Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod striking Russian 3d Moonphase watch

Russian watch and clockmaker Konstantin Chaykin designs and creates complex technical timepieces and movements at his workshop in St Petersburg. This is his latest, the Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod which was released at Baselworld 2011.

Moon walker

What strikes you immediately with this intriguing timepiece is the colossal moon that’s prominently centered in the face of the watch commanding your attention. According to Chaykin its “the most lively and realistic watch Moon in the world”

Its name, Lunokhod means “moon walker” and refers to the Russian unmanned space programme that sent up robotic lunar rovers designed to land on the Moon between 1969 and 1977(see images below)

As a moonphase watch its strikingly different with its use of such a large three dimensional moon, typically moonphase watches use a painted disc viewed through a window in the dial and are a small part of an overall calendar complication. Chaykin chose a far bolder method, making the moon the major design feature.

Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod Technicals

The 12mm moon is overlayed with a relief of the lunar surface. A silver hemispherical cover rotates over the surface acting as the moons shadow and indicating the moons phases.

Supporting this immense moon is a thumping great case of 50mm in width and 60mm in height. For the watch’s case Chaykin was inspired to use Wootz due to its lunar surface-like appearance and to further accentuate the lunar theme of the watch.

Inside the case is the in-house made manual wound movement with 25 Jewels. For reading the time a 24hr scale is used, either a half-moon or sun shaped hand indicates the time and below the moon orb a dial shows the minutes.

A fascinating timepiece from this independent Russian watch maker.

For more information on the Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod visit the Konstantin Chaykin Website or Facebook page