Introducing The New Christiaan van der Klaauw Planetarium ‘Julie’

For over half a century, Christiaan van der Klaauw has been synonymous with astronomical watchmaking, standing as the only atelier in the world devoted exclusively to creating timepieces inspired by the cosmos. Within the brand’s portfolio lies The Collection of the Atelier, a bespoke program that allows collectors to bring their dreams to life. Every element, from the materials and complications to the rotor design and finishing, is tailored to the client’s vision.

In its latest creation, the brand unveils the Planetarium ‘Julie,’ born from a collector’s wish to dedicate a timepiece to his young daughter. Guided by CEO and Master Watchmaker Pim Koeslag, the team at Christiaan van der Klaauw transformed this deeply personal idea into a one-of-a-kind mechanical universe.

The case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, measuring 40 mm in diameter and 13.8 mm in thickness. Its solid meteorite bezel tells a story billions of years old, showcasing the distinct Widmanstätten pattern formed as the material cooled slowly in space over 4.6 billion years. A domed sapphire crystal and a pumpkin-shaped crown complete the design, while the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the movement and bears the engraving “Piece Unique.” The watch offers water resistance up to 50 meters.

The skeletonized sapphire crystal dial offers a mesmerizing view of the brand’s legendary Planetarium module, redesigned specifically for this edition. It displays the real-time orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn around the Sun, positioned at 12 o’clock. The dial also features rhodium-plated Eastern Arabic numerals, each applied by hand. A particularly touching detail lies on the rotating barrel, where Master Engraver Kees Engelbarts has engraved Julie’s profile twice in mirror image.

Powering the watch is the Calibre CKM-01, a fully customized manufacture movement offering a 60-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The movement’s architecture is a work of art, featuring star-shaped bridges that have been skeletonized, sandblasted, and rhodium-plated by hand. Completing the spectacle is a rose gold-plated skeleton rotor shaped into the CVDK logo, with a rhodium-plated tungsten weight ensuring efficient winding.

The watch is fitted with a black alligator leather strap and stands as a piece unique (1/1), created exclusively for the collector who inspired it. The price is available upon request.

For more information, visit Christiaan van der Klaauw’s official website.