The moon is one element of horology that allows watchmakers to wax lyrical and get their romance on.

Thanks to its romantic properties and associations, depictions of the moon are particularly popular complications for women.

Thus, Konstantin Chaykin, that brilliant watchmaker/inventor from Russia, showed a bit of his softer side at Baselworld 2015 with the introduction of a new rendition of a ladies’ moon phase watch with its mechanical sophistication on display.

Diana by Konstantin Chaykin

Following along from Chaykin’s apparent love of mythology – a few of his complicated oeuvres are either named after legendary Greek or Roman figures, or are symbolic of them – this new timepiece could not be named more appropriately: Diana.

In Roman mythology, Diana the huntress embodied the moon. Naming this watch after the goddess of the moon instantly evokes the same kind of imagery that the dial itself evokes.

Diana by Konstantin Chaykin

Naturally, the dial should be centered around a moon, correct? While it may not look like one at first glance, rest assured that the oddly shaped, rhodium-plated space taking up the inner circle of the guilloche dial does indeed symbolize the earth’s favorite satellite. It’s one of Chaykin’s inventive horological solutions.

The moon is actually represented by the pointer extending from the dial’s center axis ending in a large circle, which rotates over the odd shape on the dial that slowly fills and empties the circle as it makes its 29-day revolution. The white part shown in the circle represents the actual phase of the moon. When the hand is at 6 o’clock, for example, it is entirely filled with white; this, of course, is full moon.

Diana by Konstantin Chaykin

The blue guilloche area on the dial represents the night sky. The beautifully crafted 40 mm white gold case fits beautifully on the feminine wrist, while the brilliant-cut diamonds set on its bezel and lugs sparkle like the stars surrounding the real moon.

The dainty crown is set with a sapphire cabochon the same blue color as the satin strap. Diana is powered by new, proprietary, hand-wound Chaykin Caliber K01-6, which is very finely finished. Yet another beauty from Konstantin Chaykin.

Diana by Konstantin Chaykin

For more information, please visit www.konstantin-chaykin.com.

Quick Facts
Case: white gold, 40 x 12 mm, set with diamonds on the bezel and lugs
Movement: manually wound Chaykin Caliber K01
Functions: hours, minutes; moon phase