Kudoke is an Indie watch brand that no longer flies under the radar. Since winning the Petite Aiguille category at the 2019 GPHG awards, the brand has been flying sky-high, with collectors and enthusiasts the world over showing appreciation for their brilliant creations.
Founded by Stefan Kudoke in 2005, the brand has in many ways been Germany’s best-kept watchmaking secret. The HANDwerk collection, Kudoke’s follow-up project to the KUNSTwerk collection, introduced the Kaliber 1, an in-house manual winding movement used in both the Kudoke 1 and 2 model ranges. Unlike the skeletonized pieces with extensive engraving work found in the KUNSTwerk collection, the HANDwerk collection presented as more simple and refined, without straying away from their distinct design language and stunning attention to detail.
The Kudoke 2 gives us the best of both worlds. It has “Indie” appeal but remains conservative and steady in design. It offers a great entry point into the world of independent watchmaking as Stefan Kudoke’s pieces are relatively affordable and perhaps more importantly, accessible.
This particular Kudoke 2 features a 39mm stainless steel case paired with a signed ‘onion’ crown and a sapphire crystal. Like all Kudokes from the HANDwerk collection, the dials are handcrafted, with this particular ‘frosted’ dark gray dial featuring an outer rhodium-plated chapter ring and 24-hour ring surrounding a charming 3D day/night indicator, as well as a matching ‘spade’ handset.
The sapphire exhibition caseback puts the Kaliber 1-24H manual winding movement on full display. What makes this exact Kudoke 2 particularly special is that the balance cock and brand plate are fashioned out of rose gold, a request made by the original owner and granted by Stefan Kudoke himself.
The watch comes fitted to a signed black ostrich strap with a signed stainless steel pin buckle that’s virtually untouched. This piece comes with all the original goodies including its box, papers and a certificate of authenticity.