Trending Articles from The Watch Guide
Introducing The First-Ever Tourbillon From The House Of Favre Leuba
A Closer Look At The Dainty Tissot T-Lady Desir
Fast Forward To History: Presenting The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection
New Top Time And A New Ambassador For Breitling: Austin Butler, The Face Of Top Time B31
Christiaan van der Klaauw are a Dutch watchmaking brand renowned for their mastery in creating astronomical complications. Founded in 1974 by the talented horologist Christiaan van der Klaauw, the brand stands out for integrating celestial themes into luxurious timepieces. Originally focused on crafting intricate clocks, Van Der Klaauw’s fascination with the cosmos transitioned into watchmaking, with each piece reflecting a deep passion for astronomy and a commitment to technical excellence.
Their watches are characterised by complications that bring cosmic phenomena to life, such as highly accurate moon phase indicators, planetarium displays, and sidereal time. This commitment to celestial mechanics sets them apart, with their creations often hailed as masterpieces of both horological complexity and artistic beauty. Every timepiece showcases refined craftsmanship, from hand-finished cases of precious metals like gold and platinum to dials featuring intricate engravings, enamel work, or guilloché patterns inspired by the universe.
Awards And Recognition
Christiaan van der Klaauw have garnered prestigious accolades and industry acclaim for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to astronomical watchmaking. In 2014, they achieved a significant milestone by winning the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) in the “Best Calendar Watch” category for their Real Moon 1980 model. This distinguished honour highlighted their expertise in crafting complex lunar phase complications and cemented their reputation as leaders in celestial horology. The brand’s CVDK Planetarium, recognised as the world’s smallest mechanical planetarium, has also been celebrated as a landmark in horological innovation. Its precise and artistic representation of planetary orbits has captivated collectors and industry experts alike.
Christiaan van der Klaauw were also formerly members of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), an exclusive circle of independent watchmakers known for exceptional creativity and innovation. While they are no longer affiliated with this organisation, their legacy and past association reflect their standing among the world’s foremost horological artisans and their relentless pursuit of excellence in artistry and technical mastery.
Collections
Christiaan van der Klaauw’s timepieces are elegantly divided into two principal collections: the Astronomical Masterpieces and The Stars. The Astronomical Masterpieces collection epitomises the brand's dedication to creating horological wonders that bring celestial mechanics to life. These pieces feature intricate complications such as the CVDK Planetarium, a mechanical marvel showcasing planetary orbits in real-time, and the Real Moon series, which provides an unparalleled representation of lunar phases with a rotating 3D moon. This collection also includes models such as the Real Moon Joure and Starry Sky, which feature delicate representations of the stars and moon, providing a poetic and refined portrayal of the universe.
The Stars collection, on the other hand, delves into the beauty and mystique of the night sky, offering watches that interpret the celestial world through a more artistic and symbolic lens. The Collection of The Stars focuses on timepieces that intricately depict celestial phenomena, including models like the CVDK Retro Moon, Orion, Ariadne, and Hypernova, each with innovative displays of the stars and the moon's position, blending artistry with technical mastery. One of the most distinctive aspects of Christiaan van der Klaauw's Collection Of The Atelier lies in the bespoke nature of their timepieces. Each watch is crafted with the individual client in mind, allowing personal preferences to guide the artisans as they create a truly unique luxury item. Customers can select from a variety of materials, complications, dials, rotors, and finishes, ensuring that every detail reflects their personal style and desires.