This new Wristmon timepiece is based on the award-winning Clown watch made by Konstantin Chaykin.
The Clown watch, created by Konstantin Chaykin in the autumn of 2017, was the first variation of the original Joker design. This creation won the audacity prize at the GPHG 2018. By winning this award, Konstantin Chaykin also become the first Russian watchmaker to be awarded a prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
The award was celebrated in the Clown 2 Audacity watch, produced as a limited edition in 2019. The Russian master now announces the release of his new watch, Grimaldi the Clown.
The words ‘Grimaldi the Clown’ appear in the Charles Dickens-edited fictionalised biography of Joseph Grimaldi, Memoirs of Grimaldi, the Clown. Konstantin Chaykin devotes his new watch to Joseph Grimaldi, a great artist and the first clown to turn the genre from a show of somewhat low standards into a true artform.
Grimaldi enabled the clown, one of the standard characters of the traditional harlequinade, to come to the fore. In fact, he took centre stage. The image of the clown as created by Grimaldi, with his outrageous costume, face painted in white make-up with red triangles on the cheeks, accentuated black eyebrows and big, red lips in a mischievous grin, was carefully reproduced by Konstantin Chaykin on the dial of his latest Wristmon.
The dial of this timepiece is made in hues typical of the first Joker and many other Wristmons, and it would be no exaggeration to say that Grimaldi is a co-author of its design.
The name of the watch, on the bezel of the steel case, is written in Baroque script – chosen by Konstantin Chaykin exclusively for this model. The same font is used in the minute- and hour-markers of the branded Joker-indication time indicator discs, made in the form of the character’s eyes.
The caseback features a sapphire window – the first watch in the Clown series to be given this. Through the sapphire window one can see the entire disc rotor of the automatic winding system and its ‘mysterious’ design. It’s a design which has previously been used in the Dracula watch.
In the Grimaldi the Clown timepiece the master has chosen to adorn it with decorative overlays featuring the name of the watch, the manufacture, and a circus tent in the centre – in the form of a solar ring with the manufacture’s logo.
Joseph Grimaldi gave us another catchphrase, which appears in various shows and even the songs of some performers – “Here we are again!”
Konstantin Chaykin has marked his latest Wristmon with this phrase, albeit with restraint – if you didn’t know, you’d never guess!
The secret inscription “Here we are again!” is made in clear varnish on the moonphase indicator disc. Actually, the disc features two moons, though at any given time only one of them is visible. This is one of the characteristic features of the Joker-indication invented by Konstantin Chaykin for his Wristmons.
Technical details
Model: Konstantin Chaykin Grimaldi the Clown
Movement
Caliber K.07-0 with automatic winding
Base mechanism: Swiss-made Eta 2824-2
Indication module: Produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture
Caliber dimensions – Diameter: 31.5mm, thickness: 7.6mm (with module)
Escapement: Lever escapement
Balance frequency: 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Power reserve: 38 hours
Jewels: 33 (base caliber – 25 jewels, module – 8 jewels)
Module parts: 61
Functions
Joker-indication with discs for the hours, minutes, and moon phases
Case
Stainless steel, caseback with sapphire window
Case dimension – Diameter: 42mm, thickness: 13.7mm
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, diameter 34.5mm
Case components: 36
Dial
Finishing: Silvering, ruthenium coating, multi-layered lacquer coating, wave guilloche relief décor
Dial components: 12
Strap
Black alligator leather lined with calf leather, red stitching
Buckle
Produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture, classic, stainless steel
Edition
Limited edition of 38 pieces
