Konstantin Chaykin Unveils the Venus Watch
Konstantin Chaykin closes the year with a creation that once again demonstrates the singular visual language he has developed through the Wristmons collection. His new Venus model reinterprets the characteristic animated display of the series and assigns it a novel aesthetic context. The inspiration for this limited edition comes from Sandro Botticelli’s iconic painting The Birth of Venus, a work that has influenced countless artistic disciplines and here finds an unexpected expression in mechanical watchmaking.
The introduction of Venus is also notable because a feminine character has long been absent from the Wristmons universe. Chaykin explored this territory several years ago, although the initial idea never reached final execution. In 2018 the watchmaker drafted a concept centred around a Matryoshka figure with an integrated spherical moon phase display. The project was ultimately shelved while other Wristmons models moved forward. Only in mid 2023 did Chaykin revisit his earlier sketches and begin reshaping the idea in a radically different direction. The Matryoshka disappeared and in her place emerged a figure associated with love, vitality and beauty.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Reimagining the Wristmons Architecture
The essential architecture of the classic Joker has been inverted to form the aesthetic foundation of Venus. The spherical moon phase indicator becomes the face of the goddess. Chaykin has applied the features to the inner surface of the sapphire crystal, allowing the main motif to float above the dial. The graphical interpretation is intentionally reduced to a few well positioned lines that recall modernist portraiture while maintaining a recognisably feminine character.
Beneath the portrait the silhouette of Venus occupies the full expanse of the dial. Her flowing hair is represented through guilloche waves radiating from the centre, a motif that not only provides a sense of movement but also subtly references the seashell from Botticelli’s painting. At the neck sits a small pendant shaped to evoke the emblem of the Konstantin Chaykin manufacture.
The composition acquires a more provocative dimension through the transformation of the hour and minute indicators. The display that once formed the eyes of the Joker now becomes a stylised rendering of the female body. Despite the playful nature of this approach, the functionality remains identical to the established Wristmons layout. The left aperture indicates the hours, the right one records the minutes. The warm tone of the dial, created through layers of orange pink lacquer, reinforces the allegorical theme. A blue shadow on the moon sphere provides the only contrasting accent.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Mechanics and Technical Execution
The Venus model is powered by the automatic calibre K.18-25, built upon a modified La Joux Perret G200. This movement was selected for its stable balance architecture and the generous 68 hour power reserve that suits the animated nature of the Wristmons display. The calibre has been adapted to accommodate the enlarged spherical moon indicator. As a result, the moon completes a full rotation in 29.5 days rather than the standard two cycle rotation of 59 days found in other models of the series.
The movement is housed within a stainless steel case measuring 40 millimetres in diameter and 12.9 millimetres in height. The case diverges slightly from established Wristmons proportions. The bezel is slimmer and smoother which improves legibility and retains the intended proportions of the Venus figure on the dial. The absence of an auxiliary crown contributes to the clean profile of the case and emphasises the refined transition between case, bezel and dial.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Artistic Intent and Philanthropic Purpose
While Venus offers a visually audacious interpretation of the Wristmons concept, it is also linked to a philanthropic cause. On 30 November, during the annual charity gala dinner hosted by the Friends Foundation, a prototype of the Venus watch was auctioned. The proceeds are directed towards the foundation’s core programmes which include educational grants issued by the School of Professional Philanthropy. Among its priorities is the dissemination of knowledge regarding the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, an initiative that aligns naturally with the thematic focus on femininity within the watch.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Availability and Edition Size
The series is limited to 99 pieces. Each watch is available for order through the Konstantin Chaykin boutique in GUM and through the brand’s online platform.
