Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin has developed a wristwatch that can be used both on the surface of our planet and by the future conquerors of the Mars.
The Mars Conqueror watch offers simultaneous indication of local time and standard or UTC time on Earth, of average solar time on Mars, and of additional space and astronomical functions. This timepiece boasts 8 complications in total.
Caliber K20-1, the original version of the Mars Conqueror MkI prototype movement and the prototype watch were presented to public in Moscow on July 27, 2018.
On 12th April 2019 during the Basel-world fair, Konstantin Chaykin unveiled his Mars Conqueror watch. The date of official presentation was chosen because it is the International Day of Human Space Flight, celebrated annually around the world in honor of anniversary of the first manned space flight, which was performed on April 12, 1961 by the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on the Vostok-1 spacecraft.
The development of the first truly Martian and fully mechanical complicated watch is a long and laborious process. During testing the first prototype of the Mars Conqueror watch therefore described by Konstantin Chaikin as “Mars Conqueror MkI”, the performance and functions of the originally developed movement was confirmed entirely.
The testing had revealed two minor technical bugs that, however, do not have a destructive effect on the overall functionality of the watch. Nevertheless, Konstantin Chaykin had decided to improve Caliber K20-1.
In particular he eliminated the backlash of the wheel system of the Martian time dial as well as modified the design of the rocking bridge in the Martian time indication module, thus allowing to disengage wheel without switching the module to the correction of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), that was necessary in the original design of Caliber K20-1.
Alongside with the improvement of the complicated watch mechanism Konstantin Chaykin had decided to develop a new design of the Mars Conqueror watch. The design of the original prototype Mars Conqueror MkI was inspired by the dashboard instruments of the 1960s Soviet spacecrafts, the same approach will be held by Konstantin Chaykin in further developments of Mars Conqueror watch.
The shape of Mars Conqueror MkI case was determined by the unusual watch movement formed as triangle. Thanks to that the movement itself got the dynamic futuristic outlines of a spacecraft.
Unique and extraordinary appearance of the watch was further emphasized by the use of three separate dials, intended for the indication of Earth time (in the center), of Martian time (leftward) and of Martian date accompanied by the indicator of planets astronomical position (rightward; may also be used to indicate the duration of the Martian mission in soles).
The dials’ distinctive appearance with technically styled scales, drawn in a minimalistic military way, is perfectly paired with an unusual multifaceted titanium case of complicated shape and specific softly rounded bezel adorned with refined matte finish.
Therefore, Mars Conqueror MkI watch looks like impressive implementation of 1960s space technology style. The conical crown, placed into case recess at 6 o’clock, instantly resembles the shape and finish of the nozzle of a spacecraft’s jet engine.
The watch is fitted with a white leather strap with contrasting orange stitching and distinctive decoration by white fabric used for tailoring Russian space suits.
Technical details
Model: Konstantin Chaykin Mars Conqueror MkI Prototype
Movement
Caliber K20-1, automatic winding
Base movement: Swiss made Eta 2836-2
Complication module completely produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture
Movement dimensions: 51.2 х 32.6mm; height 8.0mm (incl. module)
Module parts: 175
Case
Titanium case
Dimensions: 60 х 48.5mm (with lugs), 60 х 40mm (without lugs); height 15.0mm
Watch crystals: 3 sapphire glasses with antireflective coating, diameters 18.5mm, 15.7mm and 15.7mm
Case parts: 74
Caseback: Titanium, with sapphire glass; Martian time, Martian date and planets indicator correctors
Dials
Finish: matt black lacquer
Dials parts: 5
Strap
White leather with inserts of white fabric of space suit, calf leather lining, orange stitching
Buckle: Konstantin Chaykin prong buckle in titanium
