Amy Eujeny, Korean luxury brand founded by Kim Young-Deok and Jeon Ji-Hyun. Focus on horology, jewelry, fragrances. Known for AE TN002 watch. | Horological Meandering

Amy Eujeny: Korean Haute Horology

Kim Young-Deok (Eugene Kim) and Jeon Ji-Hyun (Amy Jeon) formed Amy Eujeny in 2012. The Amalgamation of their English names was the basis for the brand name.

The Husband and Wife team had a vision to create the first truly Korean Luxury Brand focusing on Haute Horology that is made in Korea as well as Jewelry and Fragrances made at the highest level with International Partners.

Jeon Ji-Hyun the CEO applies her "Amy Standard" to all aspects of Jewelry Production and Developing Perfumes, in an Interview she stated that she had trouble with her partners in Italy and France who couldn't meet her "Amy Standard" and she had to push them to raise their game to produce luxury products in inline with her exacting standards.

Chairman Kim Young-Deok aka Eugene Kim is an Engineer by Profession who since the late 1980s worked in manufacturing machinery and parts for the Semiconductor sector. A chance visit to a watch store in Macao in 2010 inspired Mr. Kim to develop mechanical watches himself. When he returned to Korea he went to learn about Horology at an Academy in the Jongno area of Seoul. I think it's this one.

Then in 2012 he established a precision machinery division at his company Fine Technology in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province to research how to make watch movements and eventually expanded to a stand alone dedicated watchmaking facility in 2014.

The Watch that put them on the Map for me is their AE TN002 launched 2024/2025.

The 45mm case in titanium and Ceramic which is 11mm in thickness is inspired by the Tower of the Winds in Athens.

According to the GPHG "the AE1009-5 movement, an original creation by AMY EUJENY, features a linear arrangement of the balance wheel and escapement. This configuration not only optimizes mechanical flow but also serves as a visual centerpiece through its openworked architecture. The movement’s structure exposes the dynamic interplay of the gear train, offering an immersive view of its mechanical choreography.

Design elements such as the front-mounted bridge and ratchet wheel reinterpret the brand name and caliber number, drawing inspiration from automotive wheel design for a bold, sculptural effect. The lightweight feel and structural harmony further enhance its performance-driven elegance.

Hand-finished rose gold-toned bridges, heat-blued steel components, and meticulous detailing throughout reflect an uncompromising commitment to the art of haute horlogerie."

However

All of that for me completely misses the point of what makes this watch super cool and different. In order to understand that you have to put on the lens of someone who grew up with Japanese Anime in the 1970s and 80s.

Let's look at AE TN002 again in more detail (sounds like a Robot's model number)

Straight off the wrist of a Mobile Suit Gundam Pilot 😁

The Story however doesn't end here. Mr. Kim has the horological bug bad. He goes off and does a Collaboration with Tayeb Boussalia an independent watchmaker and owner of RADCLIFFe Watch Co.

Together they create the Vertixphere X1 that has a balance wheel that stands upright, directly confronting gravity. This vertically oriented design, carefully calibrated for vibration direction and weight distribution.

Source: GPHG, Amy Eujeny, Google Images, Instagram

economist.co.kr