Bring out the Clowns!

May 06, 2019,04:19 AM
 

OK, so you guys have seen the Joker.  Now it’s time to bring out the Clowns!!!

When the Joker first released I, like many others, thought how refreshing and fun.  And that initial run was also priced relatively fairly in my opinion.  I hesitated, just a little, and as many of you know they all sold out.  

My hesitation was based on the case size.  If it had been 40mm or below I would have most likely pulled the trigger there and then. 

Fast forward to the last few months of 2017 and my travel plans fortunately put me in the same city as the watchmaker and I had my first opportunity to see the watch in the metal.  It was Konstantin’s personal watch.  To my surprise the watch wore pretty well and so I was now back on board with the idea of a purchase.

These are the pictures from that meeting, with Konstantin’s own Joker on my wrist.





I did however want to think about something not standard, perhaps to add a little bit of my stamp to the watch with some subtle changes.  

At the time Konstantin was taking orders for a second run of the Joker in Titanium. We discussed some potential changes and pricing etc and in part of that discussion the Clown came up.  He showed me some mock ups of the Clown and that was that. Sold. 



We signed a contract a week or so later and delivery was scheduled to be 12 months out.   The watch was ready for delivery on time, right on time.  I’ve had it now for about 6 months. 

The details : Limited edition of 27 pieces (I’m not sure if all have been delivered).  The limited edition status of both the Joker and the Clown has been diluted significantly by the watchmakers relationship with some distributors where a custom Joker or Clown (or a Donald Trump!) can be ordered.  


Hours, minutes and moon phase.  Inside is the automatic Caliber K07-0 movement which like the Joker is a heavily modified ETA 2824.   As with the the original Joker the Clown comes in a stainless steel 42mm case.  

The watch wears smaller than the 42mm given the shorter lugs.

Why did I buy it? : Right watch right time really.  I had been thinking about changing things up and adding some pieces that were less conventional.  Pieces that might have more personality (if that makes sense).  This watch had that.  I had also been looking closely at MB&F and Urwerk as those watches in my opinion also provided less convention and more personality. 







More posts: Urwerk

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 By: Teacher Yang : May 6th, 2019-04:37
好看 !

谢谢。 [nt]

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-05:11

Thanks Fab.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-05:30
While there’s nothing groundbreaking from a horological (technical) perspective here I think the concept is genius. For a serious watchmaker, and Chaykin has real credentials and creativity, these watches may have been a bit of gamble. The reception for t... 

Great story !

 
 By: keks : May 6th, 2019-05:04
And super cool piece! Titanium sounds like the right material for this one.. Anyone have a picture of the Trump? Would be curious to see...

Sorry my bad....

 
 By: keks : May 6th, 2019-05:26
I have never tried this on the wrist unfortunately... looks great on yours I must say! I did try this slightly different version last summer however... pretty cool as well: ...  

Correct!

 
 By: keks : May 6th, 2019-05:56
...  

Indeed. [nt]

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-05:31

great addition to your collection and funny alternative.

 
 By: patrickh : May 6th, 2019-05:18
Found these 2 photos of variations offered by K C. ...  

Yes, as I made passing reference to in my original post there are now ways to customize the watch, for a considerable premium.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-16:58
I do think the initial runs of the Joker (1 steel and 1 Ti) and the Clown (Steel) were devalued somewhat by this customization. I don’t necessarily mean this in a monetary sense.

Wow!

 
 By: renerod : May 6th, 2019-08:04
A special version for our dear friend and mod Nicolas!!! Well done!

It doesn’t have a function, aside from aesthetic (ears).

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-07:51
It does however host the pusher for the moon phase adjustment/setting.

Huge congrats Jay! 🍾🥂

 
 By: renerod : May 6th, 2019-08:00
I like the Joker, but the clown looks stunning to me. What else can you tell us about the finishing that appears to be great? What about the dial’s guillochage? (Is it well spelled this way?) Enjoy your watch tons and please, don’t forget to share a lot o... 

Many thanks René. The guilloche is stamped, and the pattern is a wave originating at the center of the dial.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : May 6th, 2019-17:10
I’m not sure what the name might be for such pattern. It is similar to that used in the Joker, but the changes make it in my opinion a little more attractive. I’ve noted from other owners of the original run of Jokers than the case finished was a little “... 

Of course!

 
 By: renerod : May 6th, 2019-21:31
It is a fun watch after all. Thanks for the elaboration! Best. René

Great story and such a fun watch . Love the clown 👌🏻

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : May 6th, 2019-08:39
Just am the happy owner of the Titanium Joker and like you said it wears small on the wrist . Its def a conversation watch 😁

What a clown.....congratulations again on these creative watches.

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : May 6th, 2019-13:30
I went to their website and they now can make the Joker watch tailored to your personal design. The price did go up higher than the initial Joker watch but I think it's still fair. That a super version Joker Automation is definitely fun too, so is the pri... 

Cool and fun.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : May 6th, 2019-13:48
Watchmaking and watch collecting need this. I’m thinking Chaykin and Sarpaneva might be the real heirs to Gerald Genta. Bright and sassy and loaded with attitude. Quite happy you got this. And looking forward to seeing it.

I love these! The joker is my favorite poker-themed watch, even above Christophe Claret's hold'em watch.

 
 By: jleno : May 9th, 2019-17:12
The design of the clown is based off of the face of Pennywise from the recent "IT" movie, hence the slightly demonic appearance