Chronometers are based on astronomical observations, and so are watches that plot the movement of the stars, phases of the moon and the tides. Nobody does better astronomical watches than Christiaan van der Klaauw.
CVDK is such a fascinating watchmaking company. As someone who loves history, the celestial complications and alchemical aesthetic is right up my alley. These timepieces are like something straight out of a medieval wizard’s laboratory!
Hi Justice, they are an unusual watch company and have some beautiful watches and complications, but I've found that ever since Christiaan himself retired, most of their watches have CVDK modules at best and movements made by ... who knows? I'm glad they won the Calendar/Astronomy Award for 2021, and some watches in the past with complications by CVDK have won (essentially the same complication was in the 2018 Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Planétarium that won the Ladies Complications prize in 2018 ( www.gphg.org/horlogerie/en/watches/lady-arpels-planetarium ). A good watch company should not have to hide the source of their movements as they did in my CVDK Celsius 1974... an ETA 2892-A2. The problem is that the CVDK moon-phase is the only aspect of the watch that easily fouls and is very difficult to set because they quit using a pusher for setting the moon phase. A beautiful watch, but leaves much to be desired. Take care, Bill
Hi Bill, recent subscriber here. I think it’s insane that as a RU-vid watch ( young ) fanboy I didn’t find this channel earlier, so much content, knowledge and kindness and yet so little fame and visibility. Sad for all the people that are tired of 10 min videos about the same watches and brands over and over. Love the real talk and the experience as a collector, you perfectly communicate your joy and your hard work and research in every video. Keep it up, I’m sure you will grow, talent and passion will pay off. Happy new year and best regards :)
Hi Pierre, thanks man! I try to look at a variety of different watchmakers and watch companies. Oftentimes the most interesting watches are made by individual watchmakers who combine art and craftsmanship. Sometimes the bigger companies do so; but not too often. Kindest regards, Bill
Hi Bill! Thanks man! In my digging I have more fun than anyone! Some of the Christiaan v.d. Klaauw watches I knew about beforehand, but I was most impressed by the Real Moon 1980 and the Satellite Du Monde from the 1990s. Nothing but finding more ways to go broke! Cheers, Bill
Jeremy, I think that means the Ceres 1974 has been discontinued and CVDK just wants to rid itself of remaining stock. Unfortunately, that model is one of the few that anyone can afford. Cheers, Bill
Very interesting watches, plenty available and some reasonably priced. The steel Ceres 1974 on the blue strap is very cool. Update on my Henry Double Hairspring, took it yesterday morning to get it demagnatized and sure enough it stopped later on at 1703. I'm baffled why it happens, it doesn't stop between 0500 and 0600, just in the afternoon. So it's going back to Switzerland. At least I'll get a day out in London when I return it.
Ah man, I'm sorry to hear about your Henry. It's such a great (and rare) watch. I hope it's something simple and you get it back from Schaffhausen soon! I too like the Ceres 1974 ... another temptation! Kindest regards, Bill
Thanks Bruce! Was this to be a year you were planning on savings since you had a very good watch-year in 2018? Or are you in the hunt this year...? Cheers, Bill
WatchArtSci Hey Bill. I’m going to have to be good for a while, so I’ll be saving this year. Although the new Cartier Santos blue dial has really caught my eye, as well as the Zenith Defy Classic blue dial. Both are really striking.
Incredible watches. Very detailed. Would be helpful for cultivation of harvests. Now I would know when to plant and and subsequently harvests. Thank you.
Hi bill. Not my cup of tea but you have to admire the skill and workmanship that goes into making these watches amazing that they’re all mechanical with this amount of complications
Yes, Neil, I cannot imagine having more than one (besides the fact that I couldn't afford them.) If I could choose one (without regards to cost) I think it'd be the Real Moon 1980 (even though I'm still not sure what the 1980 is for...). For actually getting my mitts on, the Ceres 1974 is a beautiful watch within hand-grenade range of my budget! Cheers, Bill
Hey Jack, that's a good question, and I would venture to guess that you'd have to send it back to Christiaan Van Der Klaauw in The Netherlands to get the work done. Who else could adjust the angle of the sun on the 1980? Cheers, Bill
Hi Jan, my pleasure! Christiaan Van Der Klaauw fills a unique niche for mechanical watch collectors. By the way, I was informed that Ceres is a dwarf planet and not a moon... my mistake. What kind of watches have you been collecting? Kindest regards, Bill
@@watchartsci Ohh.. I am not yet a real collector, I have few watches, an vintage glashutte, seiko skx and a vintage omega.. I have not inheritade any of the watches so to be honest I dont know how and why my love for watches have started. I have a list of watches that i would like, (no rolex) but I just started my private business so the watches have to wait for a little bit of time. In the meanwhile I'm trying to gather as much knowledge as I can, so than you for your work. It helps a lot
Very interesting vid. I love the fascinating complications of CVDK and a good value pick up either new or on the preowned market. Although I am not a fan of the design of the lugs on most models, so I have historically never got over the line with buying one myself.
Yes, Graham, having one in my collection would be fun ... just one, but one that represents CVDK's entire universe! I like the early (1990s) Satellite Du Monde. Cheers, Bill
WatchArtSci the Satellite Du Monte is a very cool watch, although the ones that I have seen are pretty pricey. Have you seen some of his clocks from the 90’s. They are also amazing.
Yes on both counts , Graham! They are pricey and the clocks are world class! The Satellite Du Mond is another one of those watches that are hard not to appreciate...and can lead to trouble in watch budgets! Cheers, Bill
Hi Gilberto, Christiaan v.d. Klaauw is going to discontinue the Ceres 1974 soon, but you should be able to find one under $5,000. That's still a lot, I know, but that's less than $25,000! Cheers, Bill
Bill, there’s no such thing as “very unique”, something is either unique or it’s not....it’s binary, one or the other. Keep up the good work man, I need a moon phase in my collection and you just reminded me how amazing CVDK are in this field 👍
Hi Bill, always a regular viewer of your channel, just would like to ask a question about the Habring 2 Felix that you highly recommend, I have watched many videos on this piece but I am struggling to find were the value lies, firstly it's on a leather strap the case is of steel and of basic design and polished the dial is printed no applied markers the back of the movement has very limited finishing so what's left the movement itself. I hope this doesn't irritate you I think I just need you to educate me as I know you know far more about watches than I do.Best wishes Marco.
Hi Marco, I think there are two reasons. 1) I like the idea of a hand-made watch by a master watchmaker and 2) They're very good time-keepers. Why do you think this little Austrian company has won 4 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awards? That's the same number that Blancpain, Franck Muller, MB&F, Seiko and Tudor have won! What is it in his watches that the best watchmakers, designers, collectors and watch journalists see? They see craftsmanship. I keep using the analogy of getting an original drawing by Picasso and a print. For around $5k, you get a truly hand-made watch. For $250,000 you can find a Roger Smith, but we cannot now (or probably ever) afford one of those. However, I'm not a salesman for Habring2 or any other watch company, and you should get whatever makes you happy. Kindest regards, Bill
Hi Bill, thanks for your speedy reply not for one minute did I ever thought you were in anyway affiliated with the company otherwise I wouldn't of taken the time to write to you, your integrity is clear to see, I live in London so I have a suspecian that veiwing one of these watches in person is going to be difficult, until then keep up the good content it is very much appreciated.Marco
Wonderful video. Do you have a video of the Millenium watch? I own the number 1 (of about 9 made) in rose gold. Who are the best dealers to sell with? Thanks Anton. Great video :)
Strangely enough just found out about this Watch maker today, so only two days after your video ! I Love their watches specially the ones at 40mm! There are no distributors in north America !? By The way,You dont need a Watch to have timing !
Hi Normand, there used to be a Tourneau connection, but I went to NYC a couple of years ago, and by then they had discontinued their distribution of CVDK watches. Your best bet is probably Chrono24. Good luck, Bill
Thank you Jeremy, I had read that (and then promptly forgot it!) It's the dwarf planet out in the cold, cold space. Here's something funny: if you Google 'Christiaan van der Klaauw Ceres 1974' you can find it on CVDK's website, but if you go directly to the CVDK website, it's nowhere to be found! Curiouser and curiouser... Cheers, Bill
Hey Lokbatan! The question is; which way is the "influence" going? De Bethune was founded in 2002 by David Zanetta, and Christiaan Van Der Klaauw founded Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Astronomical Watches in 1974. I think it would be very difficult for Christiaan Van Der Klaauw to be "influenced" by a company that didn't exist until almost 30 years after his own was founded! Because a design uses 'stars' doesn't mean anyone is copying anyone else. It just means they use stars. For my money, the most innovative and fun use of stars in watch design is by Lang & Heyne-check this out: www.lang-und-heyne.de/en/models/champleve/?variation=0 ... note also the movement and how the stars are made! Cheers, Bill
Hi @@watchartsci, did not mean to come across snobby. You are right CVDK was founded decades before De Bethune, and for decades they had their own unique designs (and still do as you've shown). I would just argue that after De Bethune came out with their DB25 & DB28 designs with the 3d moon, you can clearly see the similarity with CVDKs' later designs, down to the sunburst dial. Not trying to put down CVDK by any means, they are a great brand. They have plenty of great watches without the need to borrow from other brands' innovations, but I guess that applies to many other watch makers as well. Keep up the great work, Cheers
@@watchartsci I think it's stunning! And the fact that you can ask L&H for the colour of your choosing, and even a different variation of the stars on the dials is amazing. That being said, I am saving up for one of my favorite watches, the A. Lange Daymatic in blue: www.alange-soehne.com/en/timepieces/lange1-daymatic/320028-white-gold-blue-dial It is a bit humbler, design wise, than the watches on this video, but for some reason I must have it haha. Take care, Alex
Hi Lokbatan, the Daymatic is a beautiful choice, and the price tag of 39.200€ is breathtaking! I have a Harry Winston Premiere Bi-retrograde with the days-of-the-week being one of the two retrogrades. The retrograde is by Agenhor, and I wonder if he worked at all with A. Lange on this stunning piece. I've found a stainless steel Glashütte Original PanoReserve to be an affordable alternative, but like you, I too prefer the Daymatic. (www.chrono24.com/glashuetteoriginal/glashuette-original-panoreserve--1-65-01-26-12-35--id9356694.htm ) Cheers, Bill
Dear Bill: CVDK takes my breath away. He comes out of a historic tradition where the highest purpose of horology was to provide instruments that were not just devices to tell time but to provide accurate astronomical tools which were reflective of true science. The mathematical underpinnings of his work goes far beyond that of a mere horological artisan, even one of the first rank. I became aware of the relative accessibility of CVDK watches in the secondary market awhile ago on Chrono24 but I could not fathom buying a CVDK watch online and remotely without a physical inspection and orientation as to how it works more than any other timepiece. CVDK is one of the giants of contemporary scientific watchmaking. Best regards, Howard
Well put Howard! If it weren't for CVDK, we'd have no one who has the passion for mechanical astronomical watches he represents. I saw one of his early ones from the 1990s - Satellite Du Monde that is a huge temptation! Cheers, Bill
Don hains on clives channel acted very immature and obviously knew his argument was poor because he just shouted and hung up thata not a sign of a very well educated and well thought out argument if clive keeps having that idiot on his channle im going to unsubscribe as i could just do without that kind of silliness anyway thanks for some real watch talk i feel way better now
Hey Nick, I have a lot of respect for Don and did not intend to insult him nor Rolex. We just have different ideas about innovation in mechanical watchmaking. None of us need more drama in watch forums or discussions, and I am sorry to have unset Don and perhaps thrown a damper on the discussion. Kindest regards, Bill
@@watchartsci no no not at all you shouldn't feel sorry you never attacked him you stated an opinion like he did and he threw his toys out the pram .and i respect you but don not so much i actually agree whith his idea that rolex have a constant improvement scheme but you stated another side wich i also agree with rolex dose not do art they make tool watches. There very good watches but i cant see how anyone can argue that rolex dose art but each to there own and thats my whole point how on earh did don get so upset when he said his thoughts and you did so too .you dont need to feel sorry for upsetting him. Its not like you was personal or said his watches are crappy or anything like that .anyways sorry i Brought it up i really shouldn't have as im just adding to drama honestly .thanks for answering me bill and on a positive note im just waiting for my watch parts to turn up to build my first watch im really excited you inspired me to pull the finger out and just do it
