Konstantin Chaykin Cinema

The spectacular Cinema watch from Russian Master watchmaker and AHCI member Konstantin Chaykin is a timepiece of extraordinary innovation, technical genius and immaculate execution from the hands and tools of one of the world's most prodigious and respected Independent Watchmakers.

As is typical of Konstantin Chaykin's work Cinema is the result of an engineer's desire to foray into as yet uncharted horologic waters, and in Cinema we see for the first time in the history of watchmaking a mechanically driven 12-frame 'movie' integrated into the already compact confines of the watch case.

Unsurprisingly Cinema is a gloriously unashamed tribute to the period when photography first began to evolve into cinematography, and features Eadweard Muybridge's 1878 The Horse in Motion galloping stop-motion animation as the focal point of the watch, in its own lens-styled window. The animation mechanism is independently powered and operated, and the crown at the 9 serves to activate the captivating function for up to twenty one-second cycles at the whim of its owner.

Within the 37mm x 47mm white gold or platinum case the dial has been hand decorated in clous de Paris guilloché and coated with black lacquer. Continuing the lens theme, silvered rings display the minutes and hours, and the opposing crowns are mounted on focusing ring shoulders.

The proprietary KCM 01-0 manual winding calibre is visible through the transparent exhibition caseback, and is a true accomplishment in its execution. Here we can see the two barrels which power the watch movement and the animation movement, with the crown at 3 winding both barrels depending on the direction of the twist.

Cinema has been entirely conceived and created in house; its plates, bridges and tiny components fashioned in diminutive detail and lovingly hand finished to a standard only to be found from the finest watchmakers in the world, which Konstantin Chaykin surely is.

Considering the fact that Konstantin mastered his trade amid a disjointed Russian watchmaking industry with no formal training infrastructure to nurture new generations, the invention and improvisation - not to mention the absolutely meticulous finesse which goes in to every Konstantin Chaykin piece is pretty astonishing. Here are entirely new solutions to the art of watchmaking, using in house designs and hand made calibers which continue to push the frontiers of horology and Chronolux Fine Watches are excited to be appointed to offer these exceptional works of horologic art.

It's an honour to be able to work with this man. I have no doubt that he is one of a very small number of true inventors of horology still around today and his gift is both extraordinary and totally unique.

Konstantin Chaykin Cinema: Technical details

Movement
Calibre: KCM 01-0
Jewels: 31
Power Reserve: 48 hours

Case
18K white gold or 950/1000 platinum, with sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback
Dimensions: width 37mm, top to bottom 47mm, height 12.5mm

Functions
Hours, minutes, animation

Dial
Clous de Paris guilloché with black lacquer, silvered minutes and hours rings, skeletonised hands