MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF ASTRONOMICAL COMPLICATIONS

Astronomy, time in its purest form is the source of inspiration for the most famous watch atelier in the Netherlands. It is the only atelier in the world that is completely devoted to the design and the production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches.

CHRISTIAAN VAN DER KLAAUW

Active 1974 - 2009

Mr. Christiaan van der Klaauw (1944) was born in Leiden, the city where the Netherlands’ greatest scientist of all times, namesake and inspiration Christiaan Huygens started his studies in 1645. Completing his education at the Leidse Instrumentenmakers School (LiS) and a clockmaking course, Van der Klaauw moved from Leiden to the city Joure in 1967. There, he joined a horologist specializing in Friesian grandfather clocks, immersing himself in the rich tradition of timekeeping.

In 1974, Christiaan van der Klaauw established his own atelier, unveiling his first clock adorned with astronomical complications. He received in 1989 an honorable membership of the Swiss Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI), whose members include watchmaking greats such as Vincent Calabrese, George Daniels, François-Paul Journe and Franck Muller. His innovative prowess shone in 1992 when his Pendule Variable clock claimed the prize for the most innovative watch design in Basel, Switzerland.

Two years later he started with his first wrist watch, the CVDK Satellite du Monde which he presented in 1996. The watch showed the time, day and date, as well as the moon phase, day and night indicator and the place on earth where it is exactly noon at the time you are looking at your watch. It remains an amazing and elegant watch even today. In 1999 he presented the masterpiece CVDK Planetarium, equipped with the smallest mechanical planetarium in the world. He retired in 2009.

Mr. Christiaan van der Klaauw also crafted numerous watches and clocks throughout his career without astronomical complications. This particular part of his history is dedicated solely to timepieces featuring an astronomical complication.

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DANIËL REINTJES & MARIA REINTJES

Active 2009 - until today

In 2009, a new era dawned upon Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches. Having gracefully reached the shores of retirement, Christiaan van der Klaauw entrusted his atelier to the capable hands of the designer couple Daniël Reintjes and Maria Reintjes. After 10 years of friendship and collaboration with Christiaan, Daniël Reintjes (1962), born in Amsterdam, assumed the mantle of succession, joined by Maria Reintjes (1975), born in Utrecht the Netherlands. They have a successful history in concept, design and strategy - owning and creating different design companies, including the brand Dark Rush. They both studied at the Academy for Art Direction & Design in Amsterdam.

The designer couple Reintjes immediately started repositioning the brand. The new directors decided to focus exclusively on astronomical watches, and ‘Astronomical Watches’ was added to the name. Under their stewardship, the brand underwent a metamorphosis, a new collection and beautiful astronomical complications ensued - including the CVDK Real Moon series with the most accurate 3D moon phase in the world.

In 2009, with this astronomical path Daniel and Maria designed a new CVDK logo and a distinctive astronomical CVDK signature design ensuring recognition in every CVDK watch from that point onward. The main characteristic of the CVDK watches is the astronomical complication, with each timepiece boasting one or more astronomical complications. Additionally, they decided to choose and design a distinctive signature dial material: the now iconic Aventurine Glass dials, infusing each timepiece with a captivating celestial display that evolves with light, serving as a perfect backdrop for the complex astronomical features.

Two special Planetarium masterpieces were developed by them exclusively for the high jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels, in 2014 the ‘Midnight Planétarium Poetic Complication’ and in 2018 the Lady Arpels Planétarium’ - winning the prestigious GPHG Award in 2018.

Daniël and Maria elevated their CVDK brand into a niche of its own - becoming the only watch atelier in the world that is completely devoted to the design and the production of exclusive, hand-made astronomical watches. In 2016, their commitment to excellence was recognized as an Haute Horlogerie atelier by the Fondation Haute Horlogerie (FHH). Only 65 luxury watchbrands in the world qualified and could claim the respected term of ‘Haute Horlogerie’.

In 2021 Daniël and Maria received the ultimate acknowledgement in watchmaking being awarded the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) - Calendar and Astronomy Watch Award for the ‘CVDK Planetarium Eise Eisinga’ at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The ‘Oscars’ of watchmaking.

In the hands of Daniël and Maria Reintjes, the celestial legacy of Christiaan van der Klaauw continues to shine brightly, a testament to their unwavering commitment to the pursuit of astronomical excellence.

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PIM KOESLAG

Active 2022 - until today

On June 1, 2022, Master Watchmaker Pim Koeslag took a majority stake in CVDK. Joining the existing managing board as Technical Director, alongside Daniël Reintjes (CEO/Creative Director) and Maria Reintjes (Marketing Director), who also continued as shareholders, Koeslag brought a wealth of expertise and a vision for the future.

Born in Almelo, the Netherlands, in 1981, Pim Koeslag’s horological odyssey began at the age of 18 at the Horlogemakers School of Amsterdam. Here he won the prize for the best watchmaker at school. This success gave him the opportunity to do an extensive training at Patek Philippe in Geneva. After his training he started working at Frederique Constant as Technical Director. During this 20-year period as Technical Director, he crafted an impressive portfolio of 30 calibers, including a tourbillon, a minute repeater, and a chronograph. Koeslag was also responsible for starting the luxury brand Ateliers de Monaco where he held the position of CEO.

After living and working in Geneva for over 20 years, the Koeslag family returned to the Netherlands. Right at the same time when Daniël and Maria Reintjes were looking to reinforce the company to prepare for the next phase for Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches.

In May 2023, after 14 years as CEO, Daniël Reintjes gracefully passed the torch to the new helmsman, Pim Koeslag. Daniël Reintjes seamlessly transitioned into his role as Creative Director, continuing to shape the artistic vision of the timepieces, while Maria Reintjes remained at the helm as Marketing Director. Together, this formidable managing board ensures the company’s continuity, paving the way for a future adorned with even more astronomical masterpieces.

Under the leadership of Pim Koeslag, the legacy of Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical Watches continues to evolve, promising a harmonious blend of technical prowess and artistic brilliance in the celestial realm of horology in the future ahead.

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