Believe it or not, the free-thinking and independent Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin has created a watch dedicated to the Minotaur, the half-human, half-bull from ancient Greek mythology. While the Minotaur may be the most famous reference to this mythological creature, the bull is actually used in folklore and mythology worldwide. Often a symbol of power, strength, and fertility, the bull was frequently used in sacred rituals and sacrifices. It is also the sign of the Chinese zodiac for 2021 - the Year of the Ox. Coinciding with the current Chinese 12-year cycle, Konstantin Chaykin presents a special limited edition of 8 pieces: the Minotaur Special Chinese New Year 2021.
As mentioned, the bull is used not only in Greek mythology but perhaps most famously in that saga. Nevertheless, there are countless references to bulls with symbolic significance in cultures or religious beliefs worldwide. The Minotaur, however, was the result of a feud between King Minos of Crete and Poseidon, the god of the oceans. Poseidon gifted King Minos a magical bull that was to be sacrificed in his name. Attempting to deceive Poseidon, King Minos substituted the bull with an ordinary one and hid the magical bull in his herd. Of course, Poseidon found out and, with Aphrodite's help, caused King Minos's wife to fall in love with and become pregnant by the bull.
Frankly speaking, we are not making this up; it is found in history textbooks. Regardless, the illegitimate offspring born from this "romance" was the Minotaur, half-human, half-bull. King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth-like maze, and eventually, Theseus killed it.
Konstantin Chaykin's watch is less, let's say, beastly in character but still draws inspiration from the mythical creature. Housed in a bronze case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 13 mm in height, the watch features several very intriguing design elements. On the exterior, it starts with a dual crown. Both crowns are functional: one is for setting the hours and minutes, and the other for adjusting the secondary indications, which we will discuss shortly. Next is the bronze bezel with notches and an embossed "Minotaur" lettering.
But what stands out most is the dial with expressive facial features - a technique well-known to Konstantin Chaykin through his Wristmon series of watches. This series literally gives time a face, where the hour and minute subdials are designed as eyes, and the moon phase indicator usually takes the form of a mouth. As the hour and minute discs rotate, the watch changes a range of facial expressions throughout the day.
The entire dial design uses no fewer than 18 components. It is crafted in a textured brown color and adorned with intricate decorative elements. These include guilloché and a maze-patterned design on the main dial elements. On the left side is the hour subdial, and on the right, a similar minute subdial, both using a disc resembling an eye. The disc has a small white dot in a black circle, a pupil if you will, that indicates the corresponding hour or minute. The black circle is outlined with a red-on-white maze pattern to create the impression of a bloodshot eye.
The rest of the dial resembles a bull's head. On the lower part of the dial, there are two nostril-shaped openings located in the nasal segment of the dial. These nostrils display the day of the week, indicated by two discs beneath the dial. This is a departure from previous Wristmon models, such as the Mouse King, dedicated to the Chinese Year of the Rat, where the moon phase is typically indicated in the form of a mouth. The day-of-the-week discs are made from a combination of bronze and silver. The finish of all components is achieved using traditional watchmaking techniques.
Underneath it all lies the K08-1 caliber, which is an automatic Vaucher VMF 3002 movement with a custom-developed module. The module uses 67 components and is designed and manufactured in Chaykin's atelier. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (or 4 Hz) and has a 50-hour power reserve. The base Vaucher movement is upgraded with a new rotor, once again featuring a labyrinth decoration, the name Minotaur, and the Konstantin Chaykin logo. A titanium case back covers the movement to prevent stains on the wrist, as bronze develops a patina over time. As with the Mouse King, the water resistance is 30 meters.
The Konstantin Chaykin Minotaur Special Edition comes on a cognac-colored leather strap with a vintage finish. It is released in a limited edition of eight pieces and is priced at 18,500 euros. In my view, this watch is an excellent reminder that from time to time, we should take a break from seriousness and remember that watches are made to be enjoyed. So why not wear a watch that looks back at you every time you glance at it?
More detailed information on Chaykin.ru
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – KONSTANTIN CHAYKIN MINOTAUR SPECIAL CHINESE NEW YEAR 2021
Case: 42 mm diameter x 13 mm thick – bronze case – titanium case back with sapphire crystal – bronze bezel with notches and embossed "MINOTAUR" – 36 components – dual bronze crown – horn-shaped lugs at 12 o'clock, traditional lugs at 6 o'clock – water resistance 30 m
Dial: bull's face image – 18 components – guilloché decoration – embossed labyrinth design – brown lacquer finish – discs with "bloody" labyrinth details for hours and minutes – day of the week indication with double discs mimicking bull's nostrils
Movement: caliber K.08-1, base Vaucher VMF 3002 movement with custom-developed module – 31.5 mm x 7.6 mm (including module) – automatic winding – 67 components in the module alone – 28 jewels in the base movement, 8 in the module – 28,800 vph (frequency 4 Hz) – hours, minutes, day of the week – 50-hour power reserve
Strap: cognac-colored buffalo leather strap with vintage finish – titanium pin buckle
Availability: limited to 8 pieces
Price: 18,500 EURO