Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that showcases the world's smallest mechanical planetarium! This watch is a true testament to the brand's expertise in astronomical complications, and it's about to blow your mind.
Since the mid-1990s, Christiaan van der Klaauw has been crafting these rare and spectacular timepieces, each one a signature piece in its own right. Under the new guidance of Pim Koeslag, the brand recently unveiled the incredible Grand Planetarium Eccentric, a groundbreaking model that displays all eight planets of our solar system. But today, we're delving into the classic Planetarium, a true icon in the world of horology.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the Grand Planetarium Eccentric is a technical marvel, the classic Planetarium holds a special place in the hearts of collectors. It's the world's smallest mechanical planetarium, and it's about to get even more exclusive with the introduction of the unique Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie.
Christiaan van der Klaauw is a legendary watchmaker, renowned for his handmade, astronomical creations. His most impressive feat? Developing the planetarium wristwatch in the 1990s, a true masterpiece that miniaturized the solar system right on your wrist. A planetarium is an intricate device that accurately illustrates the motion of the solar system, with planets revolving around the sun. And CVDK took this concept to new heights with the Grand Planetarium Eccentric, a first-of-its-kind wristwatch that showcases all eight planets.
But let's not forget the humble beginnings. The CVDK Kepler's Planetarium Clock, built in 1995, was the catalyst for this astronomical journey. While it may not be as comprehensive as the recent model, the miniaturization of the complication is nothing short of spectacular.
Now, let's dive into the Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie, a custom-made masterpiece that showcases the brand's exceptional customization skills. This extraordinary timepiece was crafted based on the special wishes of a true friend and collector of the brand. Koeslag, after brainstorming with the future owner, had a clear vision: to pay tribute to the collector's young daughter, hence the name Julie for this exclusive edition.
Design-wise, the Planetarium Julie features a 40mm grade 5 titanium case middle and case back, retaining the classic onion-shaped crown. The connection to the solar system is evident with the unique meteorite bezel, showcasing the Widmanstätten pattern.
What truly sets this edition apart is the movement and its stunning display. The dial, made of transparent sapphire crystal, reveals the ballet of six planets revolving around the sun in real time. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn take center stage, their orbits beautifully depicted. The hand-applied Hindu/Arabic indexes add a touch of elegance to this intricate display.
The movement is the star of the show. It's entirely skeletonized, with the complete module redesigned to showcase the openworked theme. The bridges and main plate of the Planetarium module have been carefully shaped to resemble CVDK's logo, the sun with 12 claws. Each bridge is opened by hand, with an impressive 70 inward angles. And if that's not enough, Master Engraver Kees Engelbarts has hand-engraved Julie's profile on the barrel, adding a personal touch.
The back of the movement is just as special, with meticulous skeletonization and beveling by hand. CVDK opts for the calibre CKM-01, the same base as the Grand Planetarium Eccentric, an evolution from previous editions. This manufacture base calibre, developed with movement maker UhrTeil AG, features a rose gold-plated brass rotor shaped like the CVDK logo.
This new version of the Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie is already allocated to its lucky owner. But it serves as a brilliant showcase of the brand's customization capabilities with its Collection of the Atelier. As the brand puts it, "Your personal wishes are our guide, and our watchmakers will compose your unique timepiece with materials, complications, dials, and finishes tailored to your desires."
So, what do you think? Is the Planetarium Julie a masterpiece of customization, or does it sacrifice functionality for aesthetics? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Technical Specifications - Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie
- Case: 40mm diameter, grade 5 titanium case middle and caseback, meteorite bezel, straight lugs, onion crown, sapphire crystal over dial and caseback
- Dial: Transparent sapphire crystal with hand-applied Hindu/Arabic indexes, silver-toned hands
- Movement: Base CKM-01 (Andreas Strehler base movement with in-house planetarium module), entirely skeletonized bridges, automatic, 32 jewels, 21,600 vibrations/hour, free sprung hair spring, variable-inertia balance wheel, jeweled Swiss lever escapement, 60h power reserve, hand-finished star-shaped bridges, skeletonized rose gold-plated brass rotor, hours, minutes, date & month, Planetarium showing orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn
- Strap: Exotic leather strap with pin buckle
- Availability: Piece unique, already allocated
- Price: Upon request
