Arms-on with the very authentic De Rijke & Co x Miffy Particular Version

The usage of comedian e-book characters or cartoon personalities in watchmaking isn’t new. Nevertheless, we’ve lately seen a profitable revival of the classical Character Watches. Watches incorporating Mickey Mouse, Snoopy or Popeye have turn into extremely popular recently, and we will absolutely count on extra to return sooner or later. Small-time Dutch impartial watchmaker De Rijke & Co. now enters this humorous area of watchmaking with one thing very, very cool: Nijntje, or “Miffy” for non-Dutch folks. This iconic little rabbit created by Dick Bruna is thought the world over and now finds its method right into a mechanical look ahead to the very first time. And we now have the unique world premiere of this very enjoyable and restricted De Rijke & Co. x Miffy Moonphase.

Dick Bruna & Nijntje/Miffy

To clarify who or what Miffy is – for individuals who don’t have any clue or want their reminiscences refreshed – Miffy is a small rabbit-like character developed by Dick Bruna, maybe essentially the most well-known Dutch graphic designer, illustrator and writer of (primarily) kids’s books. Again in 1955, he tried to attract a rabbit after seeing one hopping about when on vacation at a seaside city. The primary design resembled a toy animal however was already identifiable as somewhat rabbit. By 1963 the form of Miffy had morphed into the fundamental design we nonetheless know right this moment. By way of the books, Miffy might be between the ages of 1 and 4, relying on the story.

Miffy’s heavy black define, easy shapes and minimalist model and colors are iconic and make her immediately recognisable. Throughout his profession, Dick Bruna drew over 2,000 covers and greater than 100 posters of Miffy. Over 120 books have been revealed revolving across the fictional character and her household and mates. The tales of Miffy have gained an enormous following, promoting over 85 million books worldwide, with numerous gadgets of merchandise, and even flagship shops and on-line outlets in a number of nations.

This unbelievable legacy is carefully guarded by the Dick Bruna property, below the administration of a Dutch firm based by Dick Bruna’s shut pal and fellow illustrator, Pieter Brattinga. This firm points official licensing for Nijntje/Miffy associated merchandise like stuffed animals, toys, puzzles, books, and different merchandise. And we’re blissful to tell you the De Rijke & Co x Miffy Moonphase is an formally licensed watch.

Laurens de Rijke, the founding father of De Rijke & Co., got here up with the thought to make use of Miffy, however not simply to easily slap it on the dial and name it a day. As an alternative, the thought was to make use of it in order that it provides character to a watch past the easy picture of Miffy herself. The result’s easy but tremendous cool, as Laurens has integrated Miffy into the watch in a extremely authentic method.

An atypical case

From the surface, not a lot seems to have modified following the launch of the De Rijke & Co. Amalfi Collection I. And a part of that’s true, however upon nearer inspection, a number of particulars are completely different. You continue to get the progressive rotatable interior case with 90 levels of “play” to alter the place of the dial relative to the remainder of the watch. This lets you put on it as a daily watch, as a driver’s watch, or whichever method pleases you alongside that 90-degree monitor.

The modifications are primarily within the watch’s thickness, the stable caseback and the upgraded water-resistance. It nonetheless measures 38mm in diameter, however the peak has elevated to 10.5mm. That is to permit house for the added complication and is achieved with a better domed sapphire crystal. The stable caseback, together with the brand new and improved screw-down crown, ensures a water-resistance of as much as 100m, double what it was on the Amalfi Collection I.

Lunar Miffy

The moon section indication, which accurately can’t be missed, is, after all, the spotlight of this watch. Laurens De Rijke cleverly used the official Miffy colors, leading to a minimalist, vibrant blue base dial with an identical moon section disc beneath. Time is indicated with the identical set of fingers and indices we noticed on earlier variations of the Amalfi Collection, crammed with Tremendous-LumiNova.

The moon section disc beneath the dial measures 20mm in diameter and is without doubt one of the bigger moon phases obtainable right this moment. It jogs my memory of the Meistersinger Stratoscope, and even the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon. The brass disc is chemically etched and laser-cut to disclose the moon and stars, and Miffy, after all. It’s then stuffed by hand and makes use of the precise Miffy colors to finish the picture. Miffy might be seen straddling the moon and travelling throughout the “window” twice in the middle of the 29.5-day lunar cycle. Utilizing Tremendous-LumiNova but once more, with numerous colors, leads to a superb show at night time.

Powering this pleasant show is the Sellita SW288-1 automated motion. This has confirmed to be a dependable different to ETA’s 2892 calibre. It makes use of 26 jewels, runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and supplies a stable 38 hours of energy reserve. The place usually the motion inside a De Rijke & Co. watch might be seen via the again, it’s now hidden below the stable caseback. That is embellished with a laser-engraved define of Miffy. Typically you’d additionally discover the person quantity, however De Rijke & Co. makes full use of the rotatable interior case. On one aspect of the crown, it reads “Miffy moonphase”, and on the opposite “1 of 25”.

In Conclusion

Simply as the usual Amalfi Collection I watches, the De Rijke & Co. Miffy Moonphase is worn on a cognac-coloured handmade leather-based strap with a metal pin buckle. The fastened lugs necessitate a studded strap, one thing that provides the watch a really distinct look. De Rijke & Co. affords further colors as properly, so if you happen to desire a change of fashion, you’re simply ready to take action. It’s introduced as a restricted version of 25 items solely, at a worth of EUR 3,300 (incl. taxes). Ranging from right this moment, the Miffy Particular Version might be ordered immediately from De Rijke & Co.

I’m stoked to see one thing this authentic, and fairly frankly this cool, come from De Rijke & Co. Incorporating the long-lasting picture of Miffy straddled on the moon is extremely authentic in the identical vein as a Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse watch. It affords extra than simply a picture of a personality, particularly when executed so properly. I’m certain the De Rijke & Co. x Miffy Moonphase will do very properly and maybe result in extra variations of the Miffy theme.

For extra info, please go to DeRijkeandCo.com.