The Real Time Show: Episode Summary

Title: Christiaan Van Der Klaauw CEO Pim Koeslag Invites Us Into The Brand's Universe
Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
Release Date: October 10, 2024

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Real Time Show, hosts Alon Ben Joseph and Rob Nudds sit down with Pim Koeslach, the CEO and Managing Director of the esteemed horological brand Christian van der Klaauw (CVDK). The conversation delves deep into Pim's illustrious career, the rich history of CVDK, recent groundbreaking innovations, and the brand's future aspirations in the watchmaking industry.

Pim Koeslach’s Journey in Watchmaking (00:05 - 10:13)

Alon Ben Joseph kicks off the discussion by welcoming Pim, highlighting his impressive background as a master watchmaker and his invaluable contributions to the industry.

Pim Koeslach shares his origins in Holland and his extensive training at the watchmaking school in Amsterdam, detailing his early internships with renowned entities like Grunefeld and Patek Philippe in Geneva. He reflects on his pivotal decision in 2002 to join Frederic Constant, driven by the vision of in-house movement manufacturing—a move that he describes as "probably the best decision of my life" (04:45). Pim emphasizes his desire to be part of innovative research and development rather than remaining a small cog in a large organization like Patek Philippe.

After over two decades with Frederic Constant and subsequent entrepreneurial ventures, Pim explains his transition back to Holland to reunite with his family. This move eventually led him to acquire a majority stake in Christian van der Klaauw, further shaping his career and the brand.

Founding and Evolution of Christian van der Klaauw (10:13 - 21:02)

Alon expresses admiration for Pim’s extensive experience and inquires about his driving force. Pim attributes his relentless energy to "making beautiful products," emphasizing the balance between aesthetic appeal and technical innovation (11:27).

Pim recounts his initial inspiration from Christian van der Klaauw, the brand's founder, whose passion for astronomy and craftsmanship left a lasting impression. As a student, Pim was so captivated by Christian’s work that he personally visited Christian’s garage workshop, observing the "huge planetarium" and old Swiss machines still in use today (15:13). This serendipitous meeting laid the foundation for a long-term collaboration and mutual respect.

When asked about pronouncing the brand name, Pim clarifies the Dutch pronunciation of Christian van der Klau as “claw” and the English adaptation “Christian van der Klaar” (19:10). He introduces the Real Time Show community to the brand’s nickname “CVDK”, suggesting that listeners refer to it as “the Claw”.

Christian van der Klaauw’s Legacy and Innovations (21:02 - 35:26)

Alon invites Pim to elaborate on Christian van der Klaauw’s legacy. Pim highlights Christian’s deep-rooted passion for astronomy and intricate clockmaking. He recounts the brand’s inception in 1974 and its focus on creating clocks with astronomical complications, such as planetariums and 3D moon phases, which were revolutionary at the time (21:07).

One of the brand’s standout creations is the Eisenhower Planetarium watch, a tribute to Eise Eisenhower, a 13-year-old prodigy who built the oldest still-running planetarium in the world. This watch not only won the prestigious Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2021 but also features a hand-painted dial inspired by Eisenhower’s original planetarium (24:23).

Pim shares exciting news about CVDK being selected again for the GPHG in 2024, with their new watch Ariadne among the finalists. This achievement underscores the brand’s consistent excellence and innovation (25:09).

Collaborations and Achievements (35:26 - 41:08)

Pim discusses CVDK’s collaboration with Frederic Constant for the Only Watch charity auction. Together, they created the Tourbillon Planetarium, a unique piece that combines a tourbillon mechanism with a planetarium function. This watch not only embodies technical mastery but also serves a philanthropic purpose, with limited pieces auctioned for good causes (32:09).

Additionally, Pim highlights the brand’s successful partnership with Van Cleef & Arpels, where CVDK designed movements for their Midnight Planetarium and Lady Arpels watches. These collaborations have garnered critical acclaim, including a GPHG award in 2018, further cementing CVDK’s reputation in the high-end watchmaking sphere (29:58).

Groundbreaking Launch: Grand Planetarium Eccentric (35:26 - 47:39)

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Christian van der Klaauw introduced the Grand Planetarium Eccentric—a monumental achievement in watchmaking. This watch features a full-dial planetarium that accurately reflects the solar system’s eight planets with eccentric orbits.

Pim explains the complexity involved in its creation, noting that the movement for the Grand Planetarium Eccentric requires 3,338 gear teeth compared to the previous 700 teeth in smaller models (35:26). This innovation allows for realistic planetary orbits, enhancing both the aesthetic and technical prowess of the timepiece.

Notable Quote:
"The closest planet to the sun, Mercury, completes an orbit in 88 days, while Neptune, the furthest, takes 164 years. Integrating these varying orbital periods into a single movement was a monumental challenge." (38:21)

The Grand Planetarium Eccentric is available in limited quantities, with plans to release 10 to 20 pieces annually. Initial models include stunning rose gold and platinum versions, both featuring intricate aventurine dials (47:12).

In-House Manufacturing and Future Vision (48:39 - 58:40)

Pim emphasizes the brand’s commitment to in-house manufacturing, detailing the introduction of their own manufactured caliber. This movement boasts a 60-hour power reserve and exquisite decorations, both hand and laser-etched, reflecting the brand’s astronomical theme (48:55).

He proudly mentions that even today, many components, like gear wheels, are cut by hand in their ateliers, preserving traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern technology (50:34). Pim acknowledges the talented team of watchmakers, many hailing from top-tier Swiss luxury watchmakers, contributing to the brand's meticulous craftsmanship.

Looking ahead, Pim outlines his vision for the next 50 years:
"Christian van der Klau is like a raw diamond. We are polishing every facet—commercial, technical, and innovative—without rushing. Our goal is to continue making beautiful watches with profound wow-factor innovations, ensuring sustained growth and establishing a strong global presence." (53:32)

Pim notes significant expansion in their retail network, growing from 10 to nearly 40 esteemed retailers worldwide, including key markets in Asia and the Middle East. The brand aims to maintain its focus on excellence in both design and technical innovation, ensuring that each timepiece remains a testament to their passion and dedication.

Conclusion and Future Prospects (58:05 - End)

As the episode wraps up, Alon and Rob commend Pim for his visionary leadership and the exceptional progress of CVDK. They express excitement about the brand’s future endeavors and the upcoming GPHG awards. Pim shares a personal note about his son’s potential involvement in the family business, hinting at a promising succession plan (58:05).

Notable Quote:
"Our main goal is to make beautiful watches without rushing, ensuring each piece shines in its unique facet." (53:32)

Alon encourages listeners to explore CVDK’s offerings and stay connected through their website and social media channels, fostering a community of watch enthusiasts eager to witness the brand’s continued evolution.

Key Takeaways

• Pim Koeslach’s Expertise: Over two decades of experience with Frederic Constant and strategic leadership at CVDK.
• Christian van der Klaauw’s Heritage: A 50-year legacy of astronomical complications and innovative clockmaking.
• Grand Planetarium Eccentric: A landmark watch featuring an intricate, eccentrically orbiting planetary system.
• In-House Manufacturing: Commitment to traditional craftsmanship and modern innovations with their own caliber.
• Future Vision: Steady growth, maintaining excellence, and expanding the global retail network.

Notable Quotes

• "That's probably why guys like also like watches, like cars. It should look beautiful and that could be a reason to buy it. But the technique or the technical Innovations inside the car could also be a reason to buy it. But at the end, you want a beautiful product and it's pure passion." (11:27)

• "Christian van der Klaau is like a raw diamond. We are polishing every facet of it." (53:32)

• "That's how it's done. That's a new chapter in watchmaking." (46:52)

For watch enthusiasts eager to delve deeper into CVDK's universe, visit their website at clauw.com and follow them on social media. Stay tuned to The Real Time Show for more insightful conversations with leaders in the watchmaking industry.