Kudoke 5

With KUDOKE 5 (K5), the independent watch manufacture KUDOKE presents a fascinating advancement within the HANDwerk collection. Building upon the award-winning model K2, the K5 sets new standards in design, technology, and craftsmanship.

Unlike K2, where the 24-hour display played a supporting role, in K5, it literally becomes the star. At its heart is the large, domed, and hand-engraved celestial disk, which completes one full rotation every 24 hours. Surrounding it, the two-part dial ring is divided into easily readable 15-minute increments. The finely crafted diamond-cut edges create a unique play of light, making the watch shine in ever-changing facets depending on the angle of light. However, this function is more than just an alternative time display—it mirrors our natural life rhythm, following the sun as it rises and sets along the horizon, unbroken into artificial phases.

The intricately hand-engraved celestial disk invites exploration, revealing new details—just like gazing at the night sky. A closer look reveals the constellation Ursa Minor (Little Bear), with Polaris, the brightest star of the formation, serving as a guiding point in the northern hemisphere for centuries. This makes the K5 not only a masterful timepiece but also a symbol of the connection between time, space, and human perception. Through a meticulous process, the different sections of the disk undergo sequential galvanic treatments in yellow gold, white, and black rhodium, enhancing the contrast and further accentuating the engravings in striking relief.

The time display of the K5 is so intuitive that a brief glance suffices to immediately understand whether it is day or night (even without looking out the window). The portion of the disk visible in the upper half represents the current time. When the sunlit half is on top, it is 12 noon; when the night side is on top, it is midnight. This clear and natural depiction of time enhances intuitive readability, making the watch a uniquely practical companion in everyday life.

The newly designed case by Stefan Kudoke exudes refined elegance. The perceived case height is only 7 mm, while the total height, including the domed sapphire crystal, measures a sleek 12 mm. The diameter has been reduced to 38 mm, achieving a harmonious balance of wearability and aesthetic presence. A particular highlight of the K5 is its highly domed sapphire crystal, which spectacularly showcases the 24-hour disk. The disk appears to float in space, transforming the watch from a conventional timepiece into a three-dimensional wrist sculpture.

The movement within the K5, the in-house KALIBER 1 with a 24-hour mechanism, is visible through the sapphire case back and exemplifies finest watchmaking artistry. Crafted with meticulous hand-finishing, it features exquisite finishing techniques and traditional embellishments. To reduce friction caused by the weight of the celestial disk, KUDOKE has, for the first time, integrated a ball bearing into the 24-hour mechanism—an engineering solution that ensures low-friction movement and requires no additional lubrication.