Results for Christiaan van der Klaauw

Hands On: Christiaan van der Klaauw Venus Annual Calendar

Twenty years since the original Venus’s debut, Dutch independent Christiaan van der Klaauw (CVDK) upgrades the concept with the Venus Annual Calendar featuring a stellar automatic movement and an austere new “astronomical” dial. The Annual Calendar supplements the more traditional Venus Zodiac, which shares the same 38 mm case and upgraded base calibre. Initial thoughts The next generation of CVDK’s Venus comes in two flavours that act as foils to each other, pitched by the brand as representing astronomy and astrology. While the Zodiac variant is a familiar blue aventurine glass affair, much like the original Venus launched back in 2006, the instrument-like white Annual Calendar version is new to the Venus family. Western sun-sign astrology divides the sky into 30° slices, each named after a constellation such as Virgo or Scorpio, with whichever slice the sun occupies being the current sign. CVDK’s planetariums normally include both an annual calendar and the 12 signs of the zodiac, so dropping the latter might seem like a loss for an astronomical watch. The duo would make an ideal set, but are currently only solid individually. However, these popular sun-signs do not match the actual locations nor sizes of the constellations. For example, the slice marked ︎ for Cancer actually contains the Gemini constellation, while Sagittarius (︎) accommodates Sagittarius and Scorpio. In some ways, the zodiacs were just bloat, and separating the two makes both watches st...

First Look - The New Christiaan van der Klaauw Venus Zodiac, Planetary Mechanics on the Wrist

Christiaan van der Klaauw (founded in 1974 in the Netherlands) has dedicated itself almost exclusively to astronomical complications, creating wristwatches that display celestial phenomena with remarkable mechanical ingenuity. From planetariums to highly accurate moon phases, the brand turns astronomy into wearable mechanical art. Following the introduction of its new in-house CKM-01 calibre in 2024, this […]

Introducing - The Very Dutch Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne Holland Edition

This weekend, together with our friends at Reijersen Juweliers, a retailer based in the city of Oudewater and specialising in many of our favourite independent brands and rare limited editions, we’ll be hosting the annual “Taste of Time” event. For the third edition of this show, which focuses on independent watchmaking, Reijersen will be teaming […]

Hands-On With The Sero Silver Signature

The Netherlands is not exactly known as a traditional watchmaking powerhouse. This is a small country of people practical by nature and generally not inclined toward excessive displays of luxury. Over the years, though, several Dutch watch brands have built impressive international reputations. Names like Christiaan van der Klaauw, Grönefeld, and Holthinrichs immediately come to […] Visit Hands-On With The Sero Silver Signature to read the full article.

Introducing - Christiaan van der Klaauw Venus Zodiac and Venus Annual Calendar

Christiaan van der Klaauw is a renowned Dutch independent watch brand specialising exclusively in astronomical complications, making it the world’s only atelier dedicated solely to handcrafted timepieces inspired by celestial mechanics. Founded in 1974 by master watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw, who retired in 2009, the brand is now in the hands of watchmaker Pim […]

Christiaan van der Klaauw at Watches & Wonders 2026: Venus Zodiac and Venus Annual Calendar

Introducing The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Si14 (Silicium) | Christiaan van der Klaauw x Revolution

Introducing the Christiaan van der Klaauw x Revolution The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Si14 (Silicium)

Just Because - Christiaan van der Klaauw Launches a CPO Program, on its Own Unique Terms

A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programme can be an excellent source of long-sought-after vintage watches that are inspected and verified by the manufacturer. We’ve seen it from mainstream brands like Rolex, but even independent brands such as Urwerk offer CPO programmes. The idea is to offer past models to collectors looking to add that one special piece to their collection. […]

Introducing - The Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Julie, a Unique Edition of the World’s Smallest Mechanical Planetarium

Any watch from Christiaan van der Klaauw that carries a planetarium is, by definition, special. Since the mid-1990s, this rare and spectacular complication has been the brand’s signature feature, conceived and calculated by Mister van der Klaauw himself. Recently, the brand, now under the guidance of Pim Koeslag, presented the fantastic Grand Planetarium Eccentric, the […]

Hands On: Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium Meteorite

When it comes to planetarium wristwatches, Christiaan van der Klaauw (CvdK) has little competition, since it owns much of the intellectual property behind the complication. But that hasn’t stopped the brand from competing with itself, and the result the Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite, the most complete model of the solar system ever put in a wristwatch. It’s a maximalist approach to the planetarium concept that’s almost overwhelming in look and feel, thanks to the rich texture of its solid 44 mm meteorite case and busy dial. Building on the Grand Planetarium Eccentric from 2024, the Eccentric Meteorite manages to squeeze in the astroid belt, which is itself embellished with chunks of meteorite that originated on Mars. Intended to be a limited edition of three pieces, it’s possible that just two will be made given the limited quantity of meteorite on hand. The sun at the center of the dial functions as a running indicator, rotating once per minute. Initial thoughts The planetarium is among the most romantic of all complications due to its inherent uselessness; unlike a minute repeater or perpetual calendar, there’s not much action that can be taken with the information provided. But mankind has sought to understand its place in the universe for millennia, and the planetarium offers an intuitive way to visualise our real-time location relative to the sun and the other planets in our solar system. There’s also a strange appeal to the glacially slow speed of...

Watch Collector’s Week 2025 at Isetan Shinjuku in Tokyo

Perhaps the most storied department store in Japan – and still one of the highest grossing in the entire world – Isetan Shinjuku is staging its annual Watch Collector’s Week from July 2-22, 2025. Being in Japan, where everything is pursued in a serious minded manner, the theme of the event is “Astronomy and Timekeeping”. And in typical Japanese fashion, the event also has an accompanying manga, or Japanese comic book. The event encompasses both watches on show as well as historical displays and talks. Participating brands range from establishment names like A. Lange & Söhne and Tudor to independent watchmakers including H. Moser & Cie. and Ressence. Several brands will debut Isetan-exclusive limited editions, including Grand Seiko and Kudoke. The Christiaan van der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric. Image – Shellman One of the highlights of the event is the exhibit of Shellman, the Tokyo-based independent watch retailer that has concessions in Isetan Shinjuku and other prestigious department stores. Shellman’s display is centred on Christiaan van der Klaauw, the longtime specialist in astronomical watches, as well as Hermle, the German clockmaker that produces various clocks with astronomical displays. A astrolabe on display. Image – Shellman Watch Collector’s Week takes place July 2-22, 2025, at Isetan Shinjuku. Isetan Shinjuku 3-14-1 Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, Japan  

Christiaan van der Klaauw Introduces the Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite

Hands-On With The Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite

Last year, for the brand’s 50th anniversary, Christiaan van der Klaauw introduced the Grand Planetarium Eccentric. It was a 44mm watch in platinum or rose gold with eight hand-painted celestial bodies circling its aventurine dial. That already sounds quite impressive, right? Well, when I met Pim Koeslag, CEO of the Dutch brand, at Watches and […] Visit Hands-On With The Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite to read the full article.

New: Christiaan van der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric with video

Released just yesterday, Christiaan van der Klaauw collaborated with Sincere Fine Watches for the latter's continuing celebrations of its Platinum Jubilee.

First Look - The New CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric, The Only Mechanical Planetarium Watch To Display All 8 Planets

Christiaan van der Klaauw is one the most famous watchmakers in the Netherlands, and has gained fame for being possibly the best advocate of astronomical watches – in fact, this has even become the subtitle of the CVDK brand. Since 1974, this genius clock and watchmaker has produced some of the most beautiful and complicated […]

Business News: Bulgari and Six Independents Join Watches & Wonders 2025

Continuing the evolution and growth of Watches & Wonders Geneva (WWG), the event will see new additions next year, with Bulgari coming on board as a major exhibitor, along with a half dozen independent brands, including Christiaan van der Klaauw, Kross Studio, and HYT. Bulgari will then become the second major jewellery to show at the event, after Cartier, which historically dominated the Geneva fair when it was still known as Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). WWG was essentially a renamed SIHH after the demise of Baselworld, and Cartier retained its most-favoured status at the event even after the transition to WWG in 2020. As WWG has evolved, however, the balance of power has shifted, as reflected by the recent additions to the event’s governing board. While Cartier and its parent Richemont once had half the seats on the board, the pair now account for just two seats on the expanded, seven-member board, which now includes LVMH, the French luxury group that owns Bulgari. The last SIHH ever that took place in 2019 Indies and youth The addition of six more independent brands to WWG add to its diversity, with a majority of the exhibitors now being small and tiny independent brands. But as was the case with Baselworld before, the independent brands participating are a mixed bad of the good, the bad, and the ugly, which is one reason why some established independent brands are doing their own thing outside the fair – and which ironically was the reason SIH...

Galaxy On Your Wrist: Christiaan van der Klaauw x Revolution Planetarium Prometheus

Our first collaboration with Christiaan van der Klaauw puts the galaxy on your wrist

First Look - The Bold New Burgundy Dial of the Christiaan Van der Klaauw Ariadne

Dutch watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw started producing astronomical complications in 1974 and earned worldwide acclaim following his creation, in 1999, of the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world with real-time orbits of the planets in the confined dimensions of a wristwatch. Ten years later, in 2009, Christiaan van der Klaauw handed over the reins […]

Visiting Christiaan Van der Klaauw in Naarden, the Netherlands: Photo Essay and Interesting Twist

Come with Ian Skellern on a walk through the beautiful Dutch city of Naarden to visit Christiaan Van der Klaauw.

Why I Bought It: Collector Koen Simon and his Two-Tone Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Orion

Koen Simon is a 28-year-old watch collector from The Netherlands. A regular reader of Quill & Pad, he is a fan of high-end watchmaking. He recently sent us this story about how and why he acquired his rare two-tone Orion timepiece by Christiaan van der Klaauw, which we are pleased to share here.

Hands-On With The Ace Jewelers × Christiaan Van Der Klaauw stAriadne Limited Edition

Christiaan van der Klaauw (CvdK) is a brand known for its astronomical complications. Its watches feature miniature planetaria, small three-dimensional versions of the Moon, and entire star systems on the dials. More often than not, the celestial bodies on CvdK’s watches are part of an ingenious complication. That’s still the case on this new limited-edition […] Visit Hands-On With The Ace Jewelers × Christiaan Van Der Klaauw stAriadne Limited Edition to read the full article.

Introducing - The Starry Dial of the Ace Jewelers x Christiaan van der Klaauw stAriadne

It might sound surprising, but the Dutch watchmaking scene is much more active than many imagine. One of the most prominent and enduring names in the Netherlands is, without a doubt, Christiaan van der Klaauw. Specialised in astronomical timepieces – think about the Planetarium – CdvK has recently been acquired by Pim Koeslag (ex-Frederique Constant) […]

Christiaan van der Klaauw Unveils the “Amsterdam Star”

Best known for its astronomical complications, Christiaan van der Klaauw (CVDK) has created a special run of its chronograph with complete calendar and moon phase for its retailer in the Netherlands. The Ace x Christiaan van der Klaauw stAriadne Amsterdam Star is preserves the original design but adds a “fog grey” dial with star-shaped indices inspired by the “Stelline” dials found on 1950s Rolex watches. Initial thoughts The independent brand’s collaboration with Ace Jewelers is logical since both hail from the same country. The stAriadne stands out with its star indices that replaces the Arabic numerals of the standard model. A nod to the Rolex ref. 6062, star dials are relatively rare in contemporary timepieces, rendering this release quite distinctive. That being said, this is essentially an Ariadne with a new dial. Ideally, it would have been more interesting with mechanical tweaks to the largely standard Valjoux chronograph movement, a reliable but thick movement with shortish power reserve. But considering it is a limited edition of 50 pieces priced at €7,180 – about the same as the standard model – it is a reasonable proposition. A “star” dial  The stAriadne is the latest iteration of the Ariadne, one of the longstanding models in the CVDK line-up. Since its launch, the model has been powered by the Valjoux 7758, a variant of the familiar 7750 chronograph movement that has the addition of a complete calendar and moon phase. Last year, the Ari...