Astronomy - time in its purest form - is the source of inspiration for the most famous watch maker in the Netherlands. In 1974, Christiaan van der Klaauw started his own business and presented his first clock, with astronomical complications. It was the start of an exceptional story.
Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches is the only atelier in the world that is completely devoted to the design and production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches. And V Couture is the only retailer in Northern America where you can purchase one of these haute horlogerie masterpieces.
Each mechanical timepiece - from the astonishing ‘CVDK Planetarium’ - with the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world - to the ‘CVDK Real Moon Joure’ - with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world - is designed and manufactured in the modern atelier of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches in Heerenveen - The Netherlands.
Every timepiece in the CVDK Collection is made with great attention to detail, using only the finest and best materials, and produced in such small quantities each year that every single watch is a limited edition.
The V Couture team is honored to partner with Christiaan van der Klaauw to make these incredible astronomical works of art available in North America. Our expert customer care specialists will walk you through the process of selecting and customizing your perfect, one-of-a-kind timepiece with astronomical complications. You can set up an in-person, telephone or virtual consultation below. Or if you prefer, you can use the links provided to configure your favorite timepiece using CVDK’s convenient configuration tool, then simply save and email your configuration to cvdk@vcouture.com.
Collection
CVDK Planetarium
This iconic masterpiece contains the smallest mechanical Planetarium in the world, showing real time the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun. Movement; CVDK7386, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel, power-reserve; 96 hour max., ø 40mm, sapphire crystal case-back.
The Masterpiece Planetarium is the ultimate way to carry the universe closely to your heart. Our in-house designed module gives you the smallest mechanical heliocentric planetarium in the world. It displays real time the solar orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It also shows you the minutes, hours, date and month. The result is a magnificent spectacle that continues to fascinate in all its complex mechanical beauty.
This is astronomical watchmaking at the highest level, intricately designed and executed. Our Planetarium is one of the most complicated watches in our collection, a fitting tribute to the grand masters of planetarium design such as Nicolaas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Christiaan Huygens and Eise Eisinga.
This smallest mechanical Planetarium in the world is located at the 6 o’clock position. The Sun is positioned exactly in the middle of the Planetarium. The planet closest to the Sun is Mercury. Mercury is followed by Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The planets orbit around the Sun as follows:
Mercury 87.97 days
Venus 224.70 days
Earth 365.24 days
Mars 686.98 days
Jupiter 11.86 years
Saturn 29.46 years
CVDK Real Moon Joure
This iconic masterpiece contains the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world with a deviation of only 1 day in 11,000 years. Movement; CVDK7382, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel, power-reserve; 96 hour max., ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal case-back.
The masterpiece CVDK Real Moon Joure is a classical beauty representing a special interpretation of our rotating 3-dimensional real moon indicating the true moon phase. The moon orbits around the earth every 29,530588853 days. Our hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11,000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch. The watch also shows the time. And who needs more?
The CVDK Real Moon Joure was unanimously awarded ‘European Watch of the Year 2014’ by an international jury in London.
CVDK Real Moon Tides
This iconic masterpiece contains a unique tides indicator and the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world with a deviation of only 1 day in 11,000 years. Movement; CVDK7383, automatic winding, 35 jewels, twin barrel, power-reserve; 96 hour max., ø 40 mm, sapphire crystal case-back.
The CVDK Real Moon series, known for the Real Moon Joure and the Real Moon 1980, is extended with a new unique masterpiece, the CVDK Real Moon Tides. Next to a rotating miniature moon it carries a complication showing you the sea level tides in a way that has never been seen in a mechanical watch before.
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, Sun, and rotation of the Earth. There are multiple types of sea tides. In most locations you will find the ‘principal lunar semi-diurnal’ sea tide. Its period for one rise and fall of the sea level is about 12 hours, 25 minutes and 14 seconds. Waves move up and down in a special window to make this beautiful phenomenon visible.
At the 6 o’clock position our unique rotating 3-dimensional real moon - indicating the true moon phase - is shown. The moon orbits around the earth every 29,530588853 days. Our hand-made 3D miniature moon indicates the moon phase so accurately that it deviates only one day in 11,000 years. It is the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world ever incorporated in a mechanical watch.
CVDK Real Moon 1980
Taking center-stage at the 6 o’clock position, the unique 3-dimensional real moon shows the moon phase in a very accurate way. But from a technical viewpoint the mechanical indication of the declination of the sun, plus the solar and lunar eclipses, is extremely interesting too.
The declination of the sun is shown at the 12 o’clock position. The height of the Sun in relation to the horizon can be read by means of a fine moving symbol of the sun, the Christiaan van der Klaauw brand logo. At the start of the summer, the sun symbol is at its highest position and at the start of winter, the sun symbol is at its lowest position. The 3 o’clock position is reserved for the Eclipse hand. When the Eclipse hand moves within the indication marks, there is an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon somewhere on the Earth. The Real Moon 1980 also shows the date (day and month) at the 9 o’clock position.
With this very complicated masterpiece - that was awarded European Watch of the Year in 2012 - Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches proves once again its authority on astronomical watches.
CVDK Titan Perpetual
This distinctive masterpiece contains a perpetual calendar and moon phase made out of mother and pearl and Aventurine Glass. The sapphire crystal case-back has an engraving of Mr. Christiaan Huygens. Movement; CVDK8801, automatic winding, 29 jewels, power-reserve 42 hour max., ø 44 mm, sapphire crystal case-back, micro rotor.
The masterpiece CVDK Titan Perpetual is a tribute to the Dutch astronomer Mr. Christiaan Huygens who discovered the rings and the largest moon of Saturn named ‘Titan’ in 1655. This universal genius was also of great importance to the development of clocks and watches with his invention of the pendulum movement.
It is equipped with a perpetual calendar module and a beautiful moon phase indicator made out of mother of pearl and aventurine glass. The perpetual calendar always shows you the correct number of days of the month, even a display of the leap year is integrated. Furthermore it carries a hand-made Christiaan van der Klaauw micro-rotor.
Thanks to the special positioning of this micro-rotor a unique and clear view of the technical movement of the watch is provided. The sapphire crystal case-back has a beautiful engraving of Mr. Christiaan Huygens.
Collection of the Stars
CVDK Retro Moon
With the Retro Moon complication, we have turned showing the different phases of the moon into an almost ballet-like spectacle. The hand pointing at the moon phases, is a retrograde, jumping back to the starting position on the left just before reaching its ultimate position on the right. It’s an original and beautiful way to indicate the phases of the moon.
Our CVDK Retro Moon was awarded 'Watch of the Year' in 2011.
CVDK Orion
The Complication CVDK Orion is a striking example of the way we have been integrating astronomical complications and design. It is equipped with a so-called planisphere, a rotating starry sky that turns around every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4,0916 seconds, giving you the correct view of the stars and constellations above you as seen from most positions on the northern hemisphere.
CVDK Hypernova
The CVDK Hyper-nova. This beautiful timepiece contains a chronograph, a day and night indicator and a super luminova moon phase. Movement; CVDK7759, automatic winding, 25 jewels, power-reserve; 48 hour max., ø 44 mm, sapphire crystal case-back.
The beautiful CVDK Hypernova combines a full chronograph with a day/night indication, an ingenious date display and a beautiful super luminova moon phase indication.
The super luminova moon phase can be read at the 6 o’clock position. When the Moon is left of the centre, it is in its first quarter. When the Moon is in the centre, it is full Moon and right of the centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, it is new Moon.
The CVDK Hypernova is equipped with our large case, measuring 44 mm in diameter.
CVDK Supernova
The breathtaking CVDK Supernova completes the ‘nova’ family together with the CVDK Hypernova. This elegant watch has a date display and a beautiful super luminova moon phase indication.
The super luminova moon phase can be read at the 6 o’clock position. When the Moon is left of the centre, it is in its first quarter. When the Moon is in the centre, it is full Moon and right of the centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, it is new Moon.
The movement of the CVDK Supernova is completely in-house modified. It is equipped with our extra-large case, measuring 44 mm in diameter.
CVDK Ariadne
The complication Ariadne is classic astronomical watch-making at its very best, combined with a sporty design. This chronograph with seconds, minute and hour counter is accompanied by a full date indication and 24 hour indicator. The position of the Moon can be read at the 6 o’clock position. When the Moon is left of centre, it is in its first quarter. When the Moon is in the centre, it is full Moon and right of centre, it is in its last quarter. If the Moon is not visible, you see a beautiful starry sky in the window, it is new Moon.
Due to the custom nature of Christian van der Klauuw timepieces, these watches are available by appointment only.
