Whether at the Geneva Watch Days or at the GPHG, Krayon has always managed to stand out in Geneva. Therefore, naturally, the Neuchâtel brand could not miss an opportunity such as the Geneva Watch Week. In the plush salons of the Beau-Rivage hotel, it unveiled this week an exceptional and unique watch representing Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
An enameled dial worthy of a master’s canvas
The Anywhere watch is a great classic from the Krayon house. It was first introduced in 2021, even being nominated for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. But the version presented to us at the beginning of this spring has almost nothing to do with the original model.
This new iteration bridges the gap between art and watchmaking with a dial that is a true masterpiece in itself. Reinterpreting the famous painting “Starry Night” by Van Gogh, this piece was realized in collaboration with Jean Todt, combining the age-old mastery of miniature painting and horological innovation.
The process of creating this dial is in itself an artistic feat. A Swiss enamel artist, renowned for her expertise, has patiently applied colors in the form of lacquer, taking care to achieve the perfect shades that characterize this iconic tableau. Carved into the metal, small hollows welcome each touch of color, bringing depth and dynamism to the nighttime image.
The dial thus becomes a living interpretation of the starry sky, transforming each moment of reading the time into an artistic contemplation. Like in front of a painting in a museum, one could therefore spend hours (or almost) admiring this Krayon watch.
A truly beautiful timepiece (and a very special client)
Yes, this watch is a visual masterpiece. But this Anywhere is not just captivating with its aesthetics; it is also a remarkable technical achievement, a truly beautiful timepiece.
The watch case, cut from a block of 950 platinum, displays rare elegance and incomparable robustness. The chemical and physical properties of this material indeed give it unparalleled resistance to corrosion, Krayon tells us. With its silvery white and its vivid brightness, platinum also allows to offer a harmony with the blue tones of the dial.
At the heart of this timepiece beats the manually wound C030 caliber, developed and assembled in Neuchâtel by Rémi Maillat, the founder of Krayon. This sophisticated movement, composed of 432 parts, ensures a power reserve of 72 hours. But since the Starry Night is highlighted in this model, the Anywhere could not skip an “astronomical” complication: no traditional moon phase here, but a unique creation that tells the precise times of sunrise and sunset, in a place chosen by its wearer. Beyond the technical performance, this feature offers a personalization of time that touches the intimate.
Moreover, this watch was designed for a very specific personality: Jean Todt, a legend in auto racing, former boss of Scuderia Ferrari and the FIA. His name even appears on the simple date display, at 6 o’clock, in place of the months of March and September. A detail, perhaps, but one that only enhances the exclusivity and unique character of this Krayon watch, one of the most beautiful pieces from this Geneva 2024 watch week.