Zebra
The first automatic movement with a mini-rotor сreated in Russia
A new addition to Konstantin Chaykin's Wristmons collection is always an exciting event. The reason is simple: such a premiere is seen as a long-awaited answer to the consistently intriguing question of what design idea has sparked Chaykin's inventive mind this time. The new Wristmon also captures attention because, in the latest models of the collection, the master brings his inventions and technical developments to life, occasionally introducing functions that didn't exist before. A quick glance at the Zebra watch is enough to recognize that it is not only a new character and design but also a new movement. Considering the dial configuration, the closest analog would be the Minotaur Special Chinese New Year 2021 watch, where, for the first time in the Wristmons collection, a Joker-time indication emerged with two disk indicators for hours and minutes (depicting the eyes of the character) and a large two-disk day of the week indicator (depicting the nostrils of the character). In the Zebra watch, Konstantin Chaykin employs a similar configuration, but the resemblance ends there: for this model, he developed a new calibre, K.33.3, for both the basic mechanism and the joker-indication module, marking the first automatic movement with a mini-rotor entirely designed and manufactured in Russia. The watch is a piece unique and made to the customer's order. We cannot repeat the design.
THE FIRST RUSSIAN MINI-ROTOR
If you turn the Zebra watch upside down and peer through the sapphire window of the caseback, a sight unfamiliar even to experts is revealed. Zebra is the first watch not only among the Wristmons but also in the entire brand collection to feature calibre K.33.3 — a new basic automatic movement from the "Konstantin Chaykin" manufacture with a mini-rotor automatic winding system.
Initiating the development of a new basic movement, Konstantin Chaykin opted for an automatic winding system with a mini-rotor. This design reduces the overall thickness of the movement, resulting in a slimmer and more elegant watch. Beyond the technical features aimed at minimizing the movement's thickness, the mini-rotor winding mechanism also offers exclusivity. Currently, watches with mini-rotor calibers are only produced by watch brands in the prestige segment, and their numbers are limited. Konstantin Chaykin stands as one of the few independent watchmakers globally who has undertaken the development of a movement in this exclusive category.
Moreover, the calibre K.33.3 is the first automatic movement with a mini-rotor entirely designed and manufactured in Russia. The master believes this calibre represents a significant advancement for his manufacture, incorporating several new technical ideas for which Konstantin Chaykin, one of the leading inventors in the world watchmaking industry, has prepared and filed three patent applications.
ZEBRA INDICATION FOR A NEW WRISTMON
DAY OF THE WEEK INDICATOR
The master uses two nostrils of the zebra image on the watch face as paired windows for the large day of the week indicator he invented — a design choice previously seen in the Minotaur 2021 model. But there is a significant difference: the day names are now in Russian. To enhance the indicator's usability, Konstantin Chaykin decided to incorporate sapphire lenses into the windows.
PREMIERE: THE CROWN MODE INDICATOR
Another noteworthy and emotionally resonant addition is the introduction of an indicator that has never before been used in the Wristmons collection. Konstantin Chaykin introduces a new smiling complication — the crown mode indicator. When the crown is pulled out, the background of the Zebra smile changes from white to red, allowing this Zebra to show its tongue!DIAL OF 40 PARTS
Recalling the existential query from Marty, the zebra, and a main character from the Madagascar cartoon, "Alex, look at me: I'm ten years old. My life is half over and I don't even know if I'm black with white stripes or white with black stripes," the Zebra watch would also find it challenging to provide a definitive answer. For this watch, both interpretations hold true. The watch's case is white with black stripes. The unique zebra strap, specially crafted for this watch from high-quality calfskin leather, is black with white stripes. The dial further complicates Marty's question, featuring distinct stripes colored in white or black. Interestingly, the Zebra watch marks the first Wristmon with a dial of this type — an innovative touch from Konstantin Chaykin.
STAINLESS STEEL CASE 40 MM
In those Wristmons where the case lugs serve as the character's ears, Konstantin Chaykin diverges from the standard design of watches in this collection, featuring two heads — a crown and a corrective. In the Zebra watch, the crown is positioned at the 6 o'clock position, between the lower lugs of the strap attachment. And the upper lugs turned into zebra ears.Black stripes at the stainless steel case are the decorative black carbon fiber composite overlays.
MOVEMENT
The calibre: K.33.3 with automatic winding is produсed by Konstantin Chaykin Manufacture. The joker-indication module consists with two additional functions.
Number of jewels: 40.
Power reserve: 42 hours.
Functions:
– Joker-time indication
– Day of the week indication
– Crown position indicator
Watch Features
Watching the process of assembling of any of Wristmons is very exciting. You can see how the movement gets trademark wristmon's "eyes" and "smile". These parts form the unforgettable face-like dial.
PHOTO GALLERY
