movement of the sun by day and the moon and the stars by night. This simple yet profound realization inspired the entire concept. I wanted to create a watch that didn’t just tell time but reminded the wearer of that discovery. The sun and moon time telling display was born from this idea, turning the act of checking the time into a small, poetic moment that connects us back to the very beginning of horology. The name “Epiphany” carries two layers of meaning: that sudden realization our ancestors had when they first understood time by observing the sky, and the biblical Epiphany, a story of paying tribute to God, who created time itself.”

Looking back now, what did launching the Epiphany Origin teach you about collectors that you simply couldn't have learned any other way?

“Launching the Epiphany Origin taught me that watch collecting is far more diverse, both in gender and in values, than the industry often assumes. Many watch brands heavily target male customers, and you would naturally think that serious watch collecting is largely a man’s hobby. What surprised me was receiving second purchases from several female clients. It showed me that women are not just buying watches as gifts, but are genuinely drawn to meaningful design and storytelling. Another important lesson came from our subtle Christian elements. I included them as a respectful tribute to the Christian origins of mechanical timekeeping in 13th century Europe, even though I understood it might alienate some potential customers. To my pleasant surprise, these elements resonated strongly with some collectors. We gained a handful of very loyal clients who deeply appreciated this perspective, and we actually achieved some good sales in the Middle East. Overall, the launch taught me that authenticity and sincerity still matter greatly. When a brand stays true to its convictions and tells a genuine story, it attracts collectors who share those values regardless of gender, background, or geography.“

The first collection sold out, but it never seemed to chase publicity. Was that intentional, or were you simply focused on building the right foundations before trying to grow the brand?

“It was largely intentional. From the beginning, I wanted Metrical to grow organically through the quality of the watches and the sincerity of the brand, rather than through hype or aggressive marketing. With such limited production, I felt it was more important to focus on getting the fundamentals right: the design philosophy, the finishing, the story, and delivering a strong first impression to those who did find us. I would rather have a smaller group of genuinely enthusiastic collectors who truly understand and appreciate what we’re trying to do, than a large number of casual buyers or flippers attracted by hype. Selling out the first collection without chasing publicity reinforced my belief that if we continue to create meaningful watches with care and conviction, the right collectors will discover us naturally. That authentic growth feels much more sustainable and truer to our values.”

If someone handled an Epiphany Origin without knowing the name on the dial, what would you hope they immediately recognise as distinctly 'Metrical'?

“Metrical is distinct in that it masterfully combines classical design elements with fresh originality. At its core, the Epiphany Origin is a modern reinterpretation of late 17th-century sun-and-moon pocket watches, poetic timepieces that captured the rhythm of day and night. We took this historical idea and reimagined it for the wrist with a sculptural, multilayered dial, refined proportions, and thoughtful details.This reflects Metrical’s broader identity: Heritage Meets Innovation. We deeply study historical watchmaking archives to understand what made certain designs exceptional, then innovate boldly, questioning conventions and thinking outside the box. Proudly independent, we follow our own creative instincts and honour traditional artistry without being constrained by fleeting trends or rigid industry rules. The result is timeless yet refreshingly original design, driven purely by passion for horology and the art of watchmaking.”

Your website and social media have recently been stripped back in preparation for the next release, Epiphany Twilight. It almost feels like you're drawing a line under chapter one. Was there a reason you did that?

“This is simply a temporary display to properly introduce the next watch. Eventually, we’ll bring everything back into balance. We wanted to create a clean, focused space so that when Epiphany Twilight arrives, collectors can experience it fully without any distractions. It’s our way of giving the new chapter the attention and breathing room it deserves. That said, it did surprise some people, and I completely understand why. To be clear, we are not wiping the slate clean or distancing ourselves from the past. Every watch we have made remain important parts of Metrical’s story. They are the foundation of the brand.“

When designing a second collection, how do you balance listening to collector feedback with staying true to your own instincts?

“Every new watch Metrical creates must, first and foremost, be something I would genuinely want to wear on my own wrist. This personal connection is non-negotiable. It ensures the watch stays true to our brand philosophy and maintains its soul. That said, I don’t design in complete isolation. At various stages of development, we 3D print the case and let a small group of trusted family, friends, and collectors try it on. Their comments and impressions are valuable, and we adjust where it makes sense. However, I only accept changes that enhance the watch without compromising its core spirit, story, or design intent. Collector feedback is important. It should inform and refine but never dictate.“

What inspired the new purple colour in Epiphany Twilight and why did you feel the need to introduce a new colour now?

“Purple has always been one of my favourite colours and it is a rarer hue of the sky. There’s something inherently regal, mysterious, and beautiful about it. After the Epiphany Origin sold out, my inbox was flooded with enquiries. This strong demand encouraged me to move forward with the Epiphany Twilight. For me, purple perfectly captures the essence of twilight, which is the enchanting transition between day and night. It brings a completely different character to the watch. It looks more glamourous, making it ideal for cocktail parties, black-tie events, and refined evening wear.The deep purple shade we have chosen is especially captivating because the colour shifts depending on the angle and lighting. It is a juicy purple under bright light and almost black in low light. This new colour allows the Epiphany concept to express a fresh personality while staying true to its poetic roots.”

Beyond Epiphany Twilight, are you working on anything new, be it a new model or an extension of the existing Epiphany line, that you can tell us something about?

“Yes, there are new models already in development. They will take Metrical in fresh and unexpected directions. Some stay close to our poetic roots, while others explore entirely new territories in both design language and technical expression. I am very excited about what’s coming. These pieces feel like natural evolutions of Metrical’s philosophy, yet each brings something distinctly new to the table.”

Finally, what kind of brand do you ultimately hope collectors will see five or ten years from now?

“I want Metrical to be recognised as the brand that consistently delivers thoughtful, poetic designs that feel both fresh and timeless. Metrical is a brand that is not afraid to explore different expressions from celestial themes to vintage-inspired pieces and beyond while staying true to our core philosophy: blending classical elegance with bold originality, and occasionally weaving in quiet spiritual intention. Ultimately, I want Metrical to be loved by those who truly understand and appreciate watchmaking as an art form.”