QUARTIME
Displaying the time in the Russian tradition
The name of the “Quartime” watch comes from the Latin word “quarta”, or “quarter”, and the English word “time”. It displays the time in a 6-hour format, enabling the owner to keep track of time according to the natural rhythms of the four periods of the day – morning, day, evening and night, as in Russian tradition, where the day is not divided into two 12-hour periods but four 6-hour periods. This is the first time in the history of watchmaking that a time of indication using the “morning-day-evening-night” cycle has been used.
The central hour hand makes one rotation in six hours. Six miniature apertures located on the dial show the hour markers, and a small window in the lower part reveals the current period of the day. At night, the numbers 12 to 5 are displayed, in the morning the numbers 6 to 11, in the day 12 to 5 again, and of course in the evening from 6 to 11 once more. Each new period of the day begins with a synchronised instantaneous rotation of the hour marker dials and the period of day indicator.
PRODUCTION
There is something special about watching the clock build. This is not just a mechanical process, but a real art, where the painstaking work of the master is combined with the precision of engineering thought. Assembling a watch is something that can fascinate, inspire, and give a sense of wonder.
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The “Quartime” watch employs an unusual way of displaying the time from the point of view of traditional watch mechanics. It combines the classic analogue method of a continuously moving hour hand with the principles of digital time indication, where the rotating hour hand is supplemented with an automatically switching scale revealing the period of the day. The sophisticated and intriguing technical feature of this construction is that the period of day indicator moves in a “morning-day-evening-night” cycle in one direction, while the hour markers alternately go backwards and forwards.
MECHANISM
The calibre K.01-3 of the “Quartime” watch was developed by Konstantin Chaykin and is equipped with the mechanical device he invented indicating “Russia time” in the “6 o’clock” position, showing the period of day on a “morning-day-evening-night” scale and synchronised with the changing of the hour indication scale. The movement was made entirely at the Konstantin Chaykin manufactory and is made according to the standards of haute horlogerie. Components finished using classical techniques: striped and perlage; fine longitudinal, radial and circular grindings; abrasive blasting; manual chamfering, polishing; polished screw holes, pins and jewels; flat polishing; spherical polishing of the axel tips; and galvanized plating of rhodium and gilding. A distinctive feature of the movement is the use of four gold ouches, and a branded regulator (a device developed by Konstantin Chaykin to fine tune the effective length of the spring).
Caliber: K01-3 with manual winding manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin
Power reserve: 45 hours
Accuracy: +/- 40 seconds per day
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