Konstantin Chaykin returns with another variation of his signature Wristmon “rolling eye” wristwatch, this time inspired by El Día de Muertos. Translating as “Day of the Dead”, the Mexican festival celebrates the departed and has served as inspiration for watchmakers as diverse as Chopard and Swatch.

Modelled on the sugar skull candy known as calavera made for the festival, the latest from the Russian watchmaker is the Calavera. Like the other Wristmons, it has an exuberant face with the typical features of a Wristmon – time is indicated by the eyes while the mouth is a moon phase display.

Initial thoughts

Konstantin Chaykin has created many Wristmon variants – the most recent was inspired by the titular yellow characters of Minions – which makes it seem like a great many have been produced. But in reality each edition is a small run of 20 or less watches, which means the aggregate number of watches is modest.

Still, the appeal of the various Wristmon editions vary; because of their similar complications, the models tend to converge on each other. The Calavera, however, stands out. With its bright colours and curlicues, the striking face easily evokes the Mexican festival, while being distinct from other Wristmons.

Familiar dimensions

As is typical for a Wristmon, the dial is fairly complex. Here it’s comprised of 12 components, with the base featuring a stamped radial-wave guilloche and finished in a bright silver meant to resemble powdered sugar of the calavera.

While the dial is unique to the Calavera, the rest of the watch is larger identical to the Joker. It has a 42 mm case that’s 13.7 mm high, thicker than recent variants of the Wristmon as a result of the ETA 2824 base movement.

On top of the ETA base sits Konstantin Chaykin’s in-house display module that indicates the hours and minutes with discs within each of the eyes, while the aperture for the mouth is a moon phase display.

The Calavera is equipped with a “mystery” rotor, a disc weight on the underside of one half. As a result, the view through the open back reveals only the black-coated disc with two plates bearing the model and brand names.

Under the rotor is a familiar calibre. Several base movements have been used for the Wristmon watches, but the Calavera returns to cal. K07-0 found in the very first watch in the line, the Joker.

The cal. K07-0 is built on the ETA 2824 base, a robust movement with impeccable reliability, although with the downsides of short, 38-hour power reserve as well as thickness.

Key facts and price

Konstantin Chaykin Wristmons Calavera

Case diameter: 42 mm
Height: 13.7 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. K07-0 (ETA 2824 base base)
Functions: Hours, minutes, and moon phase
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Alligator with pin buckle

Limited edition: 20 pieces
Availability: Direct from Konstantin Chaykin
Price: US$23,200 excluding taxes

For more, visit Chaykin.ru.

Twenty-twenty two has been all about the Pilot’s Watch for IWC, but with a particular focus on materials, including coloured ceramics and titanium. All that materials tech, watchmaking, and military provenance is now on show in Singapore with Monochromatic Top Gun.

Taking place from October 22-30, 2022, the exhibition showcases the brand’s aviator’s watches – including rarely-seen watches made for actual military pilots – along with its watchmaking knowhow in a series of classes and talks.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is the all-ceramic line of Pilot’s Watches named after the US Navy’s fight jet academy, Top Gun. Historically available only in black, the Top Gun collection has more recently become a platform for IWC to roll out a range of coloured ceramics.

Naturally the show includes the year’s new launches, namely the Top Gun chronographs in forest green or white ceramic. Earlier models such as the Miramar with its sand-coloured ceramic case are also on show, along with the quintessential all-black version.

Notably, the exhibition also includes 15 military-issue watches, each bearing a unit insignia on the dial, in perhaps its most intriguing section. Rarely seen since they are only available to members of the individual air force and navy units, such watches reflect the fact that the Schaffhausen watchmaker is the sole official supplier of watches to the US Navy and Marine Corps. As a result, IWC has created watches for some 350 squadrons, including the Navy Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-102 “Diamondbacks” and VFA-27 “Royal Maces”.

A sampling of the Pilot’s Watch editions IWC has created for members of US Navy Strike Fighter Squadrons – (from left) VFA-102 “Diamondbacks”, VFA-211 “Fighting Checkmates”, and VFA-27 “Royal Maces”

Monochromatic Top Gun takes place October 22-30 at Design Orchard in Singapore. It is open to public daily from 12:00 pm-9:00 pm, except for Saturday and Sunday when it opens at 11:00 am.

Admission is free, but registration is required to attend. To register, visit IWC.com.

Design Orchard (Level 3)
250 Orchard Road
Singapore 238905

For more, visit IWC.com.