Konstantin Chaykin Wristmons Joker Mask

Independent watchmaker and inventor Konstantin Chaykin has consistently carved a niche for himself by challenging the very definition of how time can be displayed. His work often operates at the intersection of mechanical art and horological complexity, a philosophy perfectly encapsulated in his renowned Wristmons collection. Now, this theatrical family of timepieces welcomes two new members, the "Joker Iron Mask" and the "Joker Golden Mask," creations that delve into the historical and psychological power of the mask itself. These watches are not merely whimsical faces; they are intricate mechanical sculptures that play with perception, concealing and revealing the complexity within.

The concept of the mask is deeply woven into the fabric of human history. Archeological discoveries, such as the one in the Trois Frères cave in France, suggest that humanity has been using masks for millennia, dating back as far as 17,000 years. A mask serves a primary function: to obscure the true face and the wealth of emotional information we instinctively interpret from it. By doing so, it can grant the wearer a new identity, a fantastical persona, a specific status, or a powerful social message. From ancient rituals to the theatrical stages of different eras, masks have served as transformative alter egos, containers of secrets, and symbols of power.



This idea of a concealed secret is perhaps most famously embodied by the historical enigma of the "Man in the Iron Mask," a mystery that has captivated historians and storytellers since the 18th century. Konstantin Chaykin channels this legacy, but with a characteristically inventive twist. For him, the mask is not a tool for absolute concealment but rather an invitation to an intellectual game. The very design of the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" is a paradox. It uses the visual metaphor of a mask to cover the watch movement, yet through its open-worked structure, it simultaneously exposes and celebrates the intricate mechanics that bring the character to life.

The dial of these watches is an animated character, a face in constant, subtle motion. Chaykin has blended an avant-garde display with decorative techniques that pay homage to the classical era of watchmaking. The entire composition is a functional mask with three primary expressive elements. Positioned high on the dial, where one would expect to see eyes, are two distinct subdials. The left eye, located at the 10 o'clock position, indicates the hours, while the right eye, at 2 o'clock, displays the minutes. Below them, a wide, smiling aperture at 6 o'clock reveals the day of the week, with a pointer moving across the arc.

The illusion of a face is masterfully executed through carefully designed mechanical parts. The pupils of the eyes are not static prints but functional pointers—decorative rings of blued steel that rotate on their respective discs, giving the Joker an ever-shifting, curious gaze. The figurative elements extend to the bridges of the movement module, which are visible on the dial. The bridges supporting the hour and minute wheels are shaped into expressive eyebrows, while the bridge for the weekday indicator forms a prominent nose, distinguished by a large, centrally set ruby stone. This use of a prominent jewel is a deliberate nod to the high-end pocket watches of the early 20th century, which often featured such stones as a mark of quality.

Beyond these figurative components, the rest of the visible mechanism provides a complex and dynamic backdrop. The non-figurative parts—the levers, springs, and wheels of the Joker-indication module—create a technical microcosm. This intricate background is not merely decorative; it is the engine driving the entire facial expression, a constant reminder of the mechanical soul residing just beneath the surface of the mask. The design forces the observer to appreciate the artistry and the engineering in equal measure.



The journey to the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" was a deliberate and evolutionary process. Konstantin Chaykin first conceived of a Wristmon with an open, skeletonized dial back in 2020. This concept made its public debut a year later in the form of the "Martian Tourbillon," a unique piece created for the prestigious Only Watch 2021 charity auction. The open-dial theme continued to develop, appearing in the 2022 "Joker 5," a model that celebrated the fifth anniversary of the original, groundbreaking Joker watch.

During this period, Chaykin was concurrently developing a distinct alternative for the open-dial design, which was initially codenamed "Joker Skeleton." By 2023, this project had matured into two clear aesthetic paths: one featuring a striking golden mask-dial and a counterpart with a more subdued, monochromatic rhodium-plated finish. It was then that the timepieces were officially named "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask." However, their final production was momentarily paused, as Chaykin dedicated his focus in 2023 to completing one of his most ambitious projects to date, the astronomically complex "Stargazer" Wristmon. With that monumental task completed, production of the two new Joker models commenced, culminating in their official launch in 2025.

The remarkable character of these new watches is born from a fusion of Chaykin's signature avant-garde Wristmon display with deeply traditional methods of decoration. The plates and bridges of the in-house Joker indication module are treated with a classic frosted finish. This grainy texture is not engraved but achieved through a meticulous process of abrasive blasting, giving the surfaces a soft, non-reflective quality that enhances the visibility of the polished components layered above them.

The "Joker Golden Mask" receives a radiant, warm appearance through the gold-plating of these textured surfaces. This specific finish creates a distinct golden shine that is highly evocative of the luxurious, high-quality pocket watches crafted during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period often considered a golden age of horological artistry. The resulting aesthetic is one of warmth, richness, and classical grandeur, reimagined through a contemporary, playful lens.



In stark contrast, the "Joker Iron Mask" presents a cool, monochromatic metallic palette. Here, the frosted bridges and plates are rhodium-plated, lending them a bright, silvery-white luster. This aesthetic choice recalls a different historical period, specifically the more austere and functional Puritan pocket watches of the mid-17th century. The look is more industrial and restrained, yet it possesses its own form of stark beauty, emphasizing the form and function of the mechanical components.

The artistry is further elevated by the exceptional finishing applied to the various steel components of the module. Critical parts such as the star wheels, eccentrics, levers, and flat springs are not left unadorned. They undergo both longitudinal and circular grinding, creating subtle patterns that catch and play with light. Furthermore, their edges are painstakingly chamfered and polished by hand, a hallmark of high-end watchmaking that demonstrates a commitment to perfection in even the smallest details.

Adding deliberate flashes of color to this mechanical canvas are a few carefully chosen accents that punctuate the design. The day-of-the-week pointer features a vibrant red rectangular tip, making it instantly legible within its crescent-shaped aperture. This is complemented by the deep red of the central ruby stone in the "nose" bridge and the rich, dark hue of the thermally blued steel rings that form the "pupils." These details are a contemporary reinterpretation of the decorative traditions that reached their Zenith during the Enlightenment, brought to life in Chaykin’s modern mechanical theater.

At the core of these timepieces beats the Caliber K.09-1, an automatic winding movement that combines a robust base with Chaykin's specialized module. The base movement is a Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G200, which has been significantly modified by Chaykin to integrate his unique display system. Even the winding rotor has been customized, skeletonized with the Konstantin Chaykin logo and finished with rhodium or gold plating to match the respective model.



The true star of the show is the Joker indication module, which is designed and manufactured entirely in-house at the Konstantin Chaykin manufactory. This complex assembly consists of 140 individual components, a testament to the intricacy required to create the watch's animated face. The module and base movement together measure 31.9 mm in diameter and 9.35 mm in thickness. The movement operates at a modern frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a substantial power reserve of 68 hours. The entire caliber is supported by 36 jewels, with 24 residing in the base movement and an additional 12 integrated into the Joker module.

The case housing this mechanical marvel is crafted from stainless steel and presents a modern yet comfortable profile with a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 12.78 mm. It is a complex construction in its own right, composed of 41 separate parts. A domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating covers the dial, its curvature enhancing the three-dimensional depth of the open-worked face. The exhibition case back is sealed with a flat sapphire crystal, also with an anti-reflective coating, offering an unobstructed view of the modified base movement and its custom rotor. This window is secured by six screws, ensuring the watch's integrity.

The "Joker Iron Mask" embodies a cooler, more enigmatic personality. Its rhodium-plated surfaces and monochromatic scheme of silver, grey, and polished steel create a visual link to its namesake, the mysterious prisoner of the Bastille. It is a watch that feels intellectual and technical, its beauty derived from the interplay of textures and the stark clarity of its mechanical layout. The blued steel "pupils" and the red accents of the ruby and day indicator provide sharp, focused contrast against the otherwise metallic backdrop, drawing the eye and adding to its dynamic character.

Conversely, the "Joker Golden Mask" projects an aura of warmth and theatrical opulence. The gold-plated finish on the dial-side components gives it a rich, lustrous quality that feels both classic and bold. This version leans more into the theatrical heritage of masks, reminiscent of the gilded masks of Venetian carnivals or the grand stages of classical opera. The interplay between the warm gold tones, the cool blued steel, and the fiery red ruby creates a vibrant and luxurious composition that is immediately captivating.



To complete the presentation, both watches are paired with a black alligator leather strap. This classic and luxurious choice provides a versatile and comfortable foundation that allows the intricate dial to remain the undisputed focal point. The strap is secured with a classic-style pin buckle, which, like so many other components, is manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin's workshop and crafted from stainless steel, ensuring every element of the timepiece adheres to the same high standard of quality and design.

The new Konstantin Chaykin Wristmons "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" are new additions to the permanent collection, offering two distinct yet equally compelling interpretations of a singular creative vision. Each model is priced at CHF 40,800. For this, the owner acquires not just a time-telling device, but a piece of kinetic art that is rich with historical references, technical innovation, and a playful spirit that is uniquely Chaykin's. These watches stand as a powerful statement on the possibilities of modern horology when it is guided by an inventive mind unbound by convention.

Case: Stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter and 12.78 mm in thickness. Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on top and a flat sapphire crystal exhibition case back.

Movement: Caliber K.09-1, featuring a modified La Joux-Perret G200 base with an in-house Konstantin Chaykin Joker indication module. Automatic winding with a 68-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph frequency, and 36 jewels.

Dial: Open-worked dial with Joker time indication (hours at 10, minutes at 2, day of the week at 6). Features grain-textured finishing on the module bridges, plated in either gold ("Golden Mask") or rhodium ("Iron Mask").

Strap: Black alligator leather strap with a classic-style stainless steel buckle manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin.

Price: CHF 40,800

Notes: The watch features an animated "face" where movement components double as facial features. The design combines a modern, avant-garde display with traditional decorative techniques inspired by historical pocket watches.