In February 2023 Konstantin Chaykin first introduced the Smilodon, the latest addition to the famous Wristmons, or “wrist monsters”, collection. The idea for the watch emerged in 2022 inspired by the year’s symbol in the Chinese lunar calendar, the tiger. Designing, refining and assembling the complex movement took the next year. On February 16 the master first showcased the new watch in action, during a presentation of his collection in Moscow.
According to Chinese beliefs, the tiger is an unpredictable creature. Konstantin Chaykin likewise strives to escape the easily anticipated schemed, and this time he decided to look for the connections with prehistory. Paleontologists have determined, thanks to the latest advances in radiological analysis, that the last sabretooth tigers, or, according to proper classification, smilodon, had died out around 10 thousand years ago in America. In 1842 these fossilized monsters were dubbed “smilodon” by the scientist who discovered them, the Danish paleontologist Peter Wilhelm Lund. The generally accepted reading implies that it’s the amalgamation of the ancient Greek words “smilo” (σμίλη; a double-edged knife) and “odonthos” (οδόντος; tooth). Konstantin Chaykin was attracted by an unexpected association with his creations: the ancient Greek “smilo” had another meaning, “smile”. And “Smile” was the working title of the anthropomorphic watch project, chosen in 2016. From this project the Joker watch and the entire Wristmons collection was born.
The Tiger in Chinese mythology is a powerful, brave and capricious creature, all the traits clearly showing in the Smilodon project, which sets its own rules. The characteristic smile of the Joker and other wristmons is replaced by a tusky maw, framed by powerful saber-like fangs which gave the prehistoric predator its name. When night falls, the movable lower jaw closes, hiding a petroglyph-style image of an extinct prey animal, one which Smilodon have likely hunted. In this petroglyphs Konstantin Chaykin has hidden the names of the days of the week. In the morning the jaws open again, revealing a new petroglyph, indicating the new day. A camelops, a mammoth, a mastodon… The final one is a man, a symbol used by Konstantin Chaykin for Sunday, the seventh day of creation according to the Old Testament. However, the owner of the watch can decide for themselves from witch petroglyph to start the week.
Felines, including Smilodon before they went extinct, love to have their chin scratched. The owner of the Smilodon watch would always be able to treat their mechanical pet by using the winding crown installed in the “6 o’clock” position, directly under the Smilodon’s chin. The watch is equipped with an automatic calibre, so if it’s worn regularly, there is no need to use the winding crown at all. But the master is sure that even just touching the winding crown of a watch in the morning, while putting it on, brings good luck.
The image of the Smilodon in completed by a bronze case, a bronze-colored clock dial decorated with four different kinds of guilloche finish, exceedingly hard to manufacture and finish, and crazed yellow tiger eyes, which spin around indicating the time. To get the shade of yellow exactly right, the master personally covered the time indicator disks with hundreds of superfine layers of lacquer. The top lugs are shaped like smilodon ears, and the bottom ones have a classic oblique shape familiar from other models in the Wristmons collection, starting with the Joker.
The back of the casing is made of titanium, thanks to which the bronze case which will acquire patina overtime will not leave marks on the wrist. The caseback has a sapphire-covered window showcasing the high-class self-winding K.08-2 caliber based on the Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002. The selfwinding rotor is decorated with a relief of a smilodon and its terrifying fanged smile. The basic movement is complemented by the Joker-indication module produced by the “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture, modified and combined with Smilodon-indication of the day\night cycle. The theme of Smilodon and its fangs is not limited to these decorations: specifically for this model Konstantin Chaykin designed a custom collectable leather watchstrap with two-row perforation for the buckle with double pin. Is it even worth mentioning that the pins are shaped like smilodon fangs? A charming little detail.
The ancient Chinese wisemen knew: once you succumb to the tiger’s charm, it’s very difficult to escape it’s claws.
Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon Technical Specifications
Smilodon – Limited edition of 8 pieces – 4 000 000₽
Movement
- Caliber K.08-2 with automatic winding
- Indication module “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture
- Base movement Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002, modified
- Movement size 31,5 mm diameter, 7,6 mm thickness (with module)
- Escapement anchor
- Balance frequency 28 800 vph
- Power reserve 50 hours
- Number of jewels 50 (base movement – 28, module – 22)
- Number of module pieces 142
- Functions Joker-indication of time with disk hour and minute indicators and a day of the week indicator, Smilodon
- day\night indication
Case & Dial
- Casing ferrous bronze
- Casing size 42 mm diamneter, 13 mm thickness
- Watch glass sapphire crystal with noneflecting coating, 34,5 mm
- diameter
- Number of case parts 49
- Caseback titanium with a sapphire window
- Dial finish four types of guilloche, multi-layered laquer
- Number of dial parts 32
Strap & Buckle
- Watchstrap exclusive, fine leather
- Buckle “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture, special issue, titanium
Konstantin Chaykin Watch Manufacture
The Russian Konstantin Chaykin watch Manufacture was founded in 2003. It specializes in producing complicated, intricate Haute Horlogerie and collector’s pieces. Its founder is the world-famous watchmaker and inventor Konstantin Chaykin. He was the first watchmaker in Russia to produce both clocks and wristwatches with tourbillons, and the first in the world to make a Computus clock which showed the dates of the Orthodox Easter. Konstantin Chaykin has 92 registered patents – more than any other single watchmaker in the world.
The entire collection is based on the master’s own inventions and embodies creative freedom and progressive philosophical, design and technology spirit.
In 2010 Konstantin Chaykin became the first and, so far, the only Russian member of the international Academy of Independent Watchmakers (AHCI, Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants). From 2016 to 2019 he served as the President of the Academy.
In 2017 Konstantin Chaykin watches were shortlisted for the most prestigious international Grand-Prix of Haute Horlogerie. In 2018, the Clown wristwatch received the Audacity prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The Joker Automaton (2018) and the Minotaur (2021) models were also shortlisted.
Konstantin Chaykin’s works are a fixture of the illustrious Only Watch auction. In 2021, the Martian Tourbillon became the most expensive Russian-made watch ever sold.
The manufacture is located in Moscow, and its production capacities are limited. Almost all the models are produced in limited editions or as a one-of-a-kind piece.