THE GLOWING SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE WRIST

The CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture is the only mechanical planetarium watch in the world capable of displaying all eight planets of our solar system. In real time, it recreates the orbital movements of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune as they revolve around the Sun. For the first time, each of the eight planets is fitted with hand-applied luminous material, while the orbital paths on the sandwich dial are also lumed, allowing the entire planetary system to glow in the dark. The result is a mesmerizing display that highlights the solar system as the true marvel of celestial mechanics that it is. True to astronomical reality, the planets follow eccentric orbital paths, closely mirroring their natural trajectories through space. At the center of this miniature cosmos sits the Sun, perfectly positioned within the Eccentric Planetarium display. Each planet completes its orbit according to its true astronomical period: Mercury — 87.97 days Venus — 224.70 days Earth — 365.24 days Mars — 686.98 days Jupiter — 11.86 years Saturn — 29.46 years Uranus — 84.02 years Neptune — 164.80 years To achieve this extraordinary feat, the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture incorporates a breathtaking 3,338 gear teeth within its mechanism making it the most complicated timepiece ever created in the atelier of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches.

CREATED BY THREE GENERATIONS OF CVDK

As the shining centerpiece of its jubilee celebrations, Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches unveils its newest masterpiece: the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture. This remarkable timepiece represents the combined vision and expertise of three generations of CVDK—Mr. Christiaan van der Klaauw, Daniël and Maria Reintjes, and master watchmaker Pim Koeslag. The concept and astronomical complication are rooted in the CVDK Kepler’s Planetarium Clock, developed by Christiaan van der Klaauw in 1995. Building on this legacy, Daniël and Maria Reintjes crafted the design of the new watch, drawing upon over 15 years of creative development. Their influence is evident in the striking aventurine glass “signature” dial and the elegant new case featuring distinctive “Klaauw”-shaped lugs. Master watchmaker Pim Koeslag then translated the original compass sketches and pencil drawings into a fully realized 3D CAD design, bringing the project to life through his technical expertise and experience. From the earliest prototypes to the final production pieces, the entire watch was meticulously crafted within the CVDK atelier. In 2024, this extraordinary creation stands as a tribute to 50 years of astronomical watchmaking, unveiled by the three generations whose dedication continues to push the boundaries of horological astronomy.

MODERNISM MEETS TRADITION

For the first time, with input from Revolution, the Grand Planetarium Eccentric has been reimagined through a distinctly modern lens. The dial is crafted from silicium, one of the most advanced materials used in contemporary watchmaking. In its raw state, silicium presents a polished grey appearance, but CVDK applied a highly complex oxidation treatment—a delicate process made even more challenging by the dial’s intricate construction and numerous hollow points created by the sandwich architecture. The result is a mirrored, reflective surface that shifts between purple, green, and deep black tones depending on the light, lending this astronomical complication a strikingly contemporary aesthetic. For the first time as well, the watch is housed in a special hardened steel case, treated at the molecular level rather than through surface coating. This process results in exceptional scratch resistance, achieving 1,200 Vickers Hardness (HV) comparable to the hardness of ceramic. The interplay between the iridescent mirror dial and the signature matte-finished case creates a look that is modern and fresh, yet unmistakably rooted in the design language of Christiaan van der Klaauw.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

As the most complicated watch ever created by the maison, production of the Grand Planetarium Eccentric is extremely limited, with the atelier capable of crafting only around 10 pieces per year. The CDVK × Revolution Grand Planetarium Eccentric Si14 (Silicium) is therefore limited to just 6 pieces, each priced at CHF 145,000 excluding taxes.