Taking design cues from the sea-bed, namely the graceful manta ray, paired with a trio of world-first innovations featuring an Involute Gear System, it’s time to review the new ATOWAK MANTA-X

 

In Brief

• Quite possibly the Jules Verne of luxury watches, embark on a timekeeping journey with the latest model from Hong Kong brand ATOWAK, encompassing several world firsts, like a Hexa-Prism System.
• Following futuristic executions such as the Cobra Venom Gold and TARANTULA series, this forward thinking piece is far from a conventional Patek Philippe or Rolex, especially its groundbreaking hour wheel, pivoting 60 degrees every 60 minutes.
• Delivering three principal collections;  "Revitalized Legacy," "Mechanized Lifeforms," and "Transformed Imagination," although they are a newcomer to the watch game, they are making waves with their pioneering visual architecture and individual craftsmanship.
• Inspired by the manta ray, one of the largest fish in the ocean with wing spans up to 7 metres wide, moving through the water using their large pectoral fins, the avant-garde visuals, wandering hours display and grade 5 titanium is no red herring.
• Based on the COBRA collection, the new ATOWAK MANTA-X houses the brand’s self-engineered AK-07BA module within the Sellita SW200, carbon fibre track system and domino style Tidal Gravitas Minute Wheel System with more than a dozen discs.
• Incorporating rotating hour prisms via the Hexa-Prism System and with more mystery than a Maigret novel, other highlights include a composite fiber mortise-and-tenon setup, sculptured hexagonal case and two dial declinations (tidal blue and violet purple)

Watches and Wonders 2025 may have come and gone as quickly as a Zenith El Primero. 

READ MORE: Zenith El Primero Movement: The Epic Horological Story

But this has not stopped the balance wheels turning for one brand. With the launch of their new timepiece, there are nods to manta rays and more deep sea marvel than Jacques Cousteau could shake a harpoon at. 

And we must doth our cap to their revolutionary wondering hours display that firmly puts the similar Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel in its place. 

Before we dive further than an Omega Ploprof 1200M Summer Blue into our review of the ATOWAK MANTA-X, let’s take time out to find out a little more about the brand.

It’s time to join us as we go into the abyss…

 

Who Are ATOWAK?

 

Created by Johnny Deng in 2019, the brand name derives from Caesar cipher encoding. When “UNIQUE” is changed via this system by half a dozen positions, it results in ATOWAK, representing the evolution of mechanical watches and ingenious creativity.

A Caesar Cipher named after the last ruler of the Roman Republic, Julius Caesar. Source: ObservableHQ

Deng has more than a decade of manufacturing experience behind him, providing his immaculate technical prowess and know-how to conjure up intriguing pieces that have been lapped up by enthusiasts across the globe.

Focusing on remoulding previous concepts with imaginative designs, their collections range from a melange of science fiction, married with a sense of emotional connection to breaking down the timekeeping walls of what is achievable. Not quite meteorite level, but truly something out of the ordinary.

FIND OUT MORE: 12 Of The Best Meteorite Dial Watches For Spaced Out Enthusiasts

Entitled "past, present, and future", this is ingrained into their signature wandering hour executions, symbolized by the rotating hour wheel. Beginning its horological journey in 2020, when the initial ETTORE series came to fruition, it signalled a monumental step in their development. 

 

 

Two years later, the COBRA was unveiled, spearheading a tenon-and-mortise three-dimensional hour wheel system. Totally screwless, it utilises a carbon fibre level and axis composed of aluminium. Perfect timing, if you are looking for something with added panache…and bite!

 

Did You Know…

It takes them more than two years to produce every type of model to achieve the final product. Furthermore, their watchmaking has been recognised with not one but two German iF Design Awards.

 

Under The Sea

 

In 1989, Bounty chocolate bar may have waxed lyrical about their sumptuous flavours with their “Taste of Paradise” strapline.

Sketch images. Note the 2022 stamp.

 

But for the new ATOWAK MANTA-X we are going under water, past the sun-kissed golden sands and cool Summer breeze. 

And it’s here you will come across the motivation for this model, based on one of the most graceful sea creatures. 

 

Manta Ray Movement: The Art Of Gliding Through The Ocean

Manta rays are truly mesmerizing when it comes to their movement in the water. 

Their unique and graceful swimming style sets them apart from other marine creatures. Instead of using their tails for propulsion like many fish, manta rays glide through the ocean by undulating their large, wing-like pectoral fins. 

This distinctive motion, which looks almost like flying through the water, is both efficient and stunning to observe.

 

Wing-Like Swimming Motion

Manta rays' pectoral fins are broad and triangular, giving them the appearance of "wings." These fins are used in a manner similar to the wings of a bird or an aeroplane, creating lift and propulsion as the manta swims. 

Source: David Serradell, Annie Crawley, Scott Davis

The rays' fins beat in a smooth, wave-like motion, moving in a synchronized rhythm, typically in a sweeping up-and-down motion. The larger the manta, the more graceful the movement becomes, with the manta's body appearing to glide effortlessly through the water. 

This is replicated on the sweeping motion of the new Hexa-Prism System, leading to an epic time-telling visual thanks to its hexahedral rotating hour wheel, mimicking the elegant swingbeats of a manta ray.

In calm waters, manta rays tend to glide slowly, often with their wings extended wide, while in deeper waters, they may move with greater speed. 

Manta rays are known for their intelligence and social behavior, and their movement often reflects this. They have been observed to engage in playful behaviors, such as swimming in loops or interacting with each other. 

They may "fly" in wide arcs, often coming close to divers or groups of fish. Manta rays are known to even roll around in the water, seemingly for fun or to engage in social rituals.

 

Adaptations For Movement

Manta rays are equipped with an array of adaptations that make their movement through water both fluid and effortless:

1. Large Pectoral Fins: These fins allow for precise control over their direction and speed. They can "steer" with great accuracy, making sudden turns or gentle shifts in direction.
   
   
2. Efficient Buoyancy Control: Manta rays have a large liver that helps them regulate their buoyancy. This allows them to hover in the water or ascend and descend with minimal effort.
   
   
3. Flexible Spine: The flexibility of their spinal column also contributes to their graceful movement, as they can bend and curve their bodies without resistance.

 

Manta Ray And Ocean Currents

In some instances, manta rays make use of ocean currents to aid in their travel. 

By positioning themselves in the right spot, they can take advantage of water movement to move with little energy expenditure. This ability to “ride the currents” is part of what makes their swimming appear effortless.

The manta ray movement is a beautiful fusion of function and grace. 

Every flick of their pectoral fins seems choreographed by nature itself, allowing them to navigate the vast oceans with consummate ease. 

 

Be it feeding, migrating, or simply cruising along, they are a testament to the beauty and fluidity of marine life. For anyone fortunate enough to observe one, the manta ray's contours and shifting are not just about swimming - it is an art form.

This is reflected in the ATOWAK MANTA-X, tying in the mystery of the sea and the fully immersive wrist experience found in the grade 5 titanium case design while the hands bear resemblance to the subtle swaying of the deep blue ocean. 

LEARN MORE: What Are The Best Titanium Watches To Buy And Invest In 2025?

Resonating dynamism and tranquillity, this stays true to the brand’s design roots. How’s that for poetry in motion?

 

Personality Of The ATOWAK MANTA-X

 

“Reconstruct The Mechanical Moment”

 

Showcasing biomorphic design, it is heavily inspired by the graceful, wide wings of a manta ray, creating a design that emphasizes elegance, gracefulness and optimal performance. The case is built with lightweight grade 5 titanium alloy, giving top notch durability and lightweight properties.

 

In 1964, Muhammed Ali may have told us he “floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.” But this novelty may float your boat for several reasons. That is if you are after top notch technical innovation and forward thinking, avant-garde design.

First up is its three pronged world first innovations, boasting a 180-degree Hexa Prism 3D Wandering Hour System and Involute Gear System among other elements. 

 

More on that in a tick.

Measuring 49.5mm x 42mm from top to toe, the thickness may be a little on the chunkier side for some at 13mm. Ok, a 13mm watch might be considered average, as many prefer on point slinkier dress watches which can slip under a cuff.

READ MORE: A Definitive Guide To The Best Dress Watches For Any Swanky Event

But don’t let that detract from the intuitiveness and wallet-friendly price that you would pay far more with this type of wandering hours display within.

After all, different types of watches come with varied price points, especially when you throw in more complex complications like this one or a chronograph.

 

To put the case dimensions into perspective, it’s more than 2mm thicker than a Longines Conquest (L3.830.4.02.6) but the same thickness as a Rolex Submariner ref. 5513.

So what makes the ATOWAK MANTA-X special?

Gliding onto the wrist is a trinity of global exclusives that are not from Rolex, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Contantin for a change. 

If you hadn’t heard, the latter debuted the world’s most complicated wrist watch ever made in Geneva this year, namely (ahem) Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication - La Première with 41 complications and more than 1,500 components. 

But we are here to discuss the Involute Gear System that treads a different horological path from the classic Maltese Cross mechanism. Instead, for added precision and functionality, the brand undertakes a single-tooth engagement mechanism, incorporating a 60° flip every hour. 

 

Next up is the implementation of the 180° Hexa-Prism 3D Wandering Hour System. Stay with us for a second. Forget how you normally see time. This is thinking out of the box with extra vigour, thanks to the six-sided hour wheel, echoing the refined beating wings of the manta ray. 

Upgraded from a standard four-sided version, it is capable of pivoting 60 degrees once every 60 minutes, alongside a quickfire, eye-catching flip in a staggering 0.3 seconds, revealing the present hour.

 

Moving on, and the tide is certainly high with the Tidal Gravitas Minute Wheel, another feat of technical emergence. 13 discs or minute wheels work in harmony to produce a powerful domino effect with incredibly tight tolerances of just 0.003mm. 

As a result, its accuracy at its finest, with this cascade-like effect, showing off the manta ray’s movement through this motion which runs in tandem with the Minute Wheel Actuation System.

 

Purple dial variation

The drive pins based on a central dial allow it to help activate the 13 minute wheels. Look out for the set of neighboring wheels that flip the yin-yang faces every 5 minute interval leading to maximum precision. The wheel bridges correspond to their security, pristine positioning and improved stability. 

If that’s not enough, there is an Integrated Composite Fiber Mortise and Tenon Structure, based on the COBRA, benefitting from composite fiber materials and single aluminum shaft for the epitome of minimalism.

In addition, the Hour Wheel Track Support Structure has 50-plus components and mechanical expertise bar none. On to the case of the ATOWAK MANTA-X and this does not disappoint. 

To obtain the rigidity and robustness, it has undergone more than 130 machining stages to obtain the ideal balance of sophistication and toughness. Did we forget the double-domed sapphire crystal, with 92% clarity?

 

It’s like looking through the looking glass.

This ends up in a glorious uninterrupted view of the Hexa-Prism System, not to mention the ultra-slim exhibition case back, measuring only 2.5mm. And with this one, you’ll no doubt be dancing to the rhythm of the beat that’s the personification of marine glam.

And like Whitney Houston declared in 1987, you’ll soon “Wanna Dance With Somebody” when you get this on the wrist. So when the night falls, you’ll be strapped up with the brand’s Swiss Super-LumiNova coating, giving the wearer top notch visibility in low-light conditions. 

 

This is also highlighted on the tidal gravitas minute discs, daubed with luminescent nano-materials, that will give you a starry-eyed surprise in the small hours, emanating that mysterious aquatic glow. 

 

The gnarled crown is situated at the top of the case at 12. There’s nice chamfering going on with the brand logo etched below in the centre. The buckle doesn’t miss the grade 5 titanium treatment which is embossed with the brand logo.

 

Available on a hybrid strap made from nylon-leather, in a suitably accentuated tidal blue dial and violet purple, this one is aimed to be worn effortlessly for any special occasion. Superlative technical brilliance? Tick. World-first enhancements? Double tick. 

For connoisseurs who want to buy a watch with unashamedly prominent characteristics with adventurous visual architecture, this is unquestionably not going to leave a sting in the tail 

 

Official Specs - ATOWAK MANTA-X

Reference	AK-07BA
Case Diameter	49.5mm x 42mm
Case Thickness	13mm
Crystal	Scratch-Resistant Synthetic Sapphire Crystal, combining Dual AR Coating & Separated Dual Crystals
Case Material	Grade 5 Titanium Alloy
Hands	Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Alloy & Forged Carbon Fiber
Dial Declinations	Tidal Blue Violet Purple
Weight	73.48 g (without strap) / 86.3 g (including)
Water Resistance	3 ATM (30 meters/100 feet)
Strap Options	Hybrid Nylon & Leather
Strap Length	125mm × 80mm
Limited Production	Yes

 

Modified Sellita SW200 Movement (Incorporating AK-07BA Calibre)

Skipping along within the ATOWAK MANTA-X is the steady and reliable Swiss based 

Sellita SW200 Movement. 

 

This has been given a horological injection by way of the self-developed hour wheel module from the brand. Not quite the Hulk of calibres but you catch our drift. 

Laid bare for your eyes only is a track system made from carbon fiber with more than 50 separate components and 26 ruby bearings. Furthermore, the +/- 13 seconds precision that is attributed to COSC standards is nothing to be sniffed at either

Say goodbye to the date complication, date wheel though which has been erased. Refined and more of a mechanical treat than meeting Frankenstein at your doorstep on Halloween, its carbon arms have excellent shock absorption capabilities with a one of a kind Track Support Structure. 

What does this mean?

In essence, as this is a super complex piece, not one but two sturdy pillars support the module base, making it significantly less prone to friction, further increasing precision

Some watches you might find powered with an Sellita SW200 base include;

• Oris Aquis Titanium Date
• Baume & Mercier Clifton
• Norqain Wild One Skeleton
• Montblanc 1858 Automatic

 

Official Movement Specs 

Diameter	25mm
Height	4.6mm
Country Of Manufacture	Switzerland
Accuracy	+/- 13 seconds
Ruby Bearings	26
Power Reserve	38 hours
Vph	28,800 (4Hz)
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds

 

Where Can You Buy An ATOWAK MANTA-X?

Very sad times, watch lovers…

This one has a limited shelf period. How so? This is largely in part down to the technical complexities and intricacies to produce this novelty. This means this new drop may be as hot as trying to get on the Rolex Daytona waitlist. 

Honestly, there’s nothing fishy about this.

If you want to buy an ATOWAK MANTA, it will set you back around £2,900 or $3,800 (As of April 2025) Pre-orders have already begun but hold on to your horological horses for a minute. Deliveries are at present aiming to be shipped around the beginning of July 2025.

To discover more and to sign up to reserve your place, please refer to the brand’s signup page.

 

What’s Our View?

 

If you want to buy a watch that’s full on space age and very much an alternative to the run of the mill designs associated with say, the Tudor Black Bay Pro or Breitling Chronomat 40 which many enthusiasts speak highly of, then the ATOWAK MANTA-X may be for you.

But it will separate those seeking pure enigmatic exploration, or the classic cases of a Calatrava or Cartier Tank…

Don’t get me wrong, the technological advancements seen through the case, sandblasted finish, new Hexa Prism 3D Wandering Hours System and deep sea aesthetical cues are something to behold at this price point.

On top, the hour and minute blocks seen in the wandering hours display are as smooth as silk when setting the time with great fluidity.

It’s a conversation starter most definitely, and hats off should go to the technological developments seen in this model. 

On the other hand, the dome on the dial makes it slightly taller than some would like and the thickness is bordering on the Panerai side. This may put some horophiles off, but don’t let it deter you from what is an audacious number. 

 

Conclusion

 

Sadly, we have to call time. 

In our view, these are Marmite watches to a certain extent. But which side of the fence are you on? Following the ETTORE series, giving wearers the chance to flex elaborate complications at a budget-friendly price, technology is really at the heart of the new ATOWAK MANTA-X.

Don’t get me wrong, the curves, angles, finishing and exclusive innovations, exude a very industrial look…sort of Kraftwerk meets Dieter Rams or Karim Rashid. 

In a good way we hasten to add. So is this an everyday watch that can be dressed up for the boardroom or late night bar? That’s for you to decipher.

Whilst it may not be for hardcore traditionalists who long for some of the best luxury watch brands out there, the innovation is second to none as is the distinctive, cutting edge look. Besides, look at the impact the MAD1 has had on the industry. 

However, like Donald Trump’s tariffs dashing hopes of a luxury revival (for now) times have changed, and it’s a really, really…mad world

 

 

 

Looking to buy an Audemars Piguet Starwheel with wandering hours complication? Looking to sell a Rolex at the best possible price to level up your collection? Then it’s time to contact ChronoHunter.

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Further Reading: 

Maen Brooklyn 36 Triple Calendar Turns Back The Clock With Datejust Vintage Vibes

 

Images:

Unless stated otherwise - ATOWAK

 

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