Christiaan Van Der Klaauw
Naarden, Netherlands · Est. 1974
Founded by Christiaan van der Klaauw
Christiaan van der Klaauw is a Dutch watchmaker and astronomical complication specialist, founding his atelier in the Netherlands in 1974. His watches feature some of the most accurate and visually spectacular astronomical displays found in any wristwatch, including real-time planet positions and celestial mechanics.
- Founded
- 1974
- Headquarters
- Naarden, Netherlands
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Planetarium — Astronomical complication displaying the real-time orbits of six planets in the solar system on the wrist.
- Real Moon — Moonphase watches using a patented 3D moon module that shows realistic lunar topography rather than a flat disc.
Timeline
- 1974 — Christiaan van der Klaauw, a Dutch watchmaker, establishes his workshop in Leiden, the Netherlands.
- 1985 — Creates his first astronomical clock, establishing his niche in celestial complications.
- 2007 — The CVDK Planetarium wristwatch debuts, the most compact planetarium complication ever fitted in a wristwatch.
- 2015 — Launches the Real Moon module with 3D lunar surface representation, patented and exclusive to CVDK.
Frequently Asked Questions about Christiaan Van Der Klaauw
- What makes Christiaan van der Klaauw special?
- CVDK is one of very few watchmakers specialising in astronomical complications. Their Planetarium is the world's smallest wrist-worn planetarium, showing real planetary orbits.
- Is CVDK a Dutch brand?
- Yes. Based in Leiden, Netherlands, it is one of the few high-end independent watchmakers outside Switzerland, bringing a distinctly Dutch approach to horology.
- What astronomical complications does CVDK offer?
- CVDK specialises in astronomical complications including planetariums (showing the orbits of planets in the solar system), moon phase displays with realistic 3D moons, real-time celestial charts, and sunrise/sunset indicators. The Real Moon collection even features a miniature moon crafted from actual meteorite material.