joker MASK

The master introduces new characters to the Wristmons collection—the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" watches.

Masks were invented in ancient times—one of the earliest known representations of a masked human was discovered in the Trois Frères cave in France, dating from between 17,000 and 11,000 years ago. The mask was created to conceal the wearer's true face, making irrelevant the emotional information we subconsciously read from facial expressions. Masks imparted an extraordinary appearance to their wearers, assigned special, even fantastical functions, denoted unique statuses, and conveyed significant social messages. Throughout different eras, masks were also theatrical alter egos.

Typically, masks conceal secrets—both literally and figuratively—such as the mythical "Iron Mask," a historical enigma that has puzzled researchers since the early 18th century. Konstantin Chaykin, an independent watchmaker and inventor, defying conventional perceptions of masks, has presented his unique interpretation in the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" watches. In his concept, the mask is not for hiding but an intellectual game. It simultaneously masks the watch mechanism behind an intriguing, ever-changing mask-like dial and, through its open structure, highlights the complexity of the mechanism itself.

Chaykin creates an intriguing Wristmon image, blending avant-garde and classic styles: the avant-garde Joker indication design combined with traditional decorative techniques reminiscent of the finest pocket watches of the Enlightenment era. The mask-dial of the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" watches has three functional elements: eyes serving as hour and minute scales and a smiling mouth indicating the days of the week. Decorative pointers include hour and minute hands with blued steel decorative rings (eye pupils), and a day-of-the-week pointer with a red rectangular tip.

All other visible elements are parts of the Joker-indication module. Some are figurative, like bridges for hour and minute wheels shaped like eyebrows and the bridge for the weekday indicator resembling a nose with a large ruby stone, reminiscent of central stones in high-end early 20th-century pocket watches. Non-figurative mechanism components create a complex microcosmic background driving the Joker indication.

The unique character of the "Joker Iron Mask" and "Joker Golden Mask" dials results from combining avant-garde Wristmon design with traditional decorative methods. The plates and bridges of the Joker indication module feature traditional frosted finishes, either gold-plated or rhodium-plated with grainy texture achieved by abrasive blasting. This decoration grants the "Joker Golden Mask" its distinct golden shine reminiscent of high-quality pocket watches from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The rhodium-plated "Joker Iron Mask" offers a monochromatic metallic palette reminiscent of mid-17th-century Puritan pocket watches.