A watch of intricate detail and meticulous hand finishing, the HS1 by German master engraver and GPHG winning independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke is a piece which is distinctive, unique and beautiful. Featuring one of the most traditional and challenging skills of the master watchmaker it is a masterclass in the arts of movement skeletonisation and delicate hand engraving, and a watch for the connoisseur collector of individually crated artisanal timepieces.

From the Kudoke Kunstwerk collection the HS1 is an art piece which is presented in a round 42mm case of stainless steel, with polished upward surfaces and grained brush finish around its side and along the squared lugs, it has a plump onion shaped crown with deep fluting and a rounded stepped bezel with sapphire crystal glass above, and below on the underside as well.

With no dial, the fully exposed movement plates have been plated with a bright rhodium coating, and transformed into a beautiful ornate metallic sculpture which has been honed down to its most minimal skeletonised form. Just beneath, the openworked mechanism is revealed in a captivating three dimensional spectacle which goes all the way through to the sapphire caseback, past the gear wheels, winding mechanism and open barrel.

The superbly decorated vine of bridges which threads across the display provides the essential anchorage for the pinions and the rubies which allow their frictionless movement. As well as the full skeletonisation, the surface of the remaining metal has been entirely engraved, resulting in a quite stunning example of hand worked craftsmanship, and even on the underside it is breathtaking in its tiniest detail.

Inside, the fan-like spokes of the openworked barrel of the ETA/Unitas 6498 hand winding movement are finished with circular engine turned perlage finishing, and the exposed mainspring which is coiled inside delivers a minimum of 46 hours of autonomy between winding.

Over the last decade Stefan Kudoke has been carving his reputation as one of contemporary independent watchmaking’s rising talents, and this has been emphasised by an invitation to the AHCI as a candidate member. As each HS1 is a hand crafted wristwatch, each one has its own unique personality. It is presented on a black alligator leather strap with  pin buckle.