Few things captivate like the intricate dance of the cosmos, captured within the confines of a watch dial. We refer to, of course, the astronomical complication, a display that, more often than not, includes intricate planetary orbits and lunar cycles on a multidimensional scale. It’s a poetic nod to humanity’s age-old fascination with the heavens where each orbit, meticulously timed, allows the planets to circle around the sun right there on your wrist. As functional as it is aesthetic, the spatial diorama is a blend of art, science, and poetry that invites the wearer to contemplate the vastness of space.

Therefore, who else greater to introduce cosmic phenomena to its timepieces than Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches? Together with Sincere Fine Watches, the brand presents the Christiaan van der Klaauw (CVDK) Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition to commemorate Sincere’s 70th anniversary and CVDK’s 50th anniversary, featuring a universe-inspired dial exclusive to Sincere.

Since the start of the partnership in 2023, CVDK and Sincere have fostered an alliance, with prior creations marking the openings of Sincere’s SHH boutiques across Asia. This includes three iterations of the Planetarium SHH Editions — Eise Eisinga in Titanium and black DLC, and the Dunes of Mars Bi-Colour, the latter featuring the use of an aventurine glass dial in red, in reflection of the sandy grounds of the planet Mars.

This latest timepiece however, a special edition of the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Manufacture, features a miniature painted dial by artist Gaël Colon. This original design pays homage to an early prototype that Christiaan van der Klaauw initially conceived and spray-painted on his drawing board, to which inspired Sincere to adopt it as the centerpiece for this commemorative release. The dial now brings to life the orbits of all eight planets, mirroring reality as accurately as possible. They are calculated to be:

Mercury: 87.97 days

Venus: 224.70 days

Earth: 365.25 days

Mars: 686.98 days

Jupiter: 11.86 years

Saturn: 29.46 years

Uranus: 84.02 years

Neptune: 164.80 years

Notably, CVDK remains the only atelier exclusively dedicated to crafting astronomical watches.

The watch is powered by a new in-house movement (it’s the same base movement as the original Planetarium albeit with a different module) that incorporates a variable-inertia balance wheel, a free-sprung hairspring, and custom star-shaped bridges. This bespoke movement, the product of seven years of development, boasts a 60-hour power reserve and a uniquely designed skeletonized rotor plated in rose gold, crafted in the shape of the CVDK logo.

With planetary indications, Zodiac markers, and a custom engraving of the Sincere Platinum Jubilee emblem on the side and the sapphire crystal caseback, the CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition celebrates both the passage of time and the enduring partnership between two horological icons.

The CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition is available at Sincere Fine Watches boutiques for SGD $280,000.

Tech Specs: CVDK Grand Planetarium Eccentric Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition

Movement: CVDK Manufacture Movement; 60-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; planetary indication; Zodiac sign indicator
Case: 44mm × 15m; yellow gold; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Oil-painted by artist Gaël Colon
Strap: Ostrich foot leather
Availability: Limited to 3 pieces
Price: S$280,000 (incl. GST)