By John Galt
Single handed watches are nothing new, even going back many years to the very early pocket watches that were single handed mainly due to the fact that they were not accurate enough to display minutes and only accurate to 20-30mins a day. Today’s single handed pieces are normally about portraying a slower pace of time but this is a totally unique single hander and so very beautiful.
The 44mm 18k gold case harks back to an age of early timepieces with it’s classic looks and a beautifully engraved plated brass dial. The minute indicators around the edge glisten in the sunlight, bordering the bronze dial is a white marker track with roman numerals with a definite feel and look of early enamel dials and looks gorgeous nestled in-between the gold case and bronze dial. The continuously running hand is dark grey and really stands out with the bronze back ground with a broad arrow feel to it again evoking the look of older times. The winding crown is positioned at the usual 3 O’Clock and has a definite Cartier feel to it with the jewelled centre, but the pusher at 2 O’Clock is the important one as this tells the minutes for the wearer, as you’re probably looking puzzled now but let me explain how the magic of this piece happens. Konstantin Chaykin has built a complication into this watch to enable the wearer the ability to enjoy a single handed watch but also the practicality of knowing time down to exact minute by depressing and holding in the pusher the hand moves quickly round to show the exact minute then release the pusher and the hand snaps back to show the hour again very clever concept I’m sure you’ll agree.
Turning the piece over and you are greeted with an exhibition case showing of the completely in-house made movement in the factory in Moscow. The K01-5 manually wound movement is assembled and produced using brass, bronze and gold and I must say the mix really works especially with the gold case as a back drop. The power reserve of the Genius Temporis is 48 hours. Finishing off the piece is a dark alligator strap which in my opinion is the perfect colour to be married up with the gold case.
Price is 25,000 euro’s.
Conclusion
I can honestly say having seen this piece at SalonQP this year in the flesh it looks great with its classically inspired pocket watch looks which even without the clever pusher I’m sure people would still be admiring it but with the very clever complication this is one excellent piece and is exactly what we have come accustomed to from the Avant guard Konstantin Chaykin. For more info please visit konstantin-chaykin.ru
John Galt – Contributing Editor
John Galt caught the horology bug 4 years ago on his first visit to a London watch show and has snowballed since; John has become an avid writer and blogger of timepieces of all kinds, from everyday timepieces to modern Luxury Haute Horology, his favorite brands being HYT and Greubel Forsey that push the bounders of modern watch-making. John keeps a keen interest in the UK watch scene with their many emerging brands and timepiece’s. John Galt currently contributes watch related articles for online publications in the UK and USA. You can follow John on Twitter @johng73 Read his articles here.
