Automaton Watch: Andersen Genève & Konstantin Chaykin

Model: Automaton Joker

Brand: Andersen Genève & Konstantin Chaykin

Andersen Genève & Konstantin Chaykin might not be household names for the casual watch enthusiast, but those who have been in the hobby for a long time and are looking for unique timepieces to collect have surely come across them. Collaborations in the horological industry are rare, but good opportunities often arise at the right time. At Baselworld 2017, the presentation of the "The Joker" watch by Konstantin Chaykin caught the eyes of collectors worldwide. At the same event, Andersen Genève showcased its Automaton watch featuring a dial depicting dogs playing poker, inspired by "A Bold Bluff" by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, a work intended to satirize American high society in the early 19th century.

Automaton Joker is a creation that pushes the boundaries of watchmaking. Beyond the use of precious materials, time-telling, and unconventional functionality, the wide red grin on a white dial, paired with small time-telling subdials, invokes the image of the iconic arch-nemesis of the Dark Knight: the Joker. Putting this watch on your wrist changes the way you read time, following the design philosophy of Konstantin Chaykin, who believes in creating unique pieces with individual character. The dial features a guilloché pattern with small sub-dials on the left and right displaying the hours and minutes, respectively. The black pupils move around both dials, creating a curious and amusing gaze for the wearer throughout the day. Within the wide red grin, which captures the villain's signature smile, lies a moon phase complication. The dial is engraved with "Andersen & Chaykin," perfectly highlighting the collaboration between the two brands.

The case back usually displays the watch movement, but that is not what you would expect to see here. The back of the watch is replaced by a theatrical scene: the Joker playing poker with familiar characters like the Penguin, Poison Ivy, and the dogs that inspired Andersen Genève. Every piece is handcrafted. When you press the button at 10 o'clock, all the characters come to life and move for 2 minutes. This is a feature known as an "Automaton," an innovation invented in the 17th century that serves as the foundation for robotics and computers.

The case is made of red gold, composed of gold:copper:silver in a ratio of 75%:25%:0%, which differs from rose gold (75%:22.5%:2.75%), making red gold popular in 19th-century Russia. It comes with a red alligator leather strap, a 36-hour power reserve, and measures 42mm in diameter and 16.8mm in thickness—3.1mm thicker than standard models. Limited to 20 pieces, it is priced at 88,000 CHF (approximately 2.8 million Thai Baht).

References:
- https://watchesbysjx.com/2019/09/konstantin-chaykin-joker-selfie-only-watch.html
- https://gphg.org/horlogerie/en/watches/automaton-joker
- http://andersen-geneve.ch/andersen-chaykin/
- https://www.paintingmania.com/bold-bluff-197_23287.html
- https://pin.it/pyfyrg5tdlp3ud