The CTK Collection by Chinese Timekeeper

The Hong Kong based luxury watch brand, Chinese Timekeeper has been specialized in the manufacturing of exclusive timepieces of Chinese heritage.

Timepieces from their flagship CTK Collection are crafted-in-China by finest watchmakers of the country. All the details in a CTK have been carefully thought-out, bringing a truly exquisite timepiece to the world.

Not only is the heritage of the timepieces unique, their manufacturing is loyal to their roots, to the Chinese values of excellence and craftsmanship. The CTK Second Collection is made of 14 references for a limited production of 480 pieces. All pieces are engraved with a unique and exclusive serial number.

Finding its inspiration in the footsteps of its illustrious Chinese ancestors, The Chinese Timekeeper is paying homage to Su Song’s revolutionary clock tower. Indeed several distinctive elements of a CTK timepiece have been designed with the work of Su Song in mind.

Notably so is the revolutionary shape of the case which has been ingeniously engineered to respect, first with an oversized diameter of 44mm, the round and impressive shape of Su Song’s Great Driving Wheel. The central wheel was large of 3.35m in diameter and carried 36 scoops on its circumference, taking in excess of 9 hours to completely fill and consuming in the process about half a ton of water.

Secondly, the other central piece in Kaifeng’s clock tower was the five-story pagoda from which bystanders could hear and see the display of time. Based on the architecture of an Ancient Chinese Pagoda, the case of a CTK is strikingly composed of four layers or rings made of stainless steel 316L, which are held together by four large screws on the bezel and four smaller screws on the back case. The preeminence of the screws is reminiscent of the roughness of the construction of the old tower.

Another element worth noting on a The Chinese Timekeeper lies in the construction of its breathtaking buckle. Chinese astronomers, to understand the heavens used a tool known as an armillary sphere. The construction of an armillary sphere, or celestial sphere, consists of a series of nestled rings, also named Circles of Heavens that rotate on a single axis around the Earth. Hence a CTK buckle, derived from the armillary sphere, has a never seen before shape representing one of the circles of the Heavens.

Let’s turn our attention to the dial, which has for particularity to have the Chinese character ‘十‘standing in place of the numeral 10. Most of the time in red, offering a great visual impact, is yet another link to the Chinese culture. Indeed, the number ten reminds of the famous Chinese saying “十全十美” meaning beautiful, complete or even perfect.

Chinese Timekeeper Automatic Collection

CTK02 – Date Automatic (Limited Edition of 18 pieces)

The CTK02 – Date Automatic is a modern timepiece featuring a full black PVD case with a navy blue dial with sunray finishing. The perfect round case is fitted with a crown at 2pm. Not only its construction is made of four superposed rings immediately reminding the wearer of a traditional Chinese Pagoda but also its silhouette is reminiscent of the great driving wheel of Su Song clock tower.

Manufactured in unusually limited numbers and meticulously assembled by experienced watchmakers, CTK02 is expected to be the piece of choice of an upcoming generation that will shape the future in the coming years.

The CTK02 has a power reserve of 36 hours, a water-resistance of five atmospheres and a dial protected by a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. It is also supplied with two black calf leather straps of white or black stitching. Finally, the beautifully shaped buckle, representing one of the circles of Heavens of an armillary sphere, will constantly remind the wearer of the illustrious origins of timepieces by the Chinese Timekeeper. This exclusive timepiece is available in a limited edition of 18 pieces only.

Technical specifications

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 6300 – Hangzhou Watch Company, diameter 26mm, thickness 4,6mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve

Functions
Hour, minute, second, date

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment
Bezel: Four large screws with black PVD treatment.
Back: Black, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “10CTK02” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
Navy Blue with sunray finishing. Applied numerals and Hours, minutes & seconds hands in shiny silver color. Date at 3 o’clock with rehaut in silver color. At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in shiny silver color.
Inner ring: Black matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Black calf leather with blue stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
Supplied with a second interchangeable black calf leather with black stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel with black matt PVD treatment. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
18 pieces

Retail Price
20,800HK$ // 1,900Euro (w/o VAT)

CTK 08 – Small Second Automatic (Limited Edition of 50 pieces)

The Chinese Timekeeper, CTK 08 Small Second Automatic model boasts strong contrast with black & white lines, its case structure is highly technical and has been created to perfection. The 4 distinctive rings of polished stainless steel and black PVD form a duo that we already love and that illustrate perfectly its Chinese pagoda inspiration.

The four structural screws insure a water resistance of 50m. The CTK08 is an imposing watch with a strong character due to the sharpness of his features. However this piece still does not lose touch with its intrinsic elegance and simplicity.

Technical specifications

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2718 – Tianjin Watch Company, diameter 26mm, thickness 5,12mm, 20 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 30 hours power reserve.

Functions
Hour, minute, small second

Case
Diameter 44 mm, made of an alliance of 2 rings of polished AISI 316L stainless steel and 2 rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment.
Bezel: Four large screws with black PVD treatment and tubes protecting the screws in polished Stainless steel.
Back: Polished Stainless steel, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “11CTK08” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
Black dial base with circular finishing. Applied numerals and Hours, minutes & seconds hands polish stainless steel color.
At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in polish stainless steel color.
Inner ring: Black matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Double black calf leather with white stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
Supplied with an interchangeable double black calf leather with white stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel with black matt PVD treatment. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
50 pieces

Retail Price
19,800HK$ // 1,800Euro (w/o VAT)

CTK 11 – Three Hands Automatic (Limited Edition of 50 pieces)

The CTK11 is a classic model. The Chinese Timekeeper, Three Hands Automatic is one of the most discrete pieces of the collection, while keeping a certain force of character unique to a CTK. The dial is simple, elegant and yet gives a feeling of toughness that goes quite well with the thick watch construction. On it you can find The Chinese Timekeeper logo, emblem of the originals Keepers of Time shining on the dial at 12 o’clock and the number ‘十’ further highlighting the Chinese origins of the timepiece.

The effect is even subtler since the hands also present a rare Chinese aesthetics. The first time hands are made in Chinese pattern, which once again emanates glorious Chinese Heritage of the brand. This Limited Edition comes in only 50 pieces.

Technical specifications

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2189 – Hangzhou Watch Company, diameter 27.4mm, thickness 4,74mm, 20 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.

Functions
Hour, minute, second

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of brushed AISI 316L stainless steel.
Bezel: Four large screws with tubes in stainless steel.
Back: Brushed stainless steel, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “12CTK11” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
Brushed silver with circular finishing. Applied numerals hours & minutes in brushed stainless steel color.
At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in brushed stainless steel color.
Inner ring: Stainless steel, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
‘Double layer tan&chocolate’ calf leather with chocolate stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
Supplied with a second interchangeable ‘double layer black&black calf leather’ strap with black stitching and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Stee. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
50 pieces

Retail Price
15,800HK$ // 1,450Euro (w/o VAT)

Chinese Timekeeper – Chinese Double Hour Automatic

Chinese Timekeeper has also presented a timepiece collection reflecting the uniqueness of the Chinese 12 ‘double hours’ system. Fascinated by the stories and the central part of the Zodiac signs in Chinese culture The Chinese Timekeeper has created the very first timepiece reflecting time as Chinese first represented.

CTK 15 – Chinese Double Hour Automatic (Limited Edition of 28 pieces)

The Chinese Timekeeper – Chinese Double Hour Automatic reflects on the original Chinese way of representing the time. Its 24 hours movement hidden under the most elegant of dials read respectfully the time from the hour of the Ox to the hour of the pig. On a CTK15, a day starts at 11pm with for first marker the emblematic signature keeping the time for the first double hour until 1am.

The Chinese character for the Ox follows. Although the watch offers a perfect legibility due to its 2 tones navy blue dial, the complexity of the reading may look, to the less acquainted wearer, like a Chinese puzzle. Production is limited to 28 pieces only.

Technical specifications

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2846 – Tianjin Watch Company, diameter 26mm, thickness 5,76mm, 21 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.

Functions
“Double hours” & minute.

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment.
Bezel: Four large screws with tubes in stainless steel.
Back: Polished stainless steel, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “12CTK15” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
Dark & light blue dial base with 12 sunrays finishing. The 11 Chinese Zodiac characters are printed on the dial in shiny silver color.
At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in shiny silver colour.
Inner ring: Stainless Steel matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Blue Saffiano leather with blue stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
Supplied with a second interchangeable dark grey Saffiano leather with dark grey stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
28 pieces

Retail Price
22,800 HK$ // 2,100 Euro (w/o VAT)

CTK 16 – Chinese Double Hour Automatic (Limited Edition of 28 pieces)

The CTK16 is a revolutionary watch featuring a dial made of the 12 Chinese “double hours”. The hands will only circle the dial once over the course of 24hours respecting a system that was the first used in ancient China.

Another feature of this watch is its strap, which strongly and comfortably wraps itself around the writs. Its construction, with the use of 2 calf layers of different colours gives it a stylish finishing touch that enhances the overall look of the timepiece. The most obvious particularity of this watch is the contrast between the enamel and the PVD coating of the case.

Technical details

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2846 – Tianjin Watch Company, diameter 26mm, thickness 5,76mm, 21 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.

Functions
“Double hours” & minute.

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment.
Bezel: Four large screws with black PVD treatment.
Back: Black, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “12CTK16” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
White dial base with 12 sunrays finishing. The 11 Chinese Zodiac characters are printed on the dial in shiny black.
At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in shiny black.
Inner ring: Black matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Double black calf leather with black stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’. Supplied with an interchangeable double black calf leather with white stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel with black matt PVD treatment. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
28 pieces

Retail Price
23,800 HK$ // 2,200 Euro (w/o VAT)

About The 12 ‘double hours’ system & Triple System of timekeeping

Since the times of ancient China, three timekeeping systems have been used, sometimes simultaneously.

The 12 ‘double hours’ system: The first was a system of dividing the full day into 12 ‘double hours.’ The first of the double hours started at our modern equivalent of 11 pm, therefore lasting until 1 am. Each of these divisions was associated with a sign of the zodiac – starting with Tzu designating the Rat. In medicine, the 12 double hours are divided into four categories representing the seasons.

The 100 ‘quarters’ or “Ke” system: The second system is the division of the full day into 100 ‘quarters’ or ‘ke,’ equivalent to 14 minutes and 24 seconds. As time went on, this system was modified into 96 or 120 ‘Ke’ in order to be divisible by 60 and be in line with the duo decimal system. However, these reforms were never successful.

There were no dials, nor hands to display the time, but rather a wooden statuette, a statuette that became the keeper of time for 14 minutes and 24 seconds, embodied each quarter. These manikins, representing the eternal running of time, inspired The Chinese Timekeeper’s logo.

The five ‘night watches’ : The third system was the five ‘night watches’, a system therefore only applicable at night, as the sunset to sunrise was divided into five ‘Keng,’ each of which is again subdivided into five ‘Ch’ou’.

Chinese Timekeeper – Three Hands Automatic “Jade”

This collection consists of exclusive limited edition automatic timepieces featuring hand made indexes carved out of the purest Burmese Jade.

The collection consists of two models: CTK13-& CTK14. The “Chinese Timekeeper – Three Hands Automatic with Jade” models are stunning and unique and exuberate a true Chinese identity. The unique dial appeals to the heart and mind of the collectors of Chinese origin and also offers a rare visual treat with its 10 sparkling jade stones.

Nestled inside small protective tubes, 10 beats of the purest Burmese Jade circles sits perfectly a brushed steel dial. The intense green offers a fantastic contrast and visibility and highlights the signature logo at 12 O’clock and the emblematic ‘十’ at 10 O’clock.

For the black PVD version, the brand chooses a jade of a lighter shade to offer a greater legibility on the black dial. The brand name still discreetly engraved in the inner ring while the watch individual number is engraved on the back case.

CTK13 – Three Hands Automatic – Jade (Limited Edition of 38 pieces)

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2189 – Hangzhou Watch Company, diameter 27.4mm, thickness 4,74mm, 20 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.

Functions
Hour, minute, second

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel with black PVD treatment.
Bezel: Four large screws with black PVD treatment.
Back: Black, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “12CTK13” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres)

Dial
Black matt with circular finishing. The hours are personified by rare applied of jade. At 12 o’clock. The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in shiny gunpowder color.
Inner ring: Black matt, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Black Aligator with black stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’.
Supplied with a second interchangeable black calf leather with dark green stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel with black matt PVD treatment. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
38 pieces

Retail Price
28,800 HK$ // 2,650 Euro (w/o VAT)

CTK14- Three Hands Automatic – Jade (Limited Edition of 38 pieces)

Movement
Automatic mechanical, CTK 2189 – Hangzhou Watch Company, diameter 27.4mm, thickness 4,74mm, 20 jewels, 21,600 alternations/hour, 36 hours power reserve.

Functions
Hour, minute, second

Case
Diameter 44 mm, four rings of AISI 316L stainless steel.
Bezel: Four large screws in stainless steel inside their protective tubes.
Back: Stainless Steel, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo with the millesimation number. Around it: “The Chinese Timekeeper”, “stainless steel”, serial number “12CTK14” & water resistance “50m”.
Crown: Winding crown, engraved with The Chinese Timekeeper logo.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflecting coating.
Water- resistance: 5 bar (~50 metres).

Dial
Stainless steel dial base with circular finishing. The hours are personified by rare applied of jade. At 12 o’clock, The Chinese Timekeeper logo is applied in stainless steel color.
Inner ring: Stainless steel, engraved with: “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Strap
Black Safari Aligator with black stitching. The lining leather is marked ‘The Chinese Timekeeper’. Supplied with a second interchangeable chocolate calf leather with chocolate stitching strap and a steel screwdriver.
Buckle: Deployant buckle in Stainless Steel. Unique circle engraved “The Chinese Timekeeper”.

Limited Edition
38 pieces

Retail Price
28,800HK$ // 2,650Euro (w/o VAT)

Other Models from CTK Collection

• Date Automatic – CTK1, CTK 2 & CTK 3

• Small Seconds Automatic – CTK 4, CTK 5 & CTK 6

Chinese Timekeeper – Historical Connection

Time and China – The beginning

Timekeeping in China can be traced all the way back to its first dynasty, the Shang (1600BC until 1100BC). During that time, people were mostly rural farmers and did not need to know the precise time. Therefore the day was only separated into two sections: ‘Ch’u’, which was from ‘just before dawn’ and ended with the morning. The second part of the day, called ‘Cheng’ went from midday until ‘just after dusk’.

In agriculture, drums and trumpets were still used to dictate the time, but varied greatly with weather, seasons, and farming requirements. In city life, craftsman could only work until the last glimpse of natural light.

For the Emperor’s servants punctuality was replaced by circumstances and productivity was measured by one’s ability to stay busy. However under the commandment of the emperor a great number of astronomers and engineers paved the way of today’s watchmakers with their crucial inventions. Those are such men:

Armillary Sphere: Zhang Heng’s Heritage

Zhang Heng (78-139) was Han dynasty’s most influential scholar. He is credited with several major accomplishments. Amongst many inventions, Zhang Heng created the first seismometer, which allowed the Han Government to send quick aid and relief to areas devastated by earthquakes. Many lives were saved as a result of its speed, accuracy and effectiveness.

Zhang Heng’s Heritage for the horology arises from his invention of the first water driven armillary sphere, which shows the workings of the celestial sphere considering a point of view from Earth. Astronomers and other scientists to understand the heavens used this device. So is The Chinese Timekeeper with its unique buckle respecting the shape of one of the Sphere of Heavens of an armillary sphere.

Gears: Ma Jun’s Heritage

Ma Jun (220-265) is known as one of the most brilliant mechanical engineers and inventors of the Three Kingdoms era of China. His most notable invention was that of the south pointing chariot, a directional compass vehicle that actually had no magnetic function, but was operated by use of different gears. Even though Ma Jun did not apply his invention to timekeeping, he created one of its decisive characteristics: mechanical gears.

Indeed, he was the first combining the use of different gears, which applied equal amount of torque to driving wheels rotating at different speeds. This physical theory is one of the leading principles in any mechanical watch, which now use a combination of dozens of gears. Every The Chinese Timekeeper watch is a beautiful reminder of the long forgotten origins of this central element.

The escapement: Yi Xing’s Heritage

Yi Xing (683–727) was a Buddhist monk around whom many legends have grown. Only a small portion of his work has survived so it is difficult to appreciate it in detail. There is, however, no reason to doubt his involvement in two major astronomical achievements, with one particularly relevant for modern timekeeping: the measurement of the length of a meridian line and the invention of the first water driven escapement.

In mechanical watches and clocks, an escapement is a device, which converts continuous rotational motion into an oscillating or back and forth motion. Without this device, there would be no mechanical clock. A water driven escapement was also present in Su Song clock tower and as such one of the greatest achievements that The Chinese Timekeeper pays tribute to.