Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne

The Stars collection by Christiaan van der Klaauw is a captivating tribute to the celestial wonders above, offering a unique perspective on the night sky through innovative timepieces. Each watch features astronomical complications that bring to life the movement of the stars, the phases of the Moon, and the vastness of the universe. With a focus on both precision and creativity, the Stars collection invites the wearer to experience the cosmos in its most elegant and accessible form, turning the wrist into a window to the heavens.

Iterations And Design Language

One of the collection’s defining features is the integration of celestial complications that bring the night sky to life. A perfect illustration of this is the Orion. This striking timepiece features a rotating planisphere, a miniature representation of the stars and constellations that moves every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.0916 seconds, offering a real-time view of the heavens. Far from being a mere decorative element, the rotating starry sky reflects Christiaan van der Klaauw's ongoing pursuit to make the celestial world accessible and engaging, turning each glance at the wrist into a moment of wonder. The Ariadne brings another layer of innovation to the collection, merging traditional astronomical complications with a modern, sporty design. This chronograph offers a moon phase display that visually tracks the Moon’s cycle in relation to the Sun, allowing the wearer to read the lunar phase at a glance. Positioned at the six o’clock mark, the Moon moves across the dial, from the first quarter to full Moon and last quarter. When the Moon is not visible, the window reveals a starry sky, highlighting the watch’s blend of functionality and beauty.

The CVDK Retro Moon takes the moon phase complication to new heights, transforming the lunar cycle into a mesmerising ballet-like spectacle. Its retrograde hand elegantly points to the moon phases, jumping back to its starting position on the left just before completing its arc on the right. Such artistry earned the Retro Moon the prestigious 'Watch of the Year' award in 2011. Similarly, the CVDK Hypernova elevates the moon phase complication further with its retrograde moon phase hand, super-luminova moon phase, full chronograph, and day/night indicator. These timepieces embody Christiaan van der Klaauw’s unique ability to combine astronomical precision with artistic elegance.