On – The Redesigned Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne

The world of horology isn’t solely situated in Switzerland. There are proficient watchmakers worldwide, and the Netherlands isn’t any stranger to creating nice timepieces. One of the distinguished and enduring names on the Dutch scene is, surely, Christiaan van der Klaauw. A person recognised by his friends for his involvement in astronomical timepieces, the model that bears his identify has undergone an essential change just lately when grasp watchmaker Pim Koeslag (ex-Frederique Fixed) acquired a majority stake in CVDK. And at present, the primary watches created below this new administration have been introduced. It’s a model basic, tastefully redesigned with out compromising the model’s DNA… Listed below are the brand new Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne watches. 

Christiaan van der Klaauw is amongst probably the most well-known watchmakers within the Netherlands. He was born and raised within the metropolis of Leiden, the place Christiaan Huygens, the best Dutch scientist of all time, began his research. It’s not stunning then that Mr Klaauw has at all times infused astronomy into his watches. Certainly, CVDK is totally devoted to watches with astronomical problems. The perfect instance of this inspiration can be the model’s most well-known watch, the Planetarium, a marvel of miniaturisation that shows the photo voltaic system on the wrist. This speciality and the person’s ingenuity had been rewarded by his friends, as he’s an honourable member of the AHCI.

The watch we’ll be speaking about at present is a little more basic. It may not be as advanced because the Planetarium, however it’s true to the philosophy of van der Klaauw and encompasses a collection of problems that may be associated to astronomy. This watch, the Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne, has been round for a few years and makes use of a basic mixture of an computerized chronograph and a whole calendar with a chic pointer date, a day-night indication and a moon section show.

Prior to now, this watch has been launched with a silvery-white dial with a stamped guilloché sample in both gold or chrome steel circumstances. A number of the editions even had a hand-guilloché dial by Jochen Benzinger, and there’s even been a really technical model with a carbon fibre dial.

Nevertheless, the model is now below new administration. Dutch grasp watchmaker Pim Koeslag joined the model as co-owner and technical director, buying a majority stake within the model. For the report, the person has been the driving power behind the Swiss-Dutch model Frederique Fixed from 2003 and 2022, in addition to the co-founder of high-end model Ateliers DeMonaco. The brand new, redesigned Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne fashions you see listed here are the primary watches to go away the workshops below his management. The concept of Koeslag wasn’t to vary every little thing; the model has a powerful DNA and its personal persona, and Koeslag is totally conscious of that. Nevertheless, there are some notable evolutions that, in all equity, are altering every little thing you knew concerning the mannequin, bringing a recent and extra trendy look to the model and watches.

What has modified? Technically, not a lot, as we’re nonetheless speaking about an computerized chronograph with a calendar complication and moon phases. Visually, nonetheless, the dials of those new Ariadne watches are totally totally different – sleeker, extra trendy, and bolder in type and color. And though the essential parts of the dial have been stored, the remedy of the surfaces, the selection of colors, the distinction and the ornament elevate the watch considerably.

Earlier than we take a better take a look at what is absolutely essential in these new Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne fashions, let’s speak about what hasn’t modified. The three new references are cased in typical 40mm CVDK chrome steel circumstances. Absolutely polished, the case has mild curves and straight elongated lugs with a screw-like cabochon. One other distinctive ingredient of earlier Ariadne watches that hasn’t modified is the mixture of the signature onion-shaped crown and extremely engaging chronograph pushers with a so-called double gadroon. The case is framed by sapphire crystals on each side and, all in all feels very a lot CVDK.

In the identical vein, the motion and the show, two attribute parts of the Ariadne, are nearly untouched. Contained in the case is the calibre CVDK7758, which you might need guessed relies on the tried-and-tested Valjoux 7750 structure. This motion is totally outfitted right here, with a whole calendar and a moon section. It signifies the date on the periphery of the dial – a so-called pointer date, very elegant – in addition to the day of the week and the month in home windows at 12 o’clock. At 6 o’clock, there’s a moon indicator, and at 9 o’clock, there’s a 24h scale appearing as a day-and-night indicator. And, after all, the Ariadne can be a chronograph, with central seconds and 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. And all the weather dwell completely nicely collectively. The truth is, the brand new dial design improves the general legibility of a watch that includes no fewer than 8 fingers and three discs.

Trying by way of the sapphire caseback, you’ll be able to see the acquainted Valjoux base motion with basic ornamental touches, together with blue screws, round graining and Geneva stripes. What actually elevates the motion is the rotor. It’s finished by well-known engraver Jochen Benzinger and divulges a guilloché sample and a hand-engraved gold-plated solar… which is the model’s emblem, additionally named the “Solar with 12 Claws” (as a result of Klaauw means claw…)

Let’s now discuss concerning the essential evolution to be present in these 2023 editions of the Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne. It’s all concerning the design of the dial and the way it performs on textures and contrasts. The watch is now obtainable in three variations: a basic silver color; a extra contrasted anthracite tone; and eventually, a barely sportier navy blue possibility. The primary has contrasted blue accents on the fingers and numerals, and the opposite two have silver-toned accents.

Trying carefully in any respect three editions, there’s way more depth and playfulness. The extent of distinction, even on the just about monochromatic silver version, has been drastically improved by means of totally different textures, which ends up in a watch that’s each extra trendy and simpler to learn. And sure, it’s merely extra fascinating, extra luxurious altogether. Regardless of the chosen color, the dials of the brand new Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne have a frosted background with raised round brushed rings across the sub-dials in a contrasting silver color. These new dials are paired with elegant utilized Breguet numerals and fingers – similar to the now-discontinued editions. And now, CVDK’s emblem stands proudly on the dial at 3 o’clock, with a powerful three-dimensional impact.

The brand new editions of the Christiaan van der Klaauw Ariadne at the moment are obtainable for order from the model and will likely be a part of the everlasting assortment. These are worn on alligator straps, closed by a sun-shaped metal folding clasp. The worth is EUR 8,450 (incl. taxes). For extra particulars, please go to www.klaauw.com.