The conception of Ondrej Berkus’s “Minion” tourbillon came from a simple concept – the universe was created with a “Big Bang” so why bother doing simple things? He doesn’t think of himself as a watchmaker – in fact, he believes that any trained monkey – including himself in that category – could make a watch. Following the edicts set forth in George Daniels’ Watchmaking, Berkus, who studied law for his undergraduate studies and feels most at home working with his horses, he set forth to make watches that commanded his interest.

Berkus was the first person in the Czech Republic to make a tourbillon wristwatch. A long-time goal of his, he first started making watches around 2011, and had been obsessed with watches since a young age. Berkus doesn’t even have a website or any sort of marketing presence, he is reliant entirely upon Instagram to sell watches and meet collectors.
In 2021, Berkus created his first Minion wristwatch with a one-second remontoire and two regulator dials made of Grand Feu enamel. Knowing his desire to make a tourbillon, coupled with being enamored by the design of the first Minion, the Minion 2 (the present watch) echoed many of the same elements as the first, but this time incorporating a tourbillon in a titanium cage. Purchased by a collector in the United States, it is consigned here as the first Ondřej Berkus watch ever to be offered at auction.

Berkus is booked “many lifetimes” in advance, and works on commission only – he once attempted to make a limited series of watches, and decided it was not for him. For most, this will be the only opportunity to purchase one of Berkus’s creations. The watch is accompanied by a magazine where the Minion 2 is featured on the cover, and a presentation box.

PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER