Konstantin Chaykin in the eve of year 2019 welcomes Chinese zodiac creature of new year – the pig. Konstantin Chaykin Joker watch, first unveiled less then two years ago, now gave birth to the family of charismatic, offbeat, sometime lovely, sometime fearsome, but definitely spectacular, creative and rare watches, gathered in Wristmons collection. The year 2018 was groundbreaking for Wristmons collection, as it got one of the highest marks of distinction in high watchmaking universe. “Aiguille d’Or – Audacity prize” of 18th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG-2018) was won by Konstantin Chaykin and his Clown watch, younger brother of Konstantin Chaykin’s Joker. It was very first time for Russian watchmaker to win the high award in Geneva, Switzerland’s and world’s capital of high watchmaking.
Actually, the prize was won by prototype of Clown watch, as the series of Konstantin Chaykin Clown watch, limited to 27 pieces, at the moment was completely sold out. That’s why Konstantin Chaykin had no choice but to present prototype to Grand Prix’ jury because all timepieces had already found their proud owners. The winning prototype was then presented by Konstantin Chaykin to the city principal museum – Musée d’art et d’histoire de Genève, as a symbol of his respect and admiration by Geneva, the cradle of high watchmaking art.
So barely two years old Konstantin Chaykin’s Joker watch got museum status. To strengthen museum image of his flagship watch collection Konstantin Chaykin decided create new Wristmon – unique art-piece Unique Pig 2019.
Watch features
According to Shēngxiào, traditional Chinese 12-year zodiac circle, 2019 will be the year of earth pig. The color of the year is yellow, so the matter-of-course choice for the Unique Pig 2019 case metal was iron bronze, having natural yellowish hue. The bronze has inherent feature to get unimitated patina in the course of years, so the watch will obtain marks of passing time, as some museum artefacts from Bronze age.
Especially for the “Joker” and other models of the “Wristmons” collection Konstantin Chaykin developed a double-disc display for the hour and minute indications, as well as a moonphase indicator. In the construction and design of the movement, he was guided by the principles of haute horlogerie, despite the fact that the movement is hidden under an opaque dial. Konstantin Chaykin meticulously finished every part of the movement using classic techniques: perlage pearl textured grinding; fine longitudinal and circular grinding; abrasive blasting to a matte finish; a smooth handcrafted chamfer; engraving; polished screw holes, pins and jewels; spherical polishing of the axel tips; and galvanized rhodium plating. In total the module includes 8 jewels, designed to reduce friction, while the moonphase indicator is driven by a wheel with 59 teeth.
Caliber: K07-0 automatic winding by Konstantin Chaykin
manufacture
Stroke accuracy, s: +/- 15 seconds per day
Power reserve, h: 38
| Basic mechanism: | ETA 2824-2 (diameter 25,6 mm, height 4,6 mm) |
|---|---|
| Size: | Diameter 31,5 mm, height 9,0 mm |
| Escapement: | Lever escapement |
| Half-wave frequency: | 28 800 |
| Number of stones: | 33 (base mechanism – 25 stones, module-8 stones) |
| Module parts : | 61 |
| Materials: | Brass, steel |
| Functions: | Display hours, minutes, moon phase |
The dial was shaped as pretty piggy’s face keeps Joker’s emotive eyes, allowing owner to track the time in hours and minutes, and smile acting as the moon phase indicator. Additional fixed crown set in 9-o’clock position is fitted with recessed corrector provided for correcting the moon-phase display. Compare to original Joker design the case and bezel of Unique Pig 2019 watch were slightly modified to make upper lugs looking like piggy’s ears. The finishing stroke of the image – black alligator leather strap with pink stitching.
Unique Pig 2019 is powered by automatic winding Caliber K07-0, equipped with indication module conceived, designed, produced and finished according to the highest haute horlogerie standards entirely by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture.
Case dimensions(mm): diameter 42 mm, height 13.7 mm
| Case: | Bronze Case |
|---|---|
| Glass: | Sapphire crystal with antireflective coating, diameter 34.5 mm |
| Case parts: | 36 |
| Dial: | Finish is silver plating, green lacquer, Sunray Guilloche Pattern |
| Dial parts: | 9 |
| Strap: | Black alligator leather, calfskin lining, pink stitching |
| Buckle: | Prong buckle in bronze |
| Water resistance: | З АТМ (30 m) |
