Joker Five

Konstantin Chaykin’s Joker watch became a sensation amongst watchmaking connoisseurs in 2017. In 2022, the master horologist decided to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the popular model by creating an entirely new Joker 5 model with a new design and a new complication.

When working on the first Wristmon, the watchmaker’s main challenge, according to him, was to develop an anthropomorphic dial. A watch that could smile and “make eyes at you” became more than a utilitarian piece; it became a kinematic art object that could surprise, cause laughter or inspire admiration. The new Joker 5 joins an already extensive and diverse Wristmon collection. It embodies the legendary denizen of DC Comics’ Gotham City.

When considering the new model, Konstantin Chaykin decided to use a skeleton dial similar to the unique Martian Tourbillon Wristmon created for the Only Watch 2021 auction. This structure makes the main functional components of the Joker’s indication module visible from the dial side. Incidentally, the master has redesigned this module: the smiling moonphase indicator has been replaced by a new day-of-the-week sector indicator: another wide, mischievous grin from ear to ear.

New for the Wristmon collection, the indication module main plate finish is made using two textures – a grained micro-textured finish and a dark grey anthracite coating – creates a grainy frosted effect and an illusion of depth of the watch structure. The contrasting red, green and metallic grey of the dial are characteristic of the pop-art style.

Konstantin Chaykin equipped the movement with four wheels with ornate bridges forming the symbol of one of the card suits: hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs. These wheels bear the Joker symbol: two cogged levers of the drive of the day-of-the-week sector indicator are shaped like a stylized letter J. This Joker cogged lever is an innovation and a new entry to the watchmaker’s list of designs. The rotor of the automatic winding mechanism is also embossed with the Joker emblem. Konstantin Chaykin designed the bow-tie strap especially for the Joker 5.