Article of the week
Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work. 

Introducing Konstantin Chaykin Introduces the Permanent Edition of the “Panda”

Reimagined in a titanium case, it becomes the fifth creation in the iconic “East” series

Last November, Konstantin Chaykin unveiled the “Panda Pièce Unique”, a steel model that was sold on November 23, 2024, at a Phillips charity auction in Hong Kong.

Now, on the occasion of Geneva Watch Days 2025, this charismatic character returns in a titanium case as part of a regular production series. The idea for the model dates back to 2018, when Chaykin began sketching concepts just a year after the Wristmons collection debuted. His imagination was never limited to a single figure, alongside the Panda, his notebooks feature numerous other animal-inspired characters.

From this vision, the master set out to create a collectible series of five Wristmons, releasing one model per year, each inspired by animals and birds popular in Eastern culture. Joining the “Panda” will be the “Wolf,” “Monkey,” “Falcon,” and “Tiger,” together forming the so-called “East” team.

For the case, Chaykin selected titanium. It measures 40 mm in diameter and 12.2 mm in thickness, increasing to 12.55 mm including the upper lugs. The finishing combines vertical and circular brushing, polishing, and sandblasting for a refined play of textures.

Distinctive design elements include the ribbed bezel, engraved with the letters “PANDA”, a Wristmons signature, and unique upper animalistic lugs crafted from black carbon-fiber composite. This approach has been seen before in models like the “Zebra.” In addition, like the “Smilodon” and “Zebra,” the “Panda” places its crown unconventionally at 6 o’clock.

The Panda dial presents time in the playful, unconventional Wristmons style, assembled from 13 components. It features a striking mix of finishes sandblasting, wavy guilloché pattern, polishingbrushing, and multi-layer lacquer, with rhodium and ruthenium plating. These techniques create a dynamic, textured surface that catches the light from every angle. 
 

Time is displayed via two moving discs, the left panda eye indicates the hours at 10 o’clock, while the right panda eye shows the minutes at 2 o’clock, flanked by white-printed indices for easy reading. At 6 o’clock, the moon phase complication is uniquely represented by the panda’s smiling mouth and its moving red tongue, adding an element of whimsy and sophistication to the design. Additionally, the brand’s logo is discreetly placed on the panda’s forehead.

As with the Joker Classic, Chaykin equips the watch with the caliber K.18.22, an automatic movement based on the Swiss La Joux-Perret G200. While the original Pièce Unique used an in-house movement, this series adopts the G200 base, operating at 4 Hz with a 68-hour power reserve.

To this, Chaykin adds his own 85-part in-house Joker module, modifying the movement to integrate the expressive time display. The rotor is decorated with motifs of the brand’s seagull logo, showcasing the watchmaker’s characteristic finishing touches.

The timepiece is fitted with a black alligator leather strap with black calfskin lining, secured by a stainless steel pin buckle. The East Panda joins the permanent collection as the fifth model in the “East” series. Collectors who complete the full set of five Wristmons will get the same price as the first four. The watch is priced at CHF 18,800, approximately AED 86,400.

 

For more information, visit Konstantin Chaykin official website.

Technical specifications: Konstantin Chaykin East Panda
  1. Case: titanium, 'Panda Ear' upper lugs made of black carbon-fiber composite, 54 components, crown at 6 o’cloc, crystal sapphire caseback secured by 6 screws, Sapphire crystal with antireflection coating,
  2. Diameter: 40 mm
  3. Height: 12.2 mm
  4. Water resistance: 30 m
  5. Dial: black and white panda dial, Sandblasted finish; wavy guilloché relief decoration, minutes subdial at 2 o'clock, hours subdial at 10 o'clock, mouth-shaped moon phase at 6 o'clock in red, 13 components, galvanic plating with rhodium and ruthenium, multilayer lacquer coating
  6. Movement: automatic caliber K.18-18, based on La Joux-Perret G200, jewels 32, additional 85 components for the Joker indication module
  7. Power reserve: 68 hours
  8. Frequency: 28,800 vph 
  9. Functions: Joker-time indication, hours, minutes, moon phase
  10. Bracelet / Strap:  black leather strap with stainless steel pin buckle
  11. Availability: Permanent Edition
  12. Price: CHF 18,800 which is equivalent to 86,400 AED

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