ARROWS OF TIME
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TURN BACK TIME?
The answer is: “Impossible” – that is what the concept of the ‘arrow of time’ means. Is it possible to travel back in time in your thoughts and dreams? Yes, of course, and anyone can. Some time ago, when Konstantin Chaykin was thinking about the new, nameless piece, he decided to go back to 2005 in his memories. Back then, he refused to continue working on the project of a table clock with a tourbillon, perpetual calendar and fusee and chain transmission. Instead, he developed the unexpected idea of a clock with a mechanical orthodox Easter date display, which completely captivated him.
The desire to invent something new and break new ground prompted the watchmaker to turn away from developing clocks and watches with traditional complications. However, in the fall of 2021, Konstantin Chaykin returned to the abandoned project to redesign it with the knowledge, experience and skills he had acquired. The concept of the ‘arrow of time’ does not allow to turn back time, but a real master can work wonders in his imagination, including reversing the flow of time and returning to past times.
PRODUCTION
The Arrows of Time table clock is equipped with a very complex movement with tourbillon, perpetual calendar and moonphase, which makes its assembly a particularly challenging task. This clock has something that is almost impossible to find in other table clocks – a fine finishing of all parts, the quality of which is comparable to the finishing of the parts of a luxury wristwatch. This is why the Konstantin Chaykin table clock takes a lot of time to make and the watchmakers at the manufactory go to great lengths. It is a real pleasure to watch such a masterpiece being assembled.
BACK VIEW
The most important thing about a luxury table clock is that it’s finely crafted, no matter whichever way you look at it. Even the back view of the Arrows of Time clock shows the same quality of finishing as the dial side. In addition, the back caliber plate has a strictly vertical architecture with four cabochons in a row mounted on screws, giving the clock a particularly refined character.
THE WINDING ACCORDING TO THE ‘ARROW OF TIME’ CONCEPT
For the Arrows of Time clock, Konstantin Chaykin invented a new construction for adjusting the hands, which once again demonstrates how the concept of the 'arrow of time' works: The ratchet built into the winding gear only allows the owner to advance the hands. Even if the owner turns this wheel in the wrong direction from time to time – the clock will not break, and it is a pleasure to listen to the clear sounds of a working ratchet.
MOVEMENT
The caliber TQP.01-5 of the Arrows of Time table clock was developed by Konstantin Chaykin. The movement is made entirely in the Konstantin Chaykin Manufacture according to the standards of haute horlogerie. Traditional craftsmanship techniques are used to refine the components: fine straight and circular grinding, hand-polished bevels, engravings, polished screw heads, ball polishing of the pivots, nickel plating and gold plating. A special feature of the movement is the design of the “Alpha” tourbillon cage, a characteristic feature of Konstantin Chaykin’s table clocks with tourbillon, as well as four gold-plated chatons of different sizes, which are attached with screws.
Caliber: TQP.01-5, key wound, made by Konstantin Chaykin Manufacture
Power reserve: 10 days
Functions:
– Hours and minutes,
– Seconds hand on the tourbillon;
– Tourbillon;
– A.m./p.m. indicator;
– Perpetual calendar with date, day of the week, month, and leap year indicators;
– Moonphase and Moon age display.
DESIGN
The idea of giving the clock the name “Arrows of Time” came to Konstantin Chaykin at the very moment when he decided to give all nine indications on the dial similarly designed hands. Although the traditions of watchmaking do not prohibit this particular choice, watchmakers rarely equip the dial with a complicated set of hands made in the same style. In Russian, the words “watch hand” and “arrow” have the same origin, so the master decided to emphasize this fact in his own style by making the shaft of each hand from blued steel and the faceted tip from stainless steel with a fine straight grinding. Of course, each hand is finished by hand, just like all the other parts of the clock. The clock is offered in an Art Deco-style metal and glass case decorated with walnut panels.
PHOTO GALLERY
