Cover Christiaan van der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition
Christiaan van der Klaauw Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition
1 / 1
CEO Pim Koeslag shares more about this stunning, groundbreaking timepiece
Earlier this year, Christiaan van de Klaauw (CVDK) debuted its first manufacture movement, powering the Grand Planetarium Eccentric astronomical watch, which displays the real-time orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune around the Sun. The varying orbital periods—from Mercury’s 87.97 days to Neptune’s 164.80 years—add complexity to the movement. A huge gear train system containing over 3,000 teeth was developed to power this central complication, each planet having a separate orbital gear.
This remarkable feature is now endowed in its Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition, marking Sincere Fine Watches’ 70th anniversary. While the original timepiece features an aventurine face, the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Jubilee Edition dials it up a notch with an oil painting by artist Gaël Colon, based on an image of the galaxies and stars taken by the James Webb space telescope.
Read more: The 3 best perpetual calendar watches for leap year 2024
Above Pim Koeslag, CEO of Christiaan van der Klaauw
Pim Koeslag, CEO of Christiaan van der Klaauw
1 / 1
Pim Koeslag, CEO of CVDK, explains that the idea came about because of a recent painting Christiaan, 81, drew. “I showed it to Ong Ban (CEO of Sincere Fine Watches and Kate (Lim, general manager of Sincere). and they immediately wanted it for the Jubilee Edition,” he says. Since Christiaan was unavailable to do another painting—he is officially retired, after all—Koeslag commissioned Colon, a frequent collaborator of CVDK.
“It’s a complex process, involving eight layers of oil painting on brass, before adding a coating of lacquer,” says Koeslag, who acquired a majority stake in the brand from previous owners Daniël and Maria Reintjes.
Above CVDK’s manufacture movement features an openworked rotor in the shape of its brand logo
CVDK’s manufacture movement features an openworked rotor in the shape of its brand logo
1 / 1
Significantly, it also boasts the Dutch manufacture’s first in-housemovement, which had been in development for a few years before it stopped after the passing of its internal movement developer. The calibre was being developed with the help of renowned Swiss independent watchmaker Andreas Strehler. When Koeslag arrived at CVDK in 2022, he revived the project. “Finally, we have a beautiful base movement. And yes, it is our most complicated astronomical movement yet.”
In the Sincere Jubilee Edition—extremely exclusive with only three pieces—Earth, Saturn and Jupiter are joined by moons for added flourish. The dial’s periphery is decorated with zodiac signs, completing the celestial narrative.
Under Koeslag, who started in the industry as a watchmaker, CVDK will continue to focus exclusively on astronomical watches. “I think it’s definitely what sets us apart—although we do have the Lady Orion that does not have the complication but still possesses the astronomical vibe. There are other brands that do the same thing, but our approach is accurate scientifically, which means the planets make their orbits in real time. Our 3D Real Moon is a moon phase that is the most precise in the world, with a deviation of one day in 11,000 years!”
For Koeslag, an astronomical watch represents a return to the roots of timekeeping. “The cycle of time is essentially the cycle of the Earth around the moon. Astronomy-inspired watchmaking is perhaps the purest form of horology,” he muses.
NOW READ
H. Moser & Cie. celebrates Sincere Fine Watches' 70th anniversary
Czapek & Cie’s tribute to 70 years of Sincere Fine Watches
GPHG 2024: The list of winners
Brian Cheong leads the watch (Tatler GMT) and jewellery content at Tatler Malaysia, combining sharp editorial insight with years of luxury lifestyle experience. A seasoned journalist in luxury watches based in Kuala Lumpur, Brian had previously helmed World of Watches, Men's Folio and Prestige Malaysia.
