Linh is one of the few women in Vietnam known for her work painting tiny art pieces on watch faces. Her commissions for each watch start at a minimum of 15 million VND.

After graduating in industrial art from a university, Linh (34) initially pursued a career in aesthetics. Although she thought she had left behind the brushes and colors, a chance encounter brought her back to the art world, this time painting miniature artworks on watch faces.

In 2020, during the social distancing period due to the pandemic, Linh was inspired by her husband, a watchmaker, to start painting. At that moment, she conceived the idea of using watch dials as her canvas. "I am not one to do easy things. The more challenging and unique the task, the more I want to pursue it. Painting entirely by hand on a small watch face is a huge challenge," she explained.

Initially, Linh had to buy all kinds of paint available in the market and combine them to find a type that was easy to apply, adhered well to metal, and was durable. It also had to be thin enough to fit inside a watch without obstructing the hands. "Crafting brushes with tips as fine as a hair and enduring eye strain from painting under a microscope were unforgettable experiences when I first started," she recalled.

After numerous trials, her first products were born. One of her initial works, a painting of a fairy with long hair by a stream, took two weeks to complete. Although not perfect in her "professional" eyes, she wore it herself. Soon after, collectors discovered her art and started placing orders. Among them was a man from Ho Chi Minh City who requested a watch featuring a carp, symbolizing prosperity and progress, as a gift for his wife.

Her painted watch faces are not only recognized by domestic watch enthusiasts but also attract orders from the US, South Korea, and other countries. These often feature zodiac symbols or representations of the owner's birth year.

The price of painted watch faces starts at 15 million VND. For those requiring special materials like mother-of-pearl or precious metals, the cost is higher. Each artwork, from conceptual sketch to completion, takes at least two weeks.

In addition to her business and family commitments, Linh spends hours each day in front of a microscope painting these unique pieces.

The artist who paints tiny masterpieces on watch faces, earning tens of millions of VND, plans to embark on projects creating unique watches. She aims to combine hand-painting with watch engraving, creating zodiac-themed products for the Lunar New Year 2025.

Chi Hieu