Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Christiaan van der Klaauw Unveils the Cosmic Real Moon Joure Green Meteorite
A cosmic fusion of the most accurate 3D moon phase mechanism in the world with a green meteorite dial.
Christiaan van der Klaauw, the independent Dutch clock and watchmaker, is renowned for his miniaturisation of astronomical complications and entered the annals of horological history with his creation of the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world. It’s clear that van der Klaauw fits the profile of an astrophile, a person obsessed with planets, stars and outer space. The brand’s latest creation, which has been in the hands of Dutch designer Daniël Reintjes since 2009, is a green meteorite version of the Real Moon Joure, a cosmic fusion of the most accurate 3D moon phase mechanism in the world with a green meteorite dial. The Moon Joure models come in 40mm steel, rose gold and white gold cases, with or without a diamond-set bezel.
Cosmic accuracy
Christiaan van der Klaauw’s Real Moon Joure made its first appearance in 2011, a simplified version of the CVDK Real Moon 1980 with a 3D moon phase, declination of the Sun, solar and lunar eclipse indicators and day/date. Frank reviewed the Real Moon Joure watch and explained the provenance of the ‘Joure’, which is the village in the northern Netherlands where van der Klaauw’s workshop was originally located. More importantly, CVDK’s creation is the most accurate 3D moon phase ever incorporated inside a mechanical watch, deviating just one day every 11,000 years.
Space Magma
When a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burns up, it is referred to as a meteor provoking the spectacular phenomenon we know as shooting stars. If it survives its perilous trip and hits the ground, it is called a meteorite. With some of the oldest specimens dating back to 4.6 billion years ago, meteorites are like time capsules providing information about the solar system.
Green Meteorite
The jade-green coloured meteorite on the dial reveals the classic Widmanstätten patterns (interlocking crystal structure of nickel-iron alloys) of iron meteorites. The Roman numerals spanning the top half of the dial are rhodium-plated, and the XII index is replaced with CDVK’s golden “Sun with 12 claws” logo. The Breguet-style hands add a note of classicism to the dial and are rose gold-plated on the rose gold model. A large aperture at 6 o’clock with a silver ring and a black depression houses the handmade black and silver Moon with its mottled surface.
The 40mm round case, similar in style to the Breguet Tradition case with straight welded lugs, is offered in steel, rose gold and white gold, with or without the double band of brilliant-cut diamonds set on the bezel. The onion-style crown compounds the classical look.
Automatic Calibre
Powering this accurate interpretation of the phases of the moon is calibre CVDK7382, an automatic movement surmounted by the Real Moon Joure module. Fitted with twin barrels, the power reserve is 96 hours. As well as the Haute Horlogerie finishings, the rotor is hand-engraved with six planets and stars with the signature12-clawed Sun in the centre.
Availability and Price
All versions of the Christiaan van der Klaauw Real Moon Joure Green Meteorite come with a black leather strap with a metal buckle matching the case material engraved with the brand logo. Prices vary according to the metal and choice of bezel. The steel model retails for EUR 39,950, with diamonds EUR 57,450; the rose gold Real Moon Joure retails for EUR 60,450, with diamonds EUR 77,950; the white gold version retails for EUR 65,750, with diamonds EUR 83,250.
For more information, please visit Klaauw.com.
7 responses
Nope: this is certainly NOT the most accurate mechanical moon phase – not by a long shot! Andreas Strehler’s Sauterelle à Lune Perpétuelle 2M is accurate to a day in over 2 million years! {Admittedly the chance of the watch surviving that long is just a bit questionable!}
That meteorite looks lovely.
In my opinion, the dial is missing some tiny gold “pearls” to mark the minute track.
Is it just me, or, save for the rotor, the back side of the movement looks quite pedestrian? Certainly no haute-horologie finishes that I can see. Is it entirely a CVDK calibre, or built on a base?
@iane – you’re absolutely right. But we’re talking about the “most accurate 3D moon phase” and not the “most accurate moon phase” which is indeed Andreas Strehler. (the important word here is 3D)
@R P – the movement is a Technotime base with a module on top for the moon display
Who cares if the watch is not the most accurate moon watch. It’s like being married to Elizabeth Taylor you make the purchase because it’s beautiful regardless of the flaws. I’m tryin to figure out how I may get a loan on my home to purchase a CHRISTIAAN VAN DER KLAAUW REAL MOON JOURE GREEN METEORITE without starving.
Oh dear, mea culpa! Note to self: read the text more carefully!
Una belleza de reloj en el que solo me desentona las garras demasiado masivas. Con ese mismo diseño, un poco mas esbeltas, y sería un reloj perfecto en su frontal. Ya en su posterior estaríamos hablando de otro tema.