The Krayon Anywhere Parhelion is a stunning new addition to the brand's astronomical watch collection, blending technical prowess with artistic flair. This timepiece is a celebration of light and color, inspired by the rare atmospheric phenomenon known as the parhelion effect, which occurs when sunlight interacts with hexagonal ice crystals in high-altitude clouds. The result is a mesmerizing display of luminous reflections alongside the sun, mirroring the watch's own gem-set brilliance.
Personally, I find the Parhelion's design particularly captivating. The extensive gem-setting, featuring 171 gemstones, including 124 baguette-cut sapphires and 35 matching sapphires on the pin buckle, creates a seamless gradient that progresses from white through multiple shades of pale blue to deep midnight blue. This gradient is a testament to the brand's meticulous attention to detail and their ability to source stones capable of producing such a seamless transition, a process that took almost a full year. The new Krayon Cut, a Y-shaped gemstone shape echoing the brand's logo, adds a distinctive touch to the design, symbolizing the brightest point of the parhelion.
What makes this watch truly fascinating is the dial's center, crafted from mother-of-pearl, which evokes Greenland's icy waters with its constantly changing reflections. The eleven white diamond hour markers, employing the new Krayon Cut and mounted using an invisible setting, create the illusion that they are floating above the dial. The sunrise and sunset displays, along with the rotating 24-hour scale and date indication, add to the watch's astronomical functionality. The inscriptions 'MIDDAY', 'MIDNIGHT', 'SIX AM', and 'SIX PM' retain Krayon's distinctive typography, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
The Krayon Anywhere Parhelion is powered by the hand-wound manufacture calibre C030, unchanged mechanically from previous Anywhere editions. This movement, comprising 432 components and 55 jewels, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and delivers a 72-hour power reserve. The watch is worn on a dark blue alligator leather strap secured by a white gold pin buckle adorned with the same graduating sapphire setting as the case, and it is priced at CHF 430,000.
In my opinion, the Krayon Anywhere Parhelion is a masterpiece of independent watchmaking. It seamlessly blends technical prowess with artistic flair, creating a timepiece that is both functional and aesthetically stunning. The extensive gem-setting and the new Krayon Cut add a layer of sophistication and uniqueness to the design, making it a standout piece in the brand's collection. The watch's inspiration from the parhelion effect and Greenland's shifting landscape of snow, ice, and deep blue water further enhances its allure, offering a glimpse into the wonders of nature through the lens of horology.
