Konstantin Chaykin Grimaldi the Clown

The Clown watch, created by Konstantin Chaykin in the autumn of 2017, was the first variation of the original Joker design. The Joker watch, from an exercise in the development of an anthropomorphic dial design, became the head of a family of a new collection of Wristmons, where the main idea of a direct emotional perception of time is found in the watch itself. With the first Clown, 9th November 2018 saw Konstantin Chaykin become the first Russian watchmaker to be awarded a prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, GPHG 2018. 

The Audacity Prize could not have been more appropriate in the reflection of the essence of not only the Clown watch, but of all of Chaykin’s Wristmons. And not only his Wristmons – the concept of audacity is one which perfectly characterises all of his work. The award, won for the Clown watch at the GPHG 2018, was celebrated in the Clown 2 Audacity watch, produced as a limited edition in 2019. We are now delighted to let you know that the story of the Wristmons-Clowns continues, as the Russian master announces the release of his new watch, Grimaldi the Clown.

Connoisseurs of the history of theatre will no doubt recall that the words ‘Grimaldi the Clown’ appear in the Charles Dickens-edited fictionalised biography of Joseph Grimaldi, Memoirs of Grimaldi, the Clown. Yes, Konstantin Chaykin devotes his new watch to Joseph Grimaldi, a great artist and the first clown to turn the genre from a show of somewhat low standards into a true artform. Grimaldi enabled the clown, one of the standard characters of the traditional harlequinade, to come to the fore. In fact, he took centre stage.

The image of the clown as created by Grimaldi, with his outrageous costume, face painted in white make-up with red triangles on the cheeks, accentuated black eyebrows and big, red lips in a mischievous grin, was carefully reproduced by Konstantin Chaykin on the dial of his latest Wristmon. The design is important as a recognition of the insight of Grimaldi, inventor of the classic image of the clown. However, that’s not the most important thing. Standing above everything else is the incredible emotionality of the first Clown, and his ability to captivate the audience with his subtle acting and quick reactions. It is no wonder that his contemporaries remarked that the only way to appreciate the skill of Grimaldi was to see him live on stage.

More or less the same can be said of the watches of the Wristmons collection. They need to be seen to be believed. Emotionality – precisely how Chaykin’s Wristmons conquer the hearts of haute horlogerie connoisseurs around the world. The emotionality we see in the new Grimaldi the Clown watch is the best way to remember the great master. We’ll dare to assume that he would have liked this watch.

Shall I? Yes! “Shall I…?” was the now famous phrase used by Grimaldi to drum up support from the audience during a risky stunt. “Shall I…?” is the question Konstantin Chaykin asks every time he thinks up a new Wristmon. The master’s latest watch is always his favourite, which he generously endows with interesting features allowing it to be regarded as a work of haute horlogerie. The dial of this timepiece is made in hues typical of the first Joker and many other Wristmons, and it would be no exaggeration to say that Grimaldi is a co-author of its design. The name of the watch, on the bezel of the steel case, is written in Baroque script – chosen by Konstantin Chaykin exclusively for this model. The same font is used in the minute- and hour-markers of the branded Joker-indication time indicator discs, made in the form of the character’s eyes. 

The caseback features a sapphire window – the first watch in the Clown series to be given this. Through the sapphire window one can see the entire disc rotor of the automatic winding system and its ‘mysterious’ design. It’s a design which has previously been used in the Dracula watch. In the Grimaldi the Clown timepiece the master has chosen to adorn it with decorative overlays featuring the name of the watch, the manufacture, and a circus tent in the centre – in the form of a solar ring with the manufacture’s logo.

Joseph Grimaldi gave us another catchphrase, which appears in various shows and even the songs of some performers – “Here we are again!”. Konstantin Chaykin has marked his latest Wristmon with this phrase, albeit with restraint – if you didn’t know, you’d never guess! The secret inscription “Here we are again!” is made in clear varnish on the moonphase indicator disc. Actually, the disc features two moons, though at any given time only one of them is visible. This is one of the characteristic features of the Joker-indication invented by Konstantin Chaykin for his Wristmons. And now also in the Grimaldi the Clown wristwatch.

Technical specifications

Konstantin Chaykin Grimaldi the Clown

Limited edition of 38 pieces

Case

• Material: Satinless steel
• Diameter 42mm
• Thickness 13.7mm
• Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Caseback with sapphire window
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial finishing: Silvering, ruthenium coating, multi-layered lacquer coating, wave guilloche relief décor
• Dial components: 12

Movement

• Caliber K.07-0
• Base mechanism: Swiss-made Eta 2824-2
• Automatic winding movement
• Indication module: Produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture
• Module parts: 61
• Diameter: 31.5mm
• Thickness: 7.6mm (with module)
• Escapement lever escapement
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Number of jewels: 33 (base caliber – 25 jewels, module – 8 jewels)
• Power reserve of 38 hours

Functions/Indications

• Joker-indication with discs for the hours, minutes, and moon phases

Strap and buckle

• Strap: Black alligator leather lined with calf leather, red stitching
• Buckle: Produced by Konstantin Chaykin manufacture, classic, stainless steel

MSRP: EUR 12'500

For more information, please visit chaykin.ru