The recently launched Christiaan van der Klaauw CVDK Real Moon Joure Green Meteorite watch boasts a specially made Green Meteorite dial.
The CVDK Real Moon Joure represents a special interpretation of the brand’s iconic rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase.
The moon orbits around the earth every 29.530588853 days. The hand-made 3D miniature moon of this timepiece indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11,000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch.
The CVDK Real Moon Joure Green Meteorite watch is available in Stainless steel, Rose Gold and White Gold case versions. Diamond-set versions are also offered.
Measuring 40mm diameter, the case houses the self-winding CVDK7382 calibre with the CVDK Real Moon Joure module. Equipped with 35 jewels and two barrels, this movement provides an impressive power reserve of 96 hours.
Powered by a custom CVDK Real Moon Joure oscillating weight, this caliber is visible through the sapphire crystal glass. The rotor is engraved with planets, stars and the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Technical details
Case
Case and bezel material: High-quality steel, Rose Gold or White Gold
40 mm diameter
Sapphire crystal glass
Sapphire crystal case-back
Also available in diamond-set bezel versions
Movement
CVDK7382, automatic winding calibre
35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hour maximum
Complication: CVDK Real Moon Joure module
Functions
Hours and minutes
3D moon phase
Dial
Green Meteorite dial with white rhodium plated indexes
Strap
Black leather strap
Logo engraved steel folding clasp/ rose or white gold buckle
Suggested retail prices
With stainless steel case: € 39,950.
With stainless steel case and diamond-set bezel: € 57,450.
With rose gold case: € 60,450.
With rose gold case and diamond-set bezel: € 77,950.
With white gold case: € 65,750.
With white gold case and diamond-set bezel: € 83,250.
Master watchmaker Pim Koeslag has acquired a majority stake in the luxury watch atelier Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches. Koeslag will join the existing management team as Technical Director, along with Daniël Reintjes (CEO/Creative Director) and Maria Reintjes (Marketing Director) who will retain a share in the company.
Christiaan van der Klaauw started his own watch atelier and presented his first clock with astronomical complications in 1974. In 1989, he became an honorary member of the Swiss Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), the prestigious association of independent watchmakers.
In 1996, Christiaan van der Klaauw presented his first wristwatch, and in 1999, he presented the Planetarium, a wristwatch comprising the world’s smallest mechanical Planetarium.
In 2009, Christiaan van der Klaauw sold the company to the designer couple Daniël and Maria Reintjes with whom he had established a business relationship for ten years. Daniël and Maria immediately started repositioning the brand.
The new directors decided to focus exclusively on astronomical watches, and ‘Astronomical Watches’ was added to the name.
A new collection and beautiful astronomical complications ensued – including the Real Moon Joure with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world. In addition, two special Planetarium masterpieces were developed exclusively for the high jewelry Maison Van Cleef& Arpels.
In 13 years, they transformed the CVDK company into a niche atelier, becoming the only watch atelier in the world that is wholly devoted to the design and the production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches.
In 2016, CVDK was recognised as an Haute Horlogerie atelier by the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH). Last year, Daniël and Maria received the ultimate acknowledgement in watchmaking and were awarded the prestigious Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize for the CVDK Planetarium EiseEisinga at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).
With the arrival of master watchmaker PimKoeslag, continuity is guaranteed for the future of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches. Besides maintaining the existing business, more developments are planned, including a first in-house movement.
Pim Koeslag was born in 1981 in Almelo, The Netherlands. At the age of 18, he attended watchmaking school in Amsterdam, where he won the prize for the best watchmaker at school. This success gave him the opportunity to do an extensive training at Patek Philippe in Geneva. After his training he started working at Frederique Constant as Technical Director.
During this 20-year period as Technical Director, he developed no fewer than 30 calibres, among them a tourbillon, a minute repeater and a chronograph. Koeslag was also responsible for starting the luxury brand Ateliers deMonaco where he held the position of CEO.
After living and working in Geneva for over 20 years, it was time for a new phase in his life and the Koeslag family returned to the Netherlands. Right at the same time when Daniël and Maria Reintjes were looking to reinforce the company to prepare for the next phase for Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches.
The masterpiece Real Moon Stella Nebula was made in collaboration with Stella Polare in Tokyo, Japan. This unique timepiece series feature extremely rare ammolite gemstones.
Stella Polare is dedicated to sourcing the finest and most exclusive pieces from leading independent watch and clock makers in the world who can only be described as Horological Artists.
The World Jewellery Confederation classifies ammolite as a true gem, one of only three named in the last 300 years. Ammolite originates from prehistoric marine fossils that date back 71-million years. Tectonic pressure, heat and mineralization formed the gemstone.
The luminous color in each gem is unique and therefore no two Ammolite pieces are the same. Multiple layers of the natural gemstone material create a beautiful array of color. These rare ammolite gemstones are discovered and hand cut to maximize the inherently bright colors by Korite, leader in the ammolite industry since 1979.
The CVDK Real Moon Stella Nebula watch carries the brand’s iconic rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase. It is custom made out of white and black diamonds.
The moon orbits around the earth every 29. 5305889 days. The hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11,000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase indicator ever incorporated in a mechanical watch movement.
Technical details
Model: CVDK Real Moon Stella Nebula
Movement
CVDK7382, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hour maximum
Complication: CVDK Real Moon Joure module
Custom made Stella Pollare CVDK Real Moon Stella Nebula Rotor
Functions
Hours, minutes, complication; 3D moon phase; the watch is equipped with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world.
Reference CKSP7794
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, ammolite.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Reference CKSP7894
Case: White gold, diamond set in white gold bezel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, ammolite.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Custom made with white and black diamonds.
Reference CKSP1194
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, ammolite.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Introduced in 2020, this extra-ordinary astronomical watch by Christiaan van der Klaauw pays tribute to Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium, the oldest working Planetarium in the world.
Suspended from the ceiling of the living room of a beautiful canal house in Franeker, is the oldest still working planetarium in the world. This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by the Frisian wool comber, Eise Eisinga.
Eise Eisinga was born in Dronrijp on February 21, 1744. He attended primary school there. Like many children, at that time, he had to work at home, which his case was in his father’s wool combing establishment. In addition to combing wool, he inherited his father’s interest in matters such as astronomy and mathematics.
Eise Jeltes Eisinga (21 February 1744 – 27 August 1828)
He was so curious that he went to Franeker every week, where he studied Euclides’s maths books with Willem Wijtses, a wool dyer. At the age of 24, Eisinga married Pietje Jacobs, after which he settled in Franeker in 1768, working as a wool comber.
On May 8, 1774, a special constellation of planets formed. In the early morning, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the moon were positioned closely in the sky. It was claimed that the mutual forces of these celestial bodies would knock the earth off its path and cause it to be burned up by the sun. A preacher from Bozum, Eelco Alta, made this prediction. In April 1774, the Leeuwarder Courant published a piece about this.
His piece of writing carried the title: ‘Philosophical concerns about the conjunction of the planets’. Alta’s ideas caused a lot of unrest among the population. The authorities attempted to intervene by banning the piece of writing, but the damage had already been done.
Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker, Friesland, Netherlands
Eisinga’s vast knowledge of mathematics and astronomy came in handy when, in May 1774, turmoil broke out in response to Eelco Alta’s prediction. In order to give the people a correct picture of the solar system, he built a model of the solar system in his living room. Only seven years passed between his very first idea and the final realisation of this project. Since 1781, Eisinga’s model has closely followed the paths of the 6 planets in our solar system. This makes it the oldest still-functioning planetarium in the world.
Christiaan van der Klaauw’s Planetarium timepiece incorporates the smallest mechanical planetarium mechanism in the world, showing real time the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the sun. The watch also indicates the minutes, hours, date and month.
Equipped with the in-house developed module, Planetarium is one of the most complicated watches created by Christiaan van der Klaauw. This extremely complex mechanical watch is a fitting tribute to the grand masters of planetarium design such as Nicolaas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Christiaan Huygens and Eise Eisinga.
The PLANETARIUM Eise Eisinga watch was made in a very limited edition of only 6 steel and 6 rose gold models, with each of the 6 watches boasting its own unique planet name.
Measuring 40mm diameter case made of stainless steel or 18K rose gold, this watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal glass on the front. It houses an automatic mechanical movements equipped with 35 jewels and twin barrels, which provide an impressive power reserve of up to 96 hours.
The oil-painted dial of the watch was created by Gaël Colon. It features applied rose-gold Roman numerals for 1, 2, 3,9,10 and 11 hour-markers. The 12-h marker is replaced with the Christiaan van der Klaauw logo. The watch does not feature any hour-markers on the lower dial part for ensuring more focus on the planetarium complication.
The CVDK PLANETARIUM Eise Eisinga watch features two centre hands in rose gold to indicate the hour and minutes respectively. A sub-dial at 12 o’ clock with two gold hands displays the date and month. The planetarium is placed at 6 o’ clock.
The sapphire crystal case back affords the spectacular view of the self-winding movement and its artistically engraved oscillating weight, which highlights planets, stars and the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’ as well as the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Movement
CVDK7386, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hour maximum
Complication: CVDK Planetarium module
The rotor is engraved with planets, stars and the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw
Functions
Hours, minutes, date and month
Planetarium: the watch is equipped with the smallest mechanical Planetarium in the world, showing the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun.
Case
Case material: High quality steel or Rose gold
Case diameter: 40 mm
Sapphire crystal front glass
Sapphire crystal case-back
Each case is uniquely engraved with the name of one of the 6 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn.
Dial
Oil painted dial made by the artist Gaël Colon, rose gold plated indexes.
Planetarium with customized colored hand painted planets.
Strap
Black leather
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp/ rose gold buckle
Limited Edition
6 unique watches in steel, each uniquely engraved with the name of one of the 6 planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn.
The magnificent CVDK Supernova watch completes the ‘nova’ family together with the CVDK Hypernova. This elegant watch has a beautiful super luminova moon phase indication and a very useful triple calendar display.
The super luminova moon phase can be read at the 6 o’clock position. When the Moon is left of the centre, it is in its first quarter. When the Moon is in the centre, it is full Moon and right of the centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, it is new Moon.
The CVDK Supernova watch features a large steel case measuring 44 mm in diameter. It houses an automatic movement that drives day, date, month and moonphase functions in addition to basic timekeeping.
Visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, the CVDK SUPERNOVA rotor is based on the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Technical details
Movement
CVDK7760, automatic winding, 25 jewels
Power reserve: 48 hour max.
Launched in 1999, the Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Planetarium watch features the smallest mechanical heliocentric planetarium in the world. It displays real time the solar orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It also shows you the minutes, hours, date and month. In 2013, Christiaan Van Der Klaauw introduced the new generation of the brand’s iconic astronomical watch.
The new series of CVDK Planetarium watches are equipped with the Caliber 7386 automatic movement where as the old generation models house Cal.1196. The brand has also redesigned the dial lay-out.
The Planetarium display is now positioned at the 6 o’clock instead of 12 o’ clock. The new watch features a single sub-dial (at 12 o’ clock) for displaying the date and month where as old-generation models were provided with two sub-dials. In the new Planetarium edition, the seconds hand has been omitted.
The new models stand out with six applied Roman numerals for displaying the hours of upper dial side except 12H, where you will see the brand emblem. The Sun G is positioned exactly in the middle of the Planetarium. The planet closest to the Sun is Mercury. Mercury is followed by Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Planetarium is one of the most complicated timepieces in the Christiaan Van Der Klaauw collection. It is a fitting tribute to the grand masters of planetarium design such as Nicolaas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Christiaan Huygens and Eise Eisinga.
The new CVDK Planetarium watch is available in Steel, Rose Gold, White Gold and Platinum case versions as well as in various dial styles. The case diameter is 40mm.
Equipped with the CVDK Planetarium module and twin barrel, the 35 jewel self-winding movement provides a power reserve up to 96 hours. The rotor is engraved with planets, stars and the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Technical details
Movement
CVDK7386, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hours maximum
Complication: CVDK Planetarium module
Functions
Hours, minutes, complication; date, month
Planetarium; the watch is equipped with the smallest mechanical Planetarium in the world, showing the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT3304
Case: High quality steel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Aventurine glass (goldfluss) creating a star filled sky with white rhodium plated indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT33B4
Case: High quality steel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Aventurine glass in black (goldfluss) creating a star filled sky with white rhodium plated indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT3344
Case: High quality steel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Black with white rhodium plated indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT1124
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT7724
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT7824
Case: White gold, diamond set in white gold bezel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT7705
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Aventurine glass (goldfluss) creating a star filled sky with white rhodium plated indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Brown leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT7804
Case: White gold, diamond set in white gold bezel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Aventurine glass (goldfluss) creating a star filled sky with white rhodium plated indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Black leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CKPT2225
Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, rhodium plated Planetarium with coloured Sun and Earth.
Strap: Brown leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
The Hypernova automatic watch by Christiaan van der Klaauw combines a full chronograph with a day/night indication, an ingenious date display and a beautiful super luminova moon phase indication.
The super luminova moon phase can be read at the 6 o’clock position. When the Moon is left of the centre, it is in its first quarter. When the Moon is in the centre, it is full Moon and right of the centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, it is new Moon.
The CVDK Hypernova watch comes with a large stainless steel case, measuring 44 mm in diameter. The rotor of its automatic movement is based on the ‘Sun with 12 Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
CVDK Hypernova is available in three dial versions: Silver with blue indexes, Stone washed blue with white rhodium plated indexes, and Black with white rhodium plated indexes.
Technical details
Movement
CVDK7759, automatic winding, 25 jewels
Power-reserve: 48 hour max
Functions
Hours, minutes
Small seconds
Day/night indication
Day, date and month
Super-Luminova moon phase
Chronograph; 12-hour counter, 30-minute counter, seconds counter
Case
High quality steel case
Diameter: 44 mm
Sapphire crystal glass
Sapphire crystal case-back
Models
CVDK HYPERNOVA CKHN3326
Dial: Silver with blue indexes, Super-Luminova
Strap: Blue leather strap with logo engraved steel folding clasp
CVDK HYPERNOVA CKHN3366
Dial: Stone washed blue with white rhodium plated indexes, Super-Luminova
Strap: Blue leather strap with logo engraved steel folding clasp
CVDK HYPERNOVA CKHN3344
Dial: Black with white rhodium plated indexes, Super-Luminova
Strap: Black leather strap with logo engraved steel folding clasp
The CVDK Titan Perpetual watch is a tribute to the Dutch astronomer Mr. Christiaan Huygens who discovered the rings and the largest moon of Saturn named ‘Titan’ in 1655. This universal genius was also of great importance to the development of clocks and watches with his invention of the pendulum movement.
It is equipped with a perpetual calendar module and a beautiful moon phase indicator made out of mother of pearl and aventurine glass. The perpetual calendar always shows you the correct number of days of the month, even a display of the leap year is integrated. Furthermore it carries a hand-made Christiaan van der Klaauw micro-rotor.
Thanks to the special positioning of this micro-rotor a unique and clear view of the technical movement of the watch is provided. The sapphire crystal case-back also has a beautiful engraving of Mr. Christiaan Huygens.
Technical details
Model: CVDK Titan Perpetual CKTT3324
Movement
CVDK8801, automatic winding
29 jewels, power-reserve 42 hour max
Engraved micro-rotor
Functions
Hours, minutes
Day, date and month
Leap year indicator
Moon phase
Case
High quality steel, ø 44 mm
Sapphire crystal glass
Sapphire crystal case-back
Case-back with engraving of the universal genius Mr. Christiaan Huygens
Dial
Silver with blue indexes
Moon phase made out of Mother of Pearl and Aventurine glass (goldfluss)
Strap
Black leather
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp
Introduced in 2016, the CVDK Real Moon Joure Scorpio was the first model in a series of twelve unique zodiac sign watches from Christiaan van der Klaauw. Its beautifully engraved dial bears the signature of Kees Engelbarts, the famous master engraver.
The Christiaan van der Klaauw Real Moon Joure Zodiac Sign Scorpio watch is made with a special technique called ‘Mokume-gane’. First made in 17th-century Japan, Mokume-gane was used for decorating samurai swords. It is a metalworking procedure which produces a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns.
Furthermore this piece unique represents a special interpretation of the brand’s rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase. The moon orbits around the earth every 29.5305889 days. The hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11,000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch.
Technical details
Model: CVDK Real Moon Joure Zodiac Sign Scorpio, Unique Piece
Movement
CVDK7382, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hour max
Complication: CVDK Real Moon Joure module
Functions
Hours, minutes
Complication: 3D moon phase (the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world)
Case
Rose gold
Diameter: 40 mm
Sapphire crystal glass
Sapphire crystal case-back
Dial
Handcrafted dial made by master-engraver Kees Engelbarts
Strap
Black leather strap
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Based in Netherlands, Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches is the only atelier in the world that is completely devoted to the design and the production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches. This atelier was established in 1974 by Christiaan van der Klaauw, the most famous watchmaker in the Netherlands.
In 2014, the atelier celebrated its 40th anniversary of astronomical watches the fact that Christiaan van der Klaauw presented his first astronomical clock 40 years ago. He produced his first wristwatch with astronomical complications 20 years ago.
Christiaan van der Klaauw (1944) was born in Leiden, the city where the Netherlands’ greatest scientist of all times, namesake and inspiration Christiaan Huygens started his studies in 1645. Van der Klaauw attended the School for Instrument Makers (LiS) in Leiden, the curriculum established in 1901 at the initiative of Prof. Dr. Heike Kamerlingh Onnes.
Instruments
When Kamerlingh Onnes was appointed professor in experimental physics in 1882 it was common practice for the physicists to make their own instruments. The scientist considered this nonsensical and initiated the founding of the LiS. This trade school describes instrument makers as ‘handymen, puzzle solvers and inventors who use their technical knowledge and creativity to make just about anything conceivable’. This certainly applied and applies to Van der Klaauw who, in the course of his training, acquired practical experience at the Leidse Sterrewacht, the world’s oldest university-affiliated observatory, which was established in 1633. In this magical world of stars and planets Christiaan van der Klaauw’s love of astronomy burgeoned.
Celestial Bodies
Good instrument makers are able to make what their eyes can see and are certainly capable of making timepieces. The idea of combining the mathematically predictable movements of celestial bodies with a clock was an idea that was certainly not unique to Van der Klaauw.
Astronomical clocks had been made thousands of years earlier and the Netherlands had the Friesian Eise Eisinga (1744-1828), a virtuoso who had built a highly accurate planetarium in a house in Franeker. After Christiaan van der Klaauw had completed a clock maker’s course as well he moved from Leiden to Joure in 1967, where he started working for a producer of Friesian grandfather clocks.
Independent Watchmaker
In 1974 Van der Klaauw started his own business and presented his first clock, with astronomical complications. It was the start of an exceptional story that made him one of the best clockmakers in the world, saw him receive (in 1989) an honourable membership of the Swiss Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), whose members include watchmaking greats such as Vincent Calabrese, George Daniels, François-Paul Journe and Franck Muller.
In 1992, he won the award for the most innovative movement design for his Pendule Variable in Basel, Switzerland. Two years later he started with his first wrist watch, the CVDK Satellite du Monde – with astronomical complications, of course. The watch showed the time, day and date, as well as the moon phase, day and night indicator and the place on earth where it is exactly noon at the time you are looking at your watch. It remains an amazing and elegant watch even today.
In 1999 he presented the masterpiece CVDK Planetarium, equipped with the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world. Making wrist watches was the start of a new phase in the life of the Netherlands’ most important watch maker.
New Era
In 2009, a new era began for Christiaan van der Klaauw. He was succeeded by the Dutch designer Daniël Reintjes. Daniël Reintjes had known Christiaan for many years, ever since he had asked him to produce watches for his own designer label ‘Dark Rush’. He got on extremely well with the watchmaker he respected so highly, brought Maurice Doppert and Maria van Laar into the project as fellow shareholders and started repositioning the brand. The new directors decided to focus exclusively on astronomical watches; the phrase ‘astronomical watches’ was added to the brand name and models with new, beautiful astronomical complications were added. This new direction was immediately rewarded by winning the Watch of the Year award in 2011 and 2012.
Collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels
A unique event transpired at the SIHH in Geneva in January 2014. The legendary Van Cleef & Arpels presented its most complicated watch ever. The complication – a Planetarium module created exclusively for Van Cleef & arpels – was developed by Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical watches. This complex masterpiece was developed in three years. It has a self-winding mechanical movement containing 396 separate parts.The Planetarium with the name Midnight Planetarium Poetic Complication™ fits perfectly in the worldwide trend and increasing demand for astronomical watches as witnessed by watch brands.
The Christiaan Vander klaauw Signature
The main characteristic of the CVDK watches is the astronomical complication. Every watch has one or more complications that originate from astronomy. All watches feature the same, round case design. Each of CVDK watches is instantly recognisable, with the hour indexes above an imaginary horizon, the astronomical complication normally situated at the 6 o‘clock position, a radiantly decorated dial and a transparent caseback with a beautiful CVDK rotor.
And finally a stylised picture of the sun with 12 claws (Klaauw = claw) at 12 o‘clock, the sun’s zenith. All these beautiful timepieces are made with great attention for detail and only the finest and best materials are used for CVDK collection.
The atelier produces in such small quantities per year that each watch can be seen as a limited edition. All watches are therefore numbered.
Introduced in 2003, the CVDK Astrolabium watch from the Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Masterpieces collection draws its inspiration from the age-old astrolabes.
The Christiaan van der Klaauw Masterpiece Astrolabium watch not only displays the date, but also the mean local solar time, the time and the place where the Sun rises or sets, the position of the Sun and the Moon on the ecliptic, the position of the descending and ascending node of the lunar orbit (the dragon hand), and indicates both solar and lunar eclipse.
Made of rose gold, the 40mm diameter case houses the CVDK1198 automatic winding movement with an ingenious Astrolabium module.
The self-winding mechanism features a custom rotor based on the theme of the Astrolabium, in which the beautiful Azimuth lines are visible. The movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back.
The CVDK Masterpiece Astrolabium watch is available in two dial versions: Rose gold with black indexes and Silver coloured with black indexes. They come fitted with brown alligator leather straps.
Technical details
Name of the watch: Christiaan van der Klaauw Masterpiece Astrolabium
Movement
CVDK1198, automatic winding calibre with CVDK Astrolabium module
Functions
Hours, minutes
Astrolabe complication
Dragon hand indicates both solar and lunar eclipse
Model: CVDK ASTROLABIUM CKAL1115
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal front glass and sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Rose gold with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
Strap: Brown alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CVDK ASTROLABIUM CKAL1125
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal glass and sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver coloured with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
Strap: Brown alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
The beautifully crafted dial of this new timepiece from Christiaan van der Klaauw was made by Kees Engelbarts, the famous master-engraver. This classical beauty represents a special interpretation of rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase. The moon rotates around the earth every 29,530588853 days.
The hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11.000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch. The rotor of the automatic winding movement is based on the theme of the Real Moon series, in which the Moon is shown in detail.
Technical details Movement
CVDK7382, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel, power-reserve; 96 hour max., complication; CVDK Real Moon Joure module
Functions
Hours, minutes, complication; 3D moon phase; the watch is equipped with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world
Case
Rose gold, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back
Dial
Handcrafted dial made by master-engraver Kees Engelbarts
Strap
Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Christiaan van der Klaauw, the only atelier in the world that is completely devoted to the design and the production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches, celebrates 40 years of astronomical complications with the limited edition model the CVDK Real Moon Joure 40Y.
This horology masterpiece represents a special interpretation of the rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase. The moon rotates around the earth every 29,530588853 days. A hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11.000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch.
The automatic movement equipped with twin barrels has a power reserve up to 95 hours. The rotor is based on the theme of the Real Moon series, in which the Moon is shown in detail. The Real Moon Joure 40Y will be limited to 40 watches.
Technical details Movement
CVDK7382, automatic winding
35 jewels, twin barrel
Power-reserve: 96 hour max
Complication: CVDK Real Moon Joure module
Functions
Hours, minutes
Complication: 3D moon phase; the watch is equipped with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world
Case
High quality steel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back
Dial
Blue sunburst with the 40 years anniversary shield, signed by Christiaan van der Klaauw, white rhodium plated indexes
Strap
Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp.
The Real Moon series from the Astronomical Watches line by Christiaan van der Klaauw has several masterpieces with a three-dimensional miniature Moon at the 6 o’clock position as a unique complication. Each Real Moon watch displays the current phase of the moon by means of a rotating moon. It takes the moon 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes (29,530589 days) to rotate around the Earth. The complication in the Real Moon Joure deviates from this by only 1 day in every 5400 years. The Real Moon Joure, the beautifully crafted, pristine watch, in all its simplicity, looks breathtaking with as a unique ‘eye catcher’ the rotating Moon. Technical details
Movement: CVDK 1094 modified self-winding movement with in-house Real Moon module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; three-dimensional moonphase.
Models Model 1: CVDK real moon Joure CKRJ3344
Case: High quality steel, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Black with white rhodinated indexes.
Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding buckle.
Model 2 : CVDK real moon Joure CKRJ1124
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model 3 : CVDK real moon Joure CKRJ7724
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Note: The Real Moon 1980 line offers, besides the three-dimensional Moon, several other complications such as declination of the sun; eclipse hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Orion is a clearly visible constellation that can be used to locate other outstanding constellations and stars. The constellation of Orion consists of several stars, the best-known being the orange giant star Betelgeuse, and Rigel.
Christiaan van der Klaauw has chosen the name Orion for a very remarkable watch. This distinct design of Christiaan van der Klaauw has a so-called Planisphere as astronomical complication. A planisphere (also called ‘celestial plane’) is a celestial chart by means of which one can recognize stars and constellations.
The dial shows a celestial map with zodiac signs that makes a full rotation every sidereal day. A sidereal day is 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds. Above the dial, a window held in place by the hour indication, through which the stars visible at a certain moment can be seen. The celestial chart contains stars and constellations that can be seen from the northern hemisphere. Technical details Model: CVDK orion CKOR 3366
Movement: CVDK 1072 modified self-winding movement with in-house Orion module.
In Greek mythology the beautiful Ariadne was the immortal wife of the god of wine Dionysus. The beauty of Ariadne that swept Dionysus off his feet serves as a metaphor for the beauty of the ‘Ariadne’ timepiece of Christiaan van der Klaauw. It is the only chronograph in the collection, which gives the watch a sporty appearance that appeals to many admirers of Christiaan van der Klaauw.
This really beautiful watch has many functions. The day, date and month can be read at a single glance. The position of the Moon can be read at the bottom, in the six o’clock position. When the Moon is left of centre, it is in its first quarter. When the image is in the centre, it is full Moon. And right of centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, you see a beautiful starry sky in the window, and it is a new Moon. Apart from the hours, minutes and seconds, the ‘Ariadne’ has all functions that can be expected of a real chronograph. It even has a 30-minute and a 24-hour indication. Technical details Model: CVDK Ariadne CK AR 3376
Movement: CVDK 7770 self-winding chronograph movement with 25 jewels.
Hands: White coloured steel, white coloured 12-hour hand, red chronograph hand.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding buckle
CVDK Ariadne ROTOR *: The rotor is based on the ‘Sun with Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw. The rotor is engraved by Atelier Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Model: CVDK Ariadne CK AR 3175
Movement: CVDK 7770 self-winding chronograph movement with 25 jewels.
Ceres 1974 is a new astronomical timepiece from Atelier Christiaan van der Klaauw’s Collection of the Stars line. The watchmaker had already launched a timepiece named CERES some years ago. The Ceres 1974 is a brand new astronomical complication. The year 1974 refers to the foundation date of the Christiaan van der Klaauw atelier. At the ‘six o’clock position’ the phase of the Moon is shown.
The Moon has four phases: New Moon, in which the Moon is not visible; the First Quarter, in which the right-hand half is visible; then comes the Full Moon; and finally the Moon enters the Last Quarter, in which the left-hand side is visible. The classic watch has a modest design, and consequently radiates distinct class. Technical details Model: CVDK Ceres 1974 CKCR 3344 *
Movement: CVDK 2868 modified self-winding movement with in-house Ceres 1974 module.
CVDK Ceres 1974 ROTOR *: The rotor is based on the ‘Sun with Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw. The rotor is engraved by Atelier Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Independent watch maker Christiaan van der Klaauw makes use of the theme of Moon phases to create the astronomical timepiece: the Retro Moon. In the design of the Retro Moon, Christiaan van der Klaauw makes use of a retrograde function for the first time. The hand that indicates the phases of the Moon is equipped with this unique complication. After one lunar cycle, the hand jumps back to the start position.
The Retro Moon has a clear and recognisable design. The rays in the dial, which feature in most new designs of Christiaan van der Klaauw, are prominent. The stylish and austere design of the watch will especially appeal to those who like a combination of classical and modern features.
The Retro Moon module is entirely manufactured in house. Its retrograde hand shows the phases of the moon and is powered by the base movement. By means of sixteen different positions the snail cam makes a full rotation with every completed lunar cycle. The indication of the different Moon phases results from the lever connected thereto.
Technical details CVDK retro moon CK RT3344
Movement: CVDK 1086 modified self-winding movement with in-house Retro Moon module.
Case: Rose gold, diamond set in rose gold bezel, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Black with rose gold plated indexes.
Hands: Rose gold plated steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle
CVDK RETRO MOON ROTOR: The rotor is based on the theme of the Retro Moon, and shows a beautifully detailed Moon. The rotor is made of 18-carat gold and hand-engraved by Jochen Benzinger.
The ‘Satellite du Monde’ is based on the very first watch designed by Christiaan van der Klaauw, and is the homage to our two most important celestial bodies: the Son & the Moon. This classic timepiece watch features a rotating dial shows the position of the Moon in relation to the Sun. The outer ring shows the different time zones, which makes it the watch par excellence for people who travel a lot.
The CVDK Satellite du monde rotor is based on the ‘Sun with Claws’, the logo of Christiaan van der Klaauw. The rotor is engraved by Atelier Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Technical details
Model: CVDK Satellite du Monde CKSM 3376
Movement: CVDK 2882 modified self-winding movement with in-house Satellite Du Monde module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; day-night and world time indication; actual position of the Moon in relation to the Sun.
Venus, the second planet of our solar system has inspired Christiaan van der Klaauw to design this exceptional astronomical timepiece. The Venus timepiece is a remarkable creation because of its different design. Apart from the indication of time, the ‘Venus’ shows the date and the sign of the Zodiac in which the Sun is located. The position of Venus and the position of the Earth and the Moon are also shown on the impressive dial.
In keeping with reality, the date hand, Venus and the Earth turn anti-clockwise with the Month. The date is indicated by the red hand on the outer scale. The Sun is positioned in the centre of the dial. The red hand and the Earth are connected with each other, so that the hand and the Earth are always diametrically opposite each other.
On the second scale from the outer rim a division has been made showing the twelve signs of the Zodiac. On this scale, the red hand indicates the sign of the Zodiac in which the Sun is located. The orbit of Venus lies within the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The position of Venus as seen from the Sun (heliocentric) can be read directly. To determine the position of Venus from the Earth (geocentric), an imaginary line has to be drawn between the Earth and Venus. Parallel to this line, another line has to be drawn from the Sun in the centre of the dial. Now you can see – on the scale of the Zodiac – in which sign Venus is as seen from the Earth.
Technical details Movement
CK 1096 modified self-winding movement with in-house Venus module.
Functions
– Hours, minutes, month and Zodiac indication
– Orbit of the Earth and Venus around the Sun
– Orbit of the Moon around the Earth
Model Variations 1. Ref CK VENUS CKVN 1166
– Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: Goldfluss creating a star filled sky.
– Hands: Rose gold plated steel.
– Strap: Blue alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
2. Ref CK VENUS CKVN 1866
– Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; diamond set in rose gold bezel; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: Goldfluss creating a star filled sky.
– Hands: Rose gold plated steel.
– Strap: Blue alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
3. Ref CK VENUS CKVN 7766
– Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: Goldfluss creating a star filled sky.
– Hands: White coloured steel.
– Strap: Blue alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
4. Ref CK VENUS CKVN 7866
– Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; diamond set in white gold bezel; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: Goldfluss creating a star filled sky.
– Hands: White coloured steel.
– Strap: Blue alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
5. Ref CK VENUS 8 CKVN 2866 L (CK Venus 8 Limited Edition)
– Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm; diamond set in white gold bezel; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: Goldfluss creating a star filled sky.
– Hands: White coloured steel.
– Strap: Blue alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
– Edition: Limited edition of 8 pieces.
The ‘Eclips’ timepiece by Christiaan van der Klaauw is inspired from the two universal phenomena: Eclipses of Sun & Moon, both were always fascinated by people all world. This fascination is reflected in the design of Christiaan van der Klaauw, and he shows that he is a master in the field of astronomical complications. The watch is perfectly in balance, with the date indication on the left-hand side and the Moon indication on the right-hand side.
In the 12-hour position, the orbit of the Sun and Moon is shown in a window. At the bottom of the watch you can see where there is an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon at any moment on Earth. The classic modest design, perfect finish and beautiful details make the ‘Eclips’ one of the most splendid astronomical watches from the collection of Christiaan van der Klaauw. Model: CK ECLIPS CK EC1126
Movement: CK 1190 modified self-winding movement with in-house Eclips module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and month indication; shows the position of the Moon in relation to the Sun, separate hand indicates the eclipse of the Sun and the Moon.
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: White with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CK ECLIPS CK EC 7726
Movement: CK 1190 modified self-winding movement with in-house Eclips module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and month indication; shows the position of the Moon in relation to the Sun, separate hand indicates the eclipse of the Sun and the Moon.
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: White with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CK ECLIPS‘8‘Limited Edition CK ECLIPS 8 CK EC 2244 L
Movement: CK 1190 modified self-winding movement with in-house Eclips module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date and month indication; shows the position of the Moon in relation to the Sun, separate hand indicates the eclipse of the Sun and the Moon.
Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Black and grey with white rhodinated indexes.
Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
The ‘Astrolabium’ astronomical timepiece by Christiaan van der Klaauw takes its inspiration from astrolabe, a historical astronomy instrument used for determining the time by means of the position of the Sun and the stars .
Throughout history, various types were developed, but the best-known astrolabe is the so-called planispheric astrolabe, in which the celestial chart is shown as a rotatable disc. Astrolabes picture the celestial chart at a specific place and at a certain moment. This is realised by showing the firmament through symbols in a way that makes them easy to read. The history of the astrolabe begins over 2000 years ago when Ptolemy laid down the principles of the astrolabe in writing. In the Islamic World, the astrolabe was developed and refined further. Through Spain, the astrolabe was introduced in Europe in the 12th century. For more than 500 years, the astrolabe was the most important astronomical instrument until, halfway through the 17th century, other instruments took over the role of the astrolabe.
This watch, which has already achieved a legendary status, gives a wide variety of information. Not only can you read the date, but also the mean local solar time, the position of the Sun and the Moon on the ecliptic, the position of the descending and ascending node of the lunar orbit (the dragon hand), and the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon. On the watch, the time and the place where the Sun rises or sets on a particular day is indicated by the intersection of the sun hand and the outer circumference of the ecliptic ring. The sun hand gives the date, but also the local solar time.
The Moon moves, just like the Sun, along the ecliptic. The intersection of the moon hand with the outer circumference of the ecliptic ring gives the position of the Moon in its orbit around the Earth. If the intersection is on the western horizon, the Moon sets at that moment. The distance between the Sun and the Moon is an indication of the phase of the Moon. If the Sun and the Moon fully overlap, it is a new Moon. If they are directly opposite each other, it is a full Moon.
The third hand of the astrolabe is the dragon hand. In principle, the Sun and the Earth are in one plane (the ecliptic plane). The Moon, however, moves around the Earth in a plane at an angle of 5˚ in relation to the ecliptic. The Moon has two intersections with the ecliptic plane. The intersections, also called nodes, are indicated by the head and the tail of the dragon hand. When there is a full Moon, and the Moon is in one of its nodes, there is an eclipse of the Moon. When the Sun and the Moon fully overlap in one of the nodes, there is an eclipse of the Sun.
The CK Astrolabium models are available in rose gold or white gold cases and an additional model: CK Astrolabium 8 ‘Limited Edition’ in platinum which is limited to only 8 pieces.
Technical details Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 1166
Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Lacquered in three-colour blue with black indexes; Available in 6 different degrees of latitude.
Hands: Blued steel with Super-Luminova inlay.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 1115
Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: In-house rose coloured with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Brown alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 1125
Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: In-house silver coloured with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Brown alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 7766
Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Blue and silver lacquered with blue indexes; Available in 6 different degrees of latitude.
Hands: Blued steel with Super-Luminova inlay.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 7725
– Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
– Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
– Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: In-house silver coloured with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
– Hands: Blued steel.
– Strap: Brown alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM CK AL 7745
– Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
– Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
– Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: In-house black rhodium with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
– Hands: White coloured steel.
– Strap: Brown alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CK ASTROLABIUM 8 CK AL 2245L (CK Astrolabium 8 ‘Limited Edition’)
– Movement: CK 1198 modified self-winding movement with in-house astrolabe module.
– Functions: Hours, minutes, astrolabe; dragon hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
– Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
– Dial: In-house silver coloured with black indexes. Available in 18 different degrees of latitude.
– Hands: Blued steel.
– Strap: Black alligator leather.
– Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
The real Moon 1980 is an exclusive high end complication, which takes inspiration from a famous clock that Christiaan van der Klaauw made in 1980 featuring a miniature Moon. This beautiful masterpiece of horology combines a number of ingenious complications, and the most important is the true-to-life ‘miniature’ Moon the six o’clock position on the dial of the watch which depicts its actual phases.
At the 12 o’clock position, the height of the Sun in relation to the horizon can be read by means of a fine moving Christiaan van der Klaauw logo. The axis of the Earth’s rotation is tilted with respect to the position of the Sun. The result of this phenomenon – called declination – is that at places where the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, it is summer. Where it is winter, the Earth is tilted away from the Sun, and it is colder. The three o’clock position is reserved for the so-called Eclipse hand. When the Eclipse hand moves within the indication marks, there is an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon somewhere on the Earth. Finally, there is the nine o’clock position. Here, the phase of the Moon and the date can be seen. Technical details Model: CK real moon 1980 CK RL 1124
Movement: CK 1094 modified self-winding movement with in-house Real Moon 1980 module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, month; moonphase, declination of the sun; eclipse hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CK real moon 1980 CK RL 7724
Movement: CK 1094 modified self-winding movement with in-house Real Moon 1980 module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, month; moonphase, declination of the sun; eclipse hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CK real moon 1980 8 CK RL 2224 L (Limited Edition)
Movement: CK 1094 modified self-winding movement with in-house Real Moon 1980 module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, month; moonphase, declination of the sun; eclipse hand indicates solar and lunar eclipse.
Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm. anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver and black with blue indexes.
Hands: Rose gold plated steel, blued steel second hand.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
Limited edition of 8 pieces
With in this watch, celebrated master watch maker Christiaan van der Klaauw has created a smallest mechanical planetarium in the world.
The CK MASTERPIECE Planetarium timepiece from the atelier of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches in Joure, takes its inspiration from legendary astronomical timepieces including one created by Eise Eisinga (1744-1828), the oldest operative mechanical planetarium in the world.
This timepiece is equipped with the smallest planetarium in the world and gives not only the time, date and Month, but also the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun.
The first written reference with respect to a mechanical model of the Sun, Moon and planets is over 2000 years old. The instrument described in the document was made by Archimedes who lived 200 years earlier. Since those days, numerous astronomical timepieces have been built.
Between this oldest-known planetarium of Archimedes and the smallest planetarium of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches the most splendid specimens with ingenious drives and clever gear constructions have been manufactured. Given their special construction, a number of these are worth mentioning.
A very ingenious and therefore very special specimen is the afore-mentioned masterpiece of Archimedes. This instrument is known as the ‘Antikythera machine’, named after the Greek island of Antikythera where divers found fragments of this instrument in 1901. The instrument contained more than twenty cogwheels, some of them with spokes. The gear train used was a so-called ‘epicycloidal’ gear train. The characteristic of such a gear train is that a number of cogwheels are placed in a frame that, as a whole, rotates around a cogwheel that stands still or has its own movement.
It is not really surprising that this type of transmission was used in those days. It was still assumed that the Earth was the centre of the universe, and that the Sun, Moon and other planets circled around a centre. This centre, in its turn, circled around the Earth. The first circle was called the epicycle, whereas the circle around the centre of the epicycle was called the deference. This theory is known as the geocentric worldview of Ptolemy.
Geocentric means that the Earth is in the centre. The extraordinary thing about this theory is that it persisted for such a long time. This was probably because with this theory, which was based on a wrong point of departure, it was nevertheless possible to make good predictions as to the position of Sun, Moon and planets.
It was not until 1543 that this theory came to an end. The worldview of Ptolemy was changed by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543). His ideas encountered much resistance, especially from the churches. In 1543 he published his theory that not the Earth but the Sun forms the centre of our solar system in ‘De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium’.
This theory is known as the heliocentric worldview of Copernicus. He argued that in this way it was much simpler to explain the different celestial phenomena. In his view, the Earth had its own rotation, and the planets – including the Earth – revolved around the Sun. The system as pictured by Copernicus was, however, still not quite complete. He put the Sun in the centre, but the planets orbited the centre of the earth’s orbit.
After Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), who laid the foundation of modern astronomy with his laws of the planetary motion, it became much easier to build planetariums. This was because the Sun was placed in the centre, and the planets described ellipses around the Sun. This was the end of the system of epicycle and deference.
A well-known planetarium from that period is that of the Dutch physicist Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695). He placed the cogwheels that drive the planets eccentrically relative to the centre. In this way, the position of the planets was indicated fairly accurately. They thus move according to Kepler’s second law.
Although there are many planetariums worth mentioning, that of Eise Eisinga (1744-1828) in Franeker, Friesland (the Netherlands), is important for Christiaan van der Klaauw because it was this planetarium that inspired him in his work. Eise Eisinga built his planetarium in the period 1774-1781 and, after 200 years, it is still operative. This makes it the oldest operative mechanical planetarium in the world.
Some of Christiaan van der Klaauw’s top pieces can be found in the museum of Eise Eisinga. The CK Planetarium is one of the most famous creations of the master watch maker and is an ultimate demonstration of precision and traditional handwork.
Technical details
Name of the watch: Christiaan van der Klaauw CVDK MASTERPIECE Planetarium
Movement
CK 1196 modified self-winding movement with in-house Planetarium module.
Functions
The watch is equipped with the smallest heliocentric planetarium in the world and displays not only the time, date and month, but also the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun.
Models
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 1126
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: White with blue indexes, lacquered planetarium including coloured planets.
Hands: Blued steel with red second hand.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 1144
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver and black with black indexes, black rhodinated planetarium including planets.
Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 1844
Case: Rose gold, ø 40 mm; diamond set in rose gold bezel; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back. Dial: Silver and black with black indexes, black rhodinated planetarium including planets. Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved rose gold buckle
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 7726
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: White with blue indexes, lacquered planetarium including coloured planets.
Hands: Blued steel with red second hand.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 7744
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver and black with black indexes, black rhodinated planetarium including planets.
Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM CK PT 7844
Case: White gold, ø 40 mm; diamond set in white gold bezel; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back. Dial: Silver and black with black indexes, black rhodinated planetarium including planets. Hands: White coloured steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved white gold buckle.
Model: CVDK PLANETARIUM 8 CK PT2244 L (CK Planetarium 8 Limited Edition)
Case: Platinum, ø 40 mm; anti-reflection sapphire crystal; transparent case-back.
Dial: Silver with black indexes, black rhodinated planetarium including planets.
Hands: Blued steel.
Strap: Black alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved platinum buckle.
Edition: Limited production of 8 pieces
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