Christian Klings is one of the most revered watchmakers amongst the aficionados of independent watchmaking.

Klings, a German born and based watchmaker is known by the cognoscenti for his superlative timepieces made by hand using traditional watchmaking methods. The design of each watch is first sketched with pen on paper – he never uses computers in his work.

Each component bears the differences of handmade work, leaving slight variants in the texture of the Geneva stripes or guilloché work of the dial with its own distinctive character.
Klings is as much an artist as he is a watchmaker and thus focuses on creating bespoke timepieces upon commission from savvy collectors. His creations have ranged from a 10-second tourbillon with a free balance escapement, to detent escapements to highly finished time-only watches with single-beat escapements.

The present CK1 features a cavalcade of details making a truly exceptional piece. It features a power reserve at 12 and a moonphase indication at 6 o’clock. The moonphase disc is in fact blued steel which gives it such a deep color.

Even though Klings is a traditionalist he is open to new techniques, such as what he has done with the dial (which he also handmakes) whereas the sections around the power reserve and moonphase have a vertical guilloché pattern, the central blue area of the dial is made of silk which has been conglomerated into the dial giving it such a particular color and texture.

Other that a few elements taken from a vintage AS 1130 caliber the movement is fully made by Klings as well.