Astronomical Watches

Schaumburg Moon 2

The latest moon-phase watch by Schaumburg features up to the minute accuracy by way of a moon adjustment button that allows you to minutely adjust the shadow of the earth above the moon. Representing the moon at a size of 13.4mm it is considered to be the worlds largest in an automatic moon-phase chronometer.

The Grand Perpetual Moon Meteorite watch (pictured below) uses fragments from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter so that “every watch is a unique piece with its own galactic history”.

Christian van der Klaauw Aquarius Planetarium

Christian van der Klaauw specializes in Astronomical watches and his latest model the Aquarius Planetarium is the first in a series of twelve unique pieces. In this version the solid gold dial has been decorated by well known master engraver Kees Engelbarts and shows the constellation Aquarius.

The Aquarius Planetarium is a variation of his well known Planetarium watch which was the first to feature the worlds smallest planetarium.

The platinum case measures 40mm and the watches featuring the remaining 11 constellations will be available by special order.

IWC Portuguese Sidérale Scafusia

The result of ten years of research and development the IWC Portuguese Sidérale Scafusia is an astronomical watch that is a technical tour de force and the most complicated watch created by IWC so far. Its a showcase watch that IWC hopes will attract new customers and also a way of displaying IWC`s technical prowess.

IWC Portuguese Sidérale Scafusia

A reason for IWC deciding on an astronomical watch would be that astronomical watches have shown to be the most desireable watches to collectors. Astronomical complications possess a mystique and an allure due to their visually exciting displays, rather than their practical application. Given the watches special astronomical functions IWC chose the Paranal Observatory in Chile for its launch.

The new IWC Calibre 94900 movement has over 500 pieces and features a “constant-force” tourbillon, a new technological advancement .
Since the power provided by a mainspring varies dependant on its wound state, the purpose of a constant force escapement is to maintain a constant power rate. This in turn increases the watches accuracy.

The large tourbillon which displays the seconds adorns the front of the watch on the left, along with a subdial at the 12 O’clock position which displays sidereal time (true star time) , solar time and power reserve are also indicated.

The rear of the watch is no less impressive and displays various astronomical data. A section of the night sky is represented by a celestial chart , the location of which is chosen by the customer. According to IWC its capable of displaying between 500 and 1000 stars.

This celestial chart rotates depending on the position of the stars in relation to your position on earth. Surrounding the chart are small hands that indicate sunset/sunrise, day/night, sidereal and solar time. A perpetual calendar is also included at the top of the dial, it displays a count of what number day it is and the leap year.

Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod

Russian watch and clockmaker Konstantin Chaykin designs and creates complex technical timepieces and movements at his workshop in St Petersburg. This is his latest 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

Van der Klaauw Planetarium

Dutch master watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw specializes in Astronomical watches and this is possibly his most famous one.
It is considered to be his most ingenious and fascinating timepiece and features the smallest planetarium in the world.

The miniature Planetarium displays the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun and there is also an annual calendar with the month and the date.

As you can well imagine creating the technical feat of representing the orbiting planets on a watch face require high levels of mechanical complexity

Martin Braun Heliozentric

Master watchmaker Martin Braun concentrates on celestial themed horology. This particular one features the Heliocentric World Positioning Display.

Using a blued steel dial, this astronomical watch features a central sun wheel that turns twice a year surrounded by a blue earth which shows the planets elliptical orbit as well as being a month indicator.

The wheel at the five o’clock position shows you the current sign of the zodiac. Diamonds are used to represent the constellations of Ursa Major and Orion, and the Hunter.

Price:$16,800
Visit Martin Braun’s website for further information.

Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon

The darkly distinct design of this moonphase watch by Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva features an enigmatically stylized moon face which has been hand-engraved. The moon phase indicator shows a complete moon phase cycle through its “relieved dial”.

The uniformly black appearance perhaps hinting at the long dark winters in Finland.
The K3 has a lattice-like skeletonized dial revealing sections of the Soprod A10 automatic movement within.

Limited to 20 pieces, each one comes with a hand-bound book “Black is the Moon” recounting the legend of Lilith the seductive temptress that preyed on men during the new moon.

The Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon won a 2009 Red Dot Design Award for communication design.

Source:Sarpaneva

Citizen Astrodea Celestial

This reasonably priced Astronomical watch comes with a 10x magnifying glass so you can truly appreciate the level of detail of the dials complex star chart, representing 1,109 stars.

Its equipped with a myriad of celestial functions including Daily Duration of Sunshine, Equinox Indications, Sunrise & Sunset, among other cosmic information.

Available with either northern or southern hemisphere versions of the dial.

Price:$500
Source:Citizen

Ulysse Nardin Moonstruck

At the center of the Moonstruck is the earth viewed from the top, pivoting around which are the moon and Earth indicators.
By using two discs that revolve around this central map of the earth, the Moonstruck reproduces the rotation of the Moon around the Earth, as well as the Sun’s relative position.

The moon indicator not only shows you its relative position to earth but through the use of an orb gives you the moon’s phase as well as rather ingeniously revolving so its lit side always faces the sun.

Also featuring a rotating GMT hand and disk , these can be used together with the sun indicator for world time zones.
Features a beautiful mother of pearl dial and ceramic bezel.

Source:Link

Arnold & Son Grand Moon Tourbillon

Arnold & Son are British watchmakers founded in 1764, maker of the first ever pocket chronometer they became the leading supplier to the Royal Navy.

Their “Grand Moon Tourbillon” astronomical watch combines the complex beauty of a tourbillon with its celestial design.

It uses a retrograde, hand painted moon phase that calculates the phase of the moon based on the moon’s exact synodic period.

Other celestial touches include a movement decorated with diamond constellations and a power reserve of 96 Hours.

Price:$295,750
Source:Link