REAL MOON JOURE BLUE DIAL

Beautifully arranged and exhibiting a satisfyingly high level of complexity and Haute Horlogerie craftsmanship, the Real Moon Joure by Christiaan van der Klaauw is a watch of harmonious elegance and flawless finesse. Featuring the most accurate 3D moon phase ever displayed within the confines of a wristwatch, this award-winning timepiece marks a significant development in what surely is watchmaking’s most alluring complication. A triumph for its maker, and a piece that blends technical acumen with graceful aesthetics, for this edition the ground-breaking moonphase is displayed within an exquisite setting of blue guilloché.

Inspired by a love of astronomy and horology, in 1974 Christiaan van der Klaauw, established his eponymous atelier, entirely devoted to the creation and manufacture of hand-made astronomical timepieces. An honorary member of the AHCI, his astronomical complications have received acclaim throughout the world. On his retirement in 2009, the company was placed into the safe hands of Daniël and Maria Reintjes, who have continued to develop this prestigious atelier with the focus solely on astronomical watches. Notably the company has been on the official ‘Haute Horlogerie’ White Paper list since 2016, distinguishing CVDK as an independent watch brand that can lay claim to the significant term of ‘Haute Horlogerie’, the ultimate mark of respect within the industry. Named for the village where the van der Klaauw atelier is located, the Real Moon Joure expresses the affinity for astronomy which is at the heart of this independent watchmaking company, and their panache for sophisticated mechanical innovations.

A visually compelling composition, the dial of the Real Moon Joure is enhanced with a beautifully decorated surface of hand-guilloché rendered in a magnificent shade of blue, providing an opulent setting for the moon phase indication which is located at the 6 o’clock position. Set deep within its aperture, the little sphere has an incredibly detailed textured hand-crafted surface, and against its darkened concave background, it has a wonderful illusory aspect. The most accurate three-dimensional moon phase ever in a wristwatch, it is astoundingly precise, deviating by only one day in 11,000 years.

Marking the 12 o’clock position, a golden sun motif displaying 12 claws is a signature CVDK feature, with ‘Klaauw’ meaning ‘claw’ in Dutch. The applied indices are positioned only on the upper half of the dial to ensure that nothing detracts from the magnificence of the miniature moon, and these together with the graceful Breguet-style hour and minutes hands have been rhodium plated giving them pristine definition against the guilloché surface.

The watch resides in a polished steel case, sized at 40mm and fitted with an onion-style crown. The prominent squared-off lugs extend and curve beautifully to ensure a comfortable wear.

On turning the piece over, one can view the meticulous Haute Horlogerie refinement of the CVDK7382 automatic calibre through the sapphire crystal caseback. Flawless in its execution, it incorporates the acclaimed in-house CVDK Real Moon Joure moonphase complication module. Featuring superlative attention to detail, the movement is enhanced by resplendent hand-engraving on the rotor of the company’s ‘Sun with 12 Claws’ surrounded by planets and stars, Enabled via twin barrels, the calibre boasts a generous 96 hour reserve of power.

Awarded the ‘European Watch of the Year 2014’ the Real Moon Joure by Christiaan van der Klaauw is an endlessly fascinating timepiece. This edition comes presented on a blue leather strap secured with a steel folding clasp.