Grail-Watch
76
Just in: Christian van der Klaauw Satellite du Monde
Jan 13, 2021,11:01 AM
I just opened a FedEx box from Bonhams auction house containing this lovely watch. Its my first AHCI piece. I am a sucker for a world timer! It was the first Klaauw complication back in 1996 though this one is from a later reissue series.
The case is incredibly heavy even compared to my other 18k watches. But it is quite comfortable to wear thanks to the scroll lugs and the strap is in perfect condition. The case reminds me quite a lot of a Speake-Marin: I wonder if Klaauw sourced it from the same supplier!
This unusual complication shows the position of the moon as well as day and night. As you would expect, the sun rotates once every 24 hours, but the moon “chases” the sun around the dial, moving relative to its position in the sky! It appears that it was even calibrated to my time zone (US East Coast).
I’m going to have to send it off for service soon, since I don’t know the last time it was looked at. Also, you can see that one of the screws is missing from the back which makes me wonder about that last service! And I think that there is supposed to be some kind of quickset for the moon position since second crown position doesn’t appear to do anything. I am planning to send it to RGM since I trust their work.
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Just in: Christian van der Klaauw Satellite du Monde
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-11:01
I just opened a FedEx box from Bonhams auction house containing this lovely watch. Its my first AHCI piece. I am a sucker for a world timer! It was the first Klaauw complication back in 1996 though this one is from a later reissue series. The case is incr...
Second series then?
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-11:42
I know early ones had hinged lugs and many photos show a plate over the sun/moon track. I wasn’t aware of the order of creation.
Thank you!
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-13:15
I found that same image in Europa Star's archives but yours is a better image. There are also later models that look quite different. Here's a look at a later model. This scroll lug case appears around 2000 from the looks of it. I wish there was paperwork...
Yes, but these later models are made by the new owners
By: Geo : January 13th, 2021-23:18
of the Christiaan van der Klaauw brand. Yours and the other one we discussed are pure Christiaan's own creations. I am not saying anything negative about the new ones, I think the brand does extremely well, when it comes to new models. George
Huge Congrats, great catch .
By: Watchonthewrist : January 13th, 2021-12:26
CvdK is where my independent journey started 18 years ago . I have met him many times (also the previous owners) and i am a fan of the brand . If there is anything you want to know or need help just let me know 🤗. My CvdKs says hi ...
I wish I could find the manual!
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-13:17
I have no idea how to set the moon correctly. I do see that if I advance the time (a lot!) the moon changes position relative to the sun. Is there supposed to be a quickset in position 1? If you're in the USA, is there a watchmaker who knows these watches...
I don't know
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-13:17
If there is an official service center. I would love to know! I have used Universal in Michigan before but as I said I felt that RGM might be a better choice for an AHCI model...
Funny thing about that dealer
By: Grail-Watch : January 14th, 2021-09:13
That's not a watch dealer, it's a men's clothing company and not very impressive. They don't list Klaauw on their site even. I am not too hopeful about them but perhaps will drive out there at some point once the pandemic is under control.
World Timer
By: artp1085 : January 13th, 2021-12:50
Most beautiful world timer I have ever seen. Good luck
Yes they have manuals
By: Grail-Watch : January 13th, 2021-16:14
But not for this watch. I’m going to email them and ask.
Lovely watch!
By: sham1 : January 13th, 2021-15:18
I follow many auctions but did not add Bonhams to my list or else we would have been bidding against each other! I shall add this watch to my hit list for the future. Well done on your superb acquisition!
39-40 mm
By: Grail-Watch : January 14th, 2021-09:15
This is around 40 mm according to my ruler. It's quite thick at about 10 mm, and the rounded edges make it sit quite high. Not quite as bulky as my Montblanc Rieussec but still it's a pretty big and heavy watch.
10mm is perfectly balanced
By: sham1 : January 14th, 2021-17:47
for a 40mm watch. But the weight is less good even though I know many purists like their watches to have some heft. I like mine super light!
Auction fun
By: Weems@8 : January 13th, 2021-16:23
You got your CvdK. For manuals it is maybe a good idea to call CvdK himself. For my Longines set i call the designer of my watch. After a few days the missing booklet arrive at my doormat. Have a chat with the designer of my watch was short, but special t...
Thank you my friend!
By: Grail-Watch : January 14th, 2021-09:16
There is nothing like a funky independent to spice things up!
Congratulations.....
By: darmatgre-1 : January 14th, 2021-10:47
I really like the model you selected, more than the original one with the date. Amazing watch and cool complication. RGM is probably a good choice to service it, as they can generally handle anything. Look forward to seeing more scans of this one. Darren
More information
By: Grail-Watch : January 14th, 2021-11:00
Thanks to the kindness of another member, I have received more information! I will be documenting this particular watch on my blog, as I have also done for some other oddballs in my collection (the Büren Calibre 82 and Junghans Mega 1) for others to learn...
Alas, it needs service.
By: Grail-Watch : January 19th, 2021-17:51
I have been in contact with the company in the Netherlands and plan to send it to them instead of RGM as originally planned. It seems that the lunar calendar in module is more complex and troublesome than I expected, so I think it’s best to trust it to th...
