"My god, it's full of stars..."

[learningtofly]

Not that long ago, the thought of another vintage sports watch - probably Rolex, because for quite a while that was the focus of my collection - would have kept me awake at night. It's a funny thing, though, how tastes evolve and over the last couple of years I've found myself becoming increasingly disillusioned with and by what had become the staple additions. I sold quite a few (beauties, I might add), and found over the same period that I was also beginning to question my refusal to buy anything current. For a while now, in fact, I've had a nice balance of new and old, and a pretty even mix of sports watches and alternatives that are far more dressy.

A couple of weeks ago I met a friend from TZ-UK for a few beers, and I was really impressed by what he called his "left field" collection. I didn't consciously spend time dwelling on this but I was aware that I could have been a little more... I don't know, daring. It was while I was in that frame of mind that something popped up on SC there that I simply fell in love with, and over the subsequent week or so I edged closer and closer to a deal without even the hint of a second thought about whether I was being sensible or not. I have to say that, after a couple of days of wear, I'm really delighted that I followed my instincts.

Christiaan ven der Klaauw is a Dutch watchmaker, and is also the only watchmaker in the Netherlands producing movement parts with his own hands. He was born, in 1944, in Leiden, the city where the Netherlands’ greatest scientist of all times, namesake and inspiration Christiaan Huygens started his studies in 1645. Van der Klaauw attended the School for Instrument Makers there, and some two decades after commencing his work as a watchmaker became known for his "astronomical watches" that he now shows regularly at Basleworld to much acclaim. The watches are handmade, and the finished movements (based on ebauches that I can't identify yet, although I've asked him the question by email) are heavily modified and then coupled with in-house modules that provide the incredible astronomical complications that set his watches apart. You can see the current CVDK collection here, in fact.

The watch that I found irresistible is the Ceres 1974. The dial is an amazingly textured starburst, on which an appliqué CVDK logo appears at 12 with the most gorgeous moonphase window at 6; applied roman numerals, in blued steel, are used for the 1-3 and 9-11 markers but the remainder of the dial is completely clean. The finishing touch is blued steel hands, in a Breguet style. The overall effect is, to my mind, quite beautiful, albeit that many will no doubt feel that the styling is a little too unconventional. Horses for courses, and all that.

The Ceres 1974 is part of the "Collection of The Stars" and the specification is as follows:

Movement: CVDK1068, automatic winding, 25 jewels, 42 hour power reserve, complication; CVDK Ceres 1974 module.
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, complication; moon phase.
Case: Stainless steel, ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case-back.
Dial: Silver with blue indexes.
Strap: Blue alligator leather.
Buckle: Logo engraved steel folding clasp.

I'm not sure that anything other than handling this watch could ever do it justice, but my attempt in photos is below... no, it's not the usual safe choice, but I love it all the more for just that reason.

[capote]

Interesting piece, I like it!

[Time Exposure]

In a world of watches where it is difficult to both stand out AND be attractive, THIS is an exceptional piece. Beautifully designed!

[conkers]

Very nice indeed!

[malarky_hk]

Beautiful dial. It's certainly a rare bird. Congrats and enjoy.

[RollieVerde]

Wow. That is amazing. Could be one of the most unique & interesting I've seen in a long while. Well done!

[Marcela]

Beautiful watch, congratulations. Thank you for your wonderful write up and pictures.

[QueueCumber]

Congrats!

I don't know much about the watch, but I always love a good 2001 novel (or 2010 movie) reference...

[incontrol]

Beautiful watch and one you won't see on any one else! Many congrats!

[Silvio Mosiello]

Very very interesting piece.

If you know watches and then just look at the watch it seems odd that it has no label on the dial.

Once you find out that its a fpj everything changes god, marketing is so interesting!

Btw gorgeous piece.


Sent from my Motorola Razor

[learningtofly]

Thanks very much,guys. It's certainly a little different to the norm :)

[Psmith]

Beautiful - congrats!

[Israguard]

I'm in love
Simply stunning and demands a visit to their website and an inquiry email.

Just wow

[Time Exposure]

Originally Posted by Silvio Mosiello

Once you find out that its a fpj everything changes

Huh?
Did you add an "N" to "JOURE" on the back of the watch? I did a double-take too.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Silvio Mosiello

Very very interesting piece.

If you know watches and then just look at the watch it seems odd that it has no label on the dial.

Once you find out that its a fpj everything changes god, marketing is so interesting!

Btw gorgeous piece.


Sent from my Motorola Razor

It's not an F.P Journe

Joure is a place in the Netherlands in the province of Friesland (Close to Heerenveen), that's where the Christiaan van der Klaauw atelier is located.

[SearChart]

Congrats Tony

[Time Exposure]

Originally Posted by SearChart

It's not an F.P Journe



Joure is a place in the Netherlands in the province of Friesland (Close to Heerenveen), that's where the Christiaan van der Klaauw atelier is located.

Ah! Thanks for clearing that up. We visited friends in Breda, but that's the extent of my Netherlands geography knowledge! Oh, and visited Efteling with the kids. Beautiful country.

[watchucallit]

i had not seen before.. Really nice

[Bobby T]

Stunning!!!!! Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!

[mps354]

Beautiful, congrats!

[joli160]

Very nice Tony, congrats on this beauty.
Can you tell us how it feels like quality wise ? Comparable with ...
Van der Klaauw watches are pretty rare and I never handled one but I like the Celestial very much. If I can get over of not buying Rolex than maybe one day.

[Cru Jones]

fantastic piece. thanks very much for sharing, tony.

[dysondiver]

looks stunning

[learningtofly]

Thanks, all

Originally Posted by joli160

Very nice Tony, congrats on this beauty.
Can you tell us how it feels like quality wise ? Comparable with ...
Van der Klaauw watches are pretty rare and I never handled one but I like the Celestial very much. If I can get over of not buying Rolex than maybe one day.

Hard to compare it with another brand, as it's so different to anything else I've ever handled. The finish, though, is absolutely impeccable, and that goes for the case as well as the dial. In fact, in the metal it's more impressive than it is in the photos.

[powerfunk]

That's a stunning watch! Thanks for sharing; it's always cool to learn about new brands...for anyone else also interested, here's the link to the official webpage's info on that watch.

[HogwldFLTR]

Beautiful watch; congratulations. It looks like it would be a standout in any collection.

[adamlea]

CVDK has some very interesting pieces and distinctive designs. I've never seen this one before, but I like it a lot. Congrats.