Grand Planetarium Eccentric

The Grand Planetarium Eccentric is CVDK's most ambitious watch: a full solar system display on the dial combined with an offset tourbillon, all packed into 44mm of steel. The tourbillon cage sits deliberately off-center so the planetary module gets the real estate it needs. Nothing else from the brand comes close to this level of mechanical density.

What it is

Christiaan van der Klaauw has built astronomical watches in the Netherlands since 1974, specializing in the kind of deep-sky complications most houses won't attempt. The Grand Planetarium Eccentric arrived in 2024 as the culmination of that work, pairing CVDK's proprietary astronomical module with an Andreas Strehler base movement. Strehler is a Swiss independent known for exceptional finishing and engineering precision, making him a natural collaborator for a complication this demanding.

The movement architecture divides the labor cleanly: Strehler handles the mechanical foundation and tourbillon, CVDK contributes the astronomical calculation layer that tracks all eight planets plus the sun and moon. The result is a watch that required two specialist firms working across two countries to get right.

Buying notes

The planetary display requires periodic manual correction as the watch accumulates small astronomical drift over years; this is normal for mechanical planetariums but owners need to understand it going in. The CVDK astronomical module has its own service requirements separate from the base movement, which means a full overhaul involves coordinating between two specialist competencies. Steel pricing can be misleading here: secondary market values on complex CVDK references are thin and illiquid, so don't expect easy resale if your circumstances change.

The 44mm case is large but not unusually thick for what's inside; wrist fit should be confirmed in person before purchase. Finding a watchmaker qualified to work on the combined Strehler-CVDK movement outside of the authorized network is genuinely difficult.

Market read

CVDK produces in very small quantities and the Grand Planetarium Eccentric is their flagship, which keeps supply extremely limited. Primary market pricing reflects the dual-firm collaboration and the complexity of the astronomical module. Secondary market data is sparse given how few examples exist in circulation, so any valuation requires contacting specialist dealers rather than reading auction aggregates.

Buyers at this level should treat it as a collector's acquisition rather than a liquid asset.

Service expectations

The movement is a CVDK astronomical module built on an Andreas Strehler base caliber with a 60-hour power reserve. Service should be routed through CVDK directly, as the astronomical complication requires their specific expertise in addition to standard tourbillon servicing. Expect extended turnaround times given the complexity and the cross-border nature of the original manufacturing partnership.