Konstantin Chaykin "Smilodon" Wristmon Watch
In February 2023 Konstantin Chaykin first introduced the Smilodon, the latest addition to the famous Wristmons, or "wrist monsters", collection. The idea for the watch emerged in 2022 inspired by the year's symbol in the Chinese lunar calendar, the tiger. Designing, refining and assembling the complex movement took the next year. On February 16 the master first showcased the new watch in action, during a presentation of his collection in Moscow.
According to Chinese beliefs, the tiger is an unpredictable creature. Konstantin Chaykin likewise strives to escape the easily anticipated schemed, and this time he decided to look for the connections with prehistory. Paleontologists have determined, thanks to the latest advances in radiological analysis, that the last sabretooth tigers, or, according to proper classification, smilodon, had died out around 10 thousand years ago in America. In 1842 these fossilized monsters were dubbed "smilodon" by the scientist who discovered them, the Danish paleontologist Peter Wilhelm Lund.
The generally accepted reading implies that it's the amalgamation of the ancient Greek words "smilo" (σμίλη; a double-edged knife) and "odonthos" (οδόντος; tooth). Konstantin Chaykin was attracted by an unexpected association with his creations: the ancient Greek "smilo" had another meaning, "smile". And "Smile" was the working title of the anthropomorphic watch project, chosen in 2016. From this project the Joker watch and the entire Wristmons collection was born.
The Tiger in Chinese mythology is a powerful, brave and capricious creature, all the traits clearly showing in the Smilodon project, which sets its own rules. The characteristic smile of the Joker and other wristmons is replaced by a tusky maw, framed by powerful saber-like fangs which gave the prehistoric predator its name. When night falls, the movable lower jaw closes, hiding a petroglyph-style image of an extinct prey animal, one which Smilodon have likely hunted. In this petroglyphs Konstantin Chaykin has hidden the names of the days of the week. In the morning the jaws open again, revealing a new petroglyph, indicating the new day. A camelops, a mammoth, a mastodon… The final one is a man, a symbol used by Konstantin Chaykin for Sunday, the seventh day of creation according to the Old Testament. Though the owner of the watch can decide for themselves from which petroglyph to start the week.
Felines, including Smilodon before they went extinct, love to have their chin scratched. The owner of the Smilodon watch would always be able to treat their mechanical pet by using the winding crown installed in the "6 o'clock" position, directly under the Smilodon's chin. The watch is equipped with an automatic caliber, so if it's worn regularly there is no need to use the winding crown at all. But the master is sure that even just touching the winding crown of a watch in the morning, while putting it on, brings good luck.
The image of the Smilodon in completed by a bronze case, a bronze-colored clock dial decorated with four different kinds of guilloche finish, exceedingly hard to manufacture and finish, and crazed yellow tiger eyes, which spin around indicating the time. To get the shade of yellow exactly right, the master personally covered the time indicator disks with hundreds of superfine layers of lacquer. The top lugs are shaped like smilodon ears, and the bottom ones have a classic oblique shape familiar from other models in the Wristmons collection, starting with the Joker.
The back of the casing is made of titanium, thanks to which the bronze case which will acquire patina overtime will not leave marks on the wrist. The caseback has a sapphire-covered window showcasing the high-class self-winding K.08-2 caliber based on the Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002. The self-winding rotor is decorated with a relief of a smilodon and its terrifying fanged smile. The basic movement is complemented by the Joker-indication module produced by the "Konstantin Chaykin" manufacture, modified and combined with Smilodon-indication of the day\night cycle.
The theme of Smilodon and its fangs is not limited to these decorations: specifically for this model Konstantin Chaykin designed a custom collectable leather watchstrap with two-row perforation for the buckle with double pin. Is it even worth mentioning that the pins are shaped like smilodon fangs? A charming little detail.
The ancient Chinese wisemen knew: once you succumb to the tiger's charm, it's very difficult to escape it's claws.
Technical specifications
Konstantin Chaykin "Smilodon" Watch
Limited edition of 8 pieces
Case
- Material: Ferrous bronze
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 13 mm
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with noneflecting coating, 34.5 mm diameter
- Number of case parts: 49
- Case back: titanium with a sapphire window
- Water-resistant to 50 metres
Dial
- Dial finish four types of guilloche, multi-layered laquer
- Number of dial parts 32
Movement
- Caliber K.08-2 with automatic winding
- Indication module "Konstantin Chaykin" manufacture
- Base movement Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002, modified
- Diameter: 31.5 mm
- Thickness: 7.6 mm (with module)
- Escapement anchor
- Balance frequency: 28'800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve of 50 hours
- Number of jewels: 50 (base movement – 28, module – 22)
- Number of module pieces: 142
Functions/Indications
- Joker-indication of time with disk hour and minute indicators and a day of the week indicator
- Smilodon day\night indication
Strap and buckle
- Exclusive, fine leather strap
- Buckle "Konstantin Chaykin" manufacture, special issue, titanium
MSRP
- EUR 32'000
- RUB 4'000'000
For more informartion, please visit chaykin.ru
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