Konstantin Chaykin has launched a limited edition titanium version of its famous Joker watch.
The Konstantin Chaykin Joker watch was unveiled in BaselWorld-2017. Limited to 99 pieces, this stainless steel timepiece instantly became one of the most notable and discussed novelties of the year.
‘Joker’ watch was included in the short list of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève GPHG- 2017. The unique piece of ‘Joker’ made by Konstantin Chaykin in zirconium case especially for the charity auction Only Watch-2017, was sold for 45,000 Swiss francs. This is an excellent result taking into consideration the fact Konstantin Chaykin became the first Russian watchmaker to take part in this important and widely renown charity event.
Konstantin Chaykin consciously had made the decision to limit the production of ‘Joker’, intending to preserve the collector’s status of the watch, and he is going to keep the strict limitation in the future.
Production capabilities of his watch factory impose restrictions on the total output of watches: currently it is capable of making about hundred and fifty watches a year, and now Konstantin Chaykin accepts orders as early as 2019. Responding to the numerous requests of connoisseurs of high watchmaking from all around the world, Konstantin Chaykin has released a new ‘Joker Titanium’ limited edition made of high-tech, lightweight and durable titanium.
In watchmaking industry titanium is used as lightweight, durable and non-allergy alternative to stainless steel. Titanium parts are darker than steel, and therefore perceived as more technical, even brutal.
For the production of titanium parts for the case of ‘Joker Titanium’, Konstantin Chaykin manufactory has developed a special technic, allowing to maintain the high standards of finish previously stated in production of ‘Joker’ in stainless steel. The bezel of the case by tradition shows the most powerful poker hand ‘Five of a Kind’, the symbol of incredible luck.
The center of the titanium caseback of ‘Joker Titanium’ is engraved with the letter ‘J’, the rim of the caseback is engraved with serial number of the watch in a limited edition of 88 pieces.
For Joker watch, Konstantin Chaykin developed a unique complication module with a dual-disk time display (hours and minutes as Joker eyes) and moonphase indicator (as Joker smile). The complication module is completely conceived, designed and manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin.
Module is set on a reliable tried and tested automatic ETA 2824-2 caliber, the true workhorse of modern watch industry. Konstantin Chaykin’s ‘Joker’ speciality, the second crown that is fixed and equipped with corrector of moonphase indicator, is mounted on the left side of watch case.
Despite the fact that the complication module is always hidden from the owner’s eyes, all parts of the module are manually finished in accordance with the standards of high watchmaking. For example, rhodium plated platina is decorated by perlage finish.
The edges of platina, bridge of the time indication gear, levers, moonphase disk meticulously chamfered and polished, lateral surfaces of all the parts are processed by circumferential graining.
Moonphase disk and wheels are finished with fine circular graining, flat surfaces of levers and flat springs are decorated with a fine straight graining, and recesses around screws and axes are rounded and polished.
Konstantin Chaykin pays special attention to finish of bridge of the time indication gear: fine straight graining is applied to the surface of this part in contrast to the perlage that should be used according to strict rules of the classic art of watch movement finishing. Master is sure that bridge in this particular version of finishing looks especially impressive.
Konstantin Chaykin manufacture presents a new ‘Joker Titanium’ enriched with famous dial resembling Joker’s face, smiling any time. Decoration of the dial of new ‘Joker Titanium’ was slightly modified.
New dial is embellished with special guilloche pattern with small step, once upon a time successfully used by the great Russian jeweler Carl Faberge. The nose of Joker face is decorated using unique guilloche pattern, which was designed by Konstantin Chaykin for ‘Joker Titanium’.
Technical details
Model: Konstantin Chaykin Joker Titanium
Edition
Limited edition 88 pieces
Movement
Caliber K07-0, automatic winding
Base movement Swiss made ETA 2824-2
Complication module completely produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture
Movement dimensions diameter 31.5 millimetres; height 7.6 millimetres (incl. module)
Escapement lever escapement
Balance frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Power reserve: 38 hours when fully wound
Jewels: 33 (25 jewels for base movement, 8 jewels for module)
Module parts: 61
Functions
Regulator dial for hours and minutes, moon-phase display
Case
Titanium
Diameter: 42 millimetres
Height: 13.7 millimetres
Glass: Sapphire crystal with antireflective coating, diameter 34.5 millimetres
Case parts: 36
Dial
Finish: silver and ruthenium plating, two types of guilloche
Dial parts: 9
Strap
Black alligator leather strap with violet calfskin lining and green stitching
Konstantin Chaykin prong buckle in titanium