Macro Monday: Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Real Moon Joure Aventurine

Photo by Atom Moore

Christiaan Van Der Klaauw started making timepieces in 1974 and has since become known for both horological marvels and having created the smallest mechanical planetarium. Looking at the work, it isn’t hard to see the astronomical influences. But in the case of the Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Real Moon Joure Aventurine (featured in this stunning Atom Moore macro shot) there is one particular complication that stands well above and beyond others in the industry. The “real moon” complication, featuring “true” phases on a rolling moon, is the most accurate moon phase complication created to date, boasting an accuracy level so high that there is only a one-day deviation every 11,000 years. Van Der Klaauw discovered his love of astronomy at the Leidse Sterrewacht, an observatory that has been in use since 1633, making it one of the oldest university-affiliated observatories in the world. Since then, by expressing his love of outer space through this masterpieces, he may be inspiring others to realize a similar love for astronomy.

What is your favorite timepiece featuring a moon phase? Tell us about it using #RedBarCrew on Instagram.