Krayon Anywhere Only Watch 2023

The world of haute horology is brimming with complications that cater to every niche interest. From moon phases to perpetual calendars, these intricate mechanisms offer a glimpse into the depths of human ingenuity. Yet, for the well-traveled watch aficionado, there has always been a sense of longing for a timepiece that transcends geographical boundaries. Enter the Krayon Anywhere Only Watch 2023, a unique creation unveiled for the prestigious Only Watch charity auction. This exceptional watch transcends the realm of mere timekeeping, transforming into a portable sundial that graces the wrist.

Krayon is a relatively young player in the echelons of Swiss watchmaking, established in 2013 by Rémi Maillat. Despite its nascent presence, the brand has carved a distinct niche for itself thanks to its emphasis on astronomical complications. Krayon's inaugural timepiece, the aptly named Everywhere, stunned the watch world with its ability to calculate sunrise and sunset times for any location on Earth. This groundbreaking feat was achieved through a complex interplay of gears, cams, and levers, all meticulously orchestrated by Maillat's ingenious mind.



The Anywhere Only Watch 2023 builds upon this legacy of innovation. While the core functionality remains the same, the 2023 iteration boasts a series of enhancements that elevate it to the status of a coveted collector's item.

At the heart of the Anywhere Only Watch 2023 lies its captivating dial. Unlike its predecessor, the 2023 edition features a masterpiece of miniature painting, a technique that demands meticulous attention to detail and artistry. The dial transforms into a miniature canvas, its surface adorned with a pointillist interpretation of Théo van Rysselberghe's evocative painting, "Coastal Scene." Imagine a breathtaking vista of a coastline bathed in the soft hues of dawn, with the sun casting a shimmering reflection on the rippling waves. This is the essence captured by the passionate artist from La Chaux-de-Fonds who painstakingly recreated the scene using a multitude of blue tones.

Examining the dial through a loupe, a watch collector would be mesmerized by the countless tiny dots of paint meticulously applied to form the image. Each brushstroke contributes to the larger scene, adding depth and dimension to the artwork. This intricate portrayal serves not only as a visual treat but also complements the watch's core functionality. The interplay of light and shadow on the painted seascape subtly references the cyclical nature of day and night, a theme central to the Anywhere complication.



While the dial undoubtedly takes center stage, the technical aspects of the Anywhere Only Watch 2023 deserve equal credit. The watch is powered by the Calibre C030, a hand-wound movement meticulously designed and assembled in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. This 432-component marvel offers a 72-hour power reserve, ensuring the watch faithfully tracks time even when unworn for a few days.

One noteworthy aspect of the 2023 edition is the use of grade 5 titanium for the case. This marks a first for Krayon, as their timepieces have traditionally been housed in stainless steel. The use of titanium brings several advantages. It is incredibly lightweight and highly durable, making it an ideal choice for an active globetrotter. Additionally, titanium possesses a distinct, contemporary aesthetic that complements the overall design of the watch.

The Krayon Anywhere Only Watch 2023 transcends the realm of mere timekeeping and artistry. It serves as a testament to the brand's commitment to a worthy cause. The watch was created specifically for the Only Watch auction, a biennial event that raises funds for research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In 2021, Krayon participated in the auction for the first time with the Anywhere Métiers d'Art, featuring a captivating sunset scene by Claude Monet. The timepiece fetched a staggering four times its estimate, showcasing the immense interest in Krayon's innovative creations.

Let's start by revisiting the dial of the Anywhere Only Watch 2023. The pointillist depiction of Théo van Rysselberghe's "Coastal Scene" is more than just an artistic flourish. It represents a confluence of art and horological science. The play of light on the dial directly interacts with the watch's main complication. Nestled beneath the dial is a complex array of rotating sapphire discs. These discs, meticulously calculated and positioned, chart the path of the sun across the sky, determining the exact times of sunrise and sunset for the wearer's chosen location.



As the day progresses, the painted seascape on the dial interacts with the ever-changing light passing through the sapphire discs. The warm glow of sunrise bathes the scene in golden hues, while the cooler tones of sunset lend the scene an air of tranquility. This dynamic interaction between art and mechanics breathes life into the watch, transforming it into a miniature mechanical universe on the wrist.

The magic of the Anywhere Only Watch 2023 lies in its ingenious movement, the Calibre C030. Let's try to grasp the complexity at play here. Traditionally, sunrise or sunset complications rely on a single, fixed cam that corresponds to the wearer's location. This cam determines the path of the sun across the sky. However, to achieve the Anywhere's universal functionality, Rémi Maillat had to devise a more intricate solution.

Instead of a fixed cam, the Anywhere employs a system of rakes and rockers. These components interact with a series of rotating discs that encode the astronomical data. The genius lies in how this mechanical system interfaces with the user. To set the desired location, the wearer simply adjusts the city ring on the case back until the correct location aligns with the reference marker. Based on this input, the movement's rakes and rockers configure themselves, orchestrating the dance of the sapphire discs. It's a testament to Maillat's engineering mastery that this complex operation can be achieved with such intuitive user interaction.



Let's imagine a scenario. Say a collector based in New York acquires the Anywhere Only Watch 2023. Before flying to Rome, he simply rotates the city ring until Rome aligns with the reference. Internally, the watch does all the heavy lifting. The movement repositions the rakes and rockers, reconfiguring how it interprets the data encoded on the rotating discs. Now, the watch is accurately tracking the sun's path along the Roman sky.

Unlike conventional watches that passively display time, the Krayon Anywhere Only Watch 2023 demands a degree of interaction from the wearer. First, one must decide on the location for which they want the watch to track sunrise and sunset. This selection adds a layer of personalization to the timepiece. A jet-setting businessperson might set it to their home city, while a globetrotter could select their next planned destination.

Let's continue with the example of our New York-based collector. Once the location is set, observing the watch becomes a daily ritual. In the days leading up to his trip to Rome, he would notice subtle changes in the sunrise and sunset times displayed on the dial. With each passing day, the sun would rise a little earlier and set a little later, reflecting the seasonal changes. On arriving in Rome, the watch would seamlessly transition to display the city's unique sunrise and sunset pattern.

The act of glancing at this poetic representation of time reinforces the wearer's connection to their chosen location, whether it's a familiar place or an exciting new destination. It's a reminder that even as we move across the globe, the rhythms of day and night continue to unfold, governed by the invisible forces of celestial mechanics.

While the spotlight rightfully shines on the Anywhere's complication, a few words must be said about its overall aesthetics and ergonomics. Visually, the watch is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. The captivating dial, with its miniature painted scene, adds a whimsical touch to the otherwise technical read-out of time. The use of grade 5 titanium lends the watch a contemporary edge, making the 39mm case feel exceptionally light and comfortable on the wrist.

The crown, used for both setting the time and the location, is discreet yet easily accessible, ensuring that adjustments can be made with ease. The blue calfskin leather strap, with its matching titanium buckle, complements the dial's color scheme while ensuring secure and comfortable wear. Even the watch's movement, with its German silver bridges, carries a unique visual appeal.



The Krayon Anywhere Only Watch 2023 is a timepiece that demands contemplation. It's a celebration of human ingenuity, where the artistic interpretation of a natural phenomenon collides head-on with the meticulous precision of high watchmaking. From the captivating artwork on the dial to the intricate mechanisms hidden beneath, it is a testament to the imagination and unwavering dedication of its creator, Rémi Maillat.

For the lucky connoisseur who acquires this horological masterpiece, it will serve as a lifelong companion, marking the passage of time with a poetic touch, no matter where their travels may take them. The Anywhere Only Watch 2023 is a reminder that true luxury lies in the ability to marvel at the intricate beauty of the world around us, both natural and man-made.