The Latin quote 'Carpe Diem' is one that takes us back to the epic scene in the movie "Dead Poets Society" when English teacher, John Keating —Robin Williams—, tells their students that the Latin sentiment for the term "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" is "Carpe Diem" and then proceeds to ask them if they know what that means. Thereafter, Mr. Meeks answers the question by saying that "Carpe Diem" means "seize the day" in English. The Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem' timepiece is a watch that truly evokes that sentiment with a solid silver patinated bas-relief of 'Chronos' leaning over an hourglass and wielding a harvesting scythe. 'Chronos' is often also commonly depicted as 'Father Time' just like the sculpture standing on top of the famous Chicago clock reviewed here.
About the Brand
Konstantin Chaykin is an independent manufacture established in Moscow, Russia lead by its founder Konstantin Chaykin, whom about 10 years ago discovered a passion for watchmaking in St. Petersburg. Konstantin began his watchmaking career repairing and restoring clocks and watches, and after finally mastering the intricacies of creating watch movements he decided to launch his own line of timepieces with unique concepts and intricate in-house movements. The watches, completely Russian made, stay true to Konstantin's ideas, beliefs and mastery in watchmaking. Chaykin is very well know, especially for his astronomical clock ‘Resurrection’ with Easter calendar, for the Lunokhod watch and the 'Decalogue Luah Shana' reviewed here.
The Dial
Featuring a hand engraved silver and rose gold dial, the dial is fitted with a patented technical innovation where by using a few shutters under it, Konstantin Chaykin was able to create the illusion of sand flowing through a blue painted hourglass located at 9 o'clock to mark the minutes, while the hour is indicated by a white enamel subdial with Roman numerals located at 6 o'clock.
Additionally, there is a small day of the week indicator located at 3 o'clock, that indicates the day of the week by using the corresponding astrological symbol per an heptagram showing the symbols for each day of the week.
The blue dial also features eleven small diamonds resembling the firmament as well as very intricate bas-relief engraving of a skull right underneath the hourglass as a friendly reminder of how important it is to seize the day, because you never know when your time will be up. As the shutters in the hour glass move, the bottom part seems to be filling up in increments of 10 minutes that are marked by six white dots on the lower portion of the hourglass.
The Case
The Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem' ref. K230RG202690 is fitted with a massive and beautiful hand engraved 18K rose gold case —more yellow gold looking— measuring 45 mm in diameter. The case band all intricately hand engraved on both sides and it features a skull on its left side.
The crown is encrusted with a blue sapphire matching the color of the dial and it is the perfect touch to provide some contrast to the exceptional engraving work. The side of the lugs also present the same engraved motif as the rest of the case band.
The Movement
The Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem' features the invented and patented new manual-wound calibre K 01-4 exclusively designed for this watch and fitted with 33 jewels and a power reserve of 46 hours. This caliber belongs to his line of movements created to tell time in non-standard ways. The bridges in the 'Carpe Diem' are all decorated with 'Côtes de Genève’, the escapement wheel is in gold, jewels are set in gold chatons, the gleaming barrel wheel and winding wheels are perfectly polished and the movement also features the gold plaque with Konstantin Ckaykin's name on one of the bridges. This beautiful calibre is fully visible through the sapphire crystal display case back.
On the Wrist & Pricing
The Konstantin Chaykin 'Carpe Diem' is fitted with a very comfortable and elegant black alligator strap with pin buckle. The watch wears true to its size and sits quite high on the wrist due to its thickness. This watch is one of the most unique horological works of art we have reviewed lately and a perfect reminder that one needs to seize the day and make the most out of it. When your time comes, you better leave this world with most of the boxes on your 'bucket list' checked. Only five pieces of this exceptional timepiece are available.
Sticker Price 60,000 Euro. For more info on Konstantin Chaykin click here.
