Guan Yu Tourbillon Watch Launch Event

Actor Michael Tong is widely recognized in the entertainment industry as a style icon. Beyond his mastery of martial arts and athletic physique, he also possesses a refined sense of fashion. Born into a family of tailors, Michael graduated from the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, where he majored in womenswear design. Although his acting career has long taken center stage, his passion for design has never faded. When Memorigin, the renowned Hong Kong tourbillon watch brand, discovered Michael’s extraordinary artistic talent and fashion sensibility, they invited him to once again take up the designer’s pen. Together, they unveiled the Guan Yu Tourbillon Watch at the prestigious Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2025. Members of the boy band Hey Brother— Ben Wong, Johnson Lee, and Evergreen Mak—were also present to show their support for Michael.

William Shum, Founder and CEO of Memorigin, shared that he was introduced to Michael through watch industry KOL Rick Kwan, learning of his profound passion for both art and Chinese culture. He immediately invited him to collaborate on creating a timepiece infused with cultural depth and historical significance. William praised Michael with high regard: “He is not only exceptionally good-looking but also immensely talented in the arts, with a highly professional attitude. Once we decided on the design direction, he produced more than thirty versions, refining the details tirelessly. From Guan Yu’s expression and cheekbone placement to the form of his beard, he approached every element with meticulous precision.”

Michael Tong expressed that he has always held a deep passion for design, and to see his dream come true by becoming a tourbillon watch designer is an immense honor. He shared that he wished to infuse his personal interests into the creation, drawing inspiration from General Guan Yu of the Shu Han dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period—a legendary figure symbolizing loyalty, righteousness, and bravery.

The timepiece features a uniquely cut black PVD-coated barrel-shaped stainless-steel case, paired with a skeleton dial bearing a vintage-style portrait of Guan Yu, set against a backdrop of intricately detailed armor motifs. Armor-inspired engravings are also embossed onto the calf leather strap, with every detail meticulously executed to imbue the watch with a rich, multi-layered dimension.

The tale of Guan Yu “crossing five passes and slaying six generals” remains one of the most iconic episodes in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Michael thoughtfully integrated this legendary story into the watch’s design, engraving the surnames of the six generals—Kong, Han, Meng, Bian, Wang, and Qin—onto the hour markers, while five red rubies symbolize the five passes. As the blade-shaped hand—an homage to Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade—sweeps across the dial, it evokes the image of the general cutting through formidable barriers alone, on his journey to reunite with his lord, Liu Bei. Through this timepiece, Michael hopes to inspire a spirit of courage and fearlessness, reminding wearers that with time, perseverance, and experience, triumph can ultimately be achieved.

The watch is powered by a tourbillon movement composed of 155 components and 18 jewels. With a 40-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 oscillations per hour, it ensures exceptional precision and stability. Michael Tong and Memorigin have seamlessly fused the legendary tale of a Chinese historical figure with the pinnacle of Western tourbillon craftsmanship, imbuing the timepiece with profound cultural depth and significance— bringing Chinese heritage onto the global stage. At the event, William Shum presented the Guan Yu Tourbillon Watch to Michael Tong to commemorate this remarkable and meaningful collaboration.