The Kudoke 2 SHH Edition celebrates 20 years of the independent brand founded by husband-and-wife Stefan and Ev Kudoke. A run of 20 pieces exclusive to Singapore retailer Sincere Fine Watches, the edition sports the “flakes” dial finish in a first for the Kudoke 2, which features a distinctive day-night indicator at 12 o’clock.

Initial Thoughts

Stefan Kudoke was only in his mid-twenties when he founded his eponymous brand. Kudoke’s focus on detailed, graphic hand engraving has helped the brand differentiate itself as more independents, often focusing on movement finishing and guilloche, have sprung up over the years.

While the SHH Edition comes at a considerable premium to the regular production Kudoke 2, it’s easily justified by the champagne rosé dial hand engraved with a “flakes” finish. When considering both the quality and quantity of engraving, the SHH Edition maintains the competitive pricing Kudoke is known for.

Dial

The SHH Edition brings the “flakes” pattern dial, first launched on the Kudoke 3, to the Kudoke 2 for the first time. The dial surface is covered with hundreds of tiny divots resembling flakes, which give the dial a sparkly finish. Each “flake” is painstakingly free-hand engraved, leaving no two dials exactly alike.

Similar care is given to the rotating 24-hour disk at 12 o’clock, which has a deeply engraved, rose-gold plated sun on one half, and on the other half,  a moon and stars motif that’s engraved and lumed in blue. The infinity hands are also lumed to match, but in green Super-Luminova for legibility.

Case and Kaliber

Despite being a German watchmaker, Kudoke’s Kaliber 1-24H is based on the architecture of the venerable Swiss Valjoux 7750, but heavily upgraded and refined thanks to Habring², which supplies the movement blank to Kudoke.

The Kaliber 1-24H is styled after English and German full-plate pocket watch movements, with a distinctive balance cock that preserves the look of a full-plate construction in a three-quarter plate movement.

The free-hand engraved scrollwork, blued screws, and frosted gilt finish all reference traditional English pocket watches, though the movement is also dressed up with Swiss flourishes such as polished bevels. Since the German watch industry adopted much of the same style, which is today synonymous with German rather than English watchmaking, the Kaliber 1-24H still delivers what collectors expect of a “German” watch.

All of this is packaged in a comparatively plain 39 mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystals on both sides. The onion-style crown is another pocket watch tribute, though for the most part, the case fades into the background, putting the focus on what matters.

Key facts and price

Kudoke Kudoke 2 SHH Edition
Ref. K2DSSHHCSS1S01

Diameter: 39 mm
Height: 10.7 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Kaliber 1-24H
Functions: Hours, minutes, and 24-hour indicator
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 46 hours

Strap: Blue calfskin with alligator print

Limited edition: 20 pieces
Availability: Now at Sincere Fine Watches 
Price: S$22,000 including GST, equivalent to US$17,200

For more, visit Sincere Fine Watches.