A special edition (sonderedition) of the Kudoke 2 is revealed – the new GrünerWald (Green Forest) is a limited edition of 10 pieces, numbered as 1 of 10.

The edition is done in collaboration with Esperluxe, a boutique house offering special editions. This was an 18 month effort, resulting from a 2019 meeting between Stefan Kudoke and Esperluxe’s Christopher Daaboulo.

Press Release information with commentary in italics

Commentary

This special edition is based on the Kudoke 2 which we reviewed in detail here. The main difference is the dial, which is presented here in a frosted green which is textured and a magnificent deep teal hue. The movement is also hand engraved, with relief elements.

The watch looks entirely unlike the regular edition, as the dial gives it a new personality totally different from the standard watch. Also the hand engraved movement is a special handwerskundst which lifts it a couple of notches above the frosted finish in the regular issue. The watch is available exclusively at Esperluxe at US$12,000, a rather significant premium over the asking price of €8,665 (about US$ 10,300). However, we think this premium is perhaps reasonable, considering the added value of the additional works required, and the limitation of only 10 pieces.

Kudoke 2 GrünerWald Sonderedition

The name for this Esperluxe exclusive relates to the dial’s color, a deep textured green inspired by Stefan’s forest surroundings in the German watchmaking haven of Saxony. But more than dial color variation, this special edition is really about the watchmaker’s specialty: hand-engraving.

While understated, the dial features a frosted green that can be described as a deep teal color. It is grained to achieve a coarser texture that reflects beautifully in various lighting.

The Grüner Wald also features the unusual and quite creative, mirror polished, infinity-symbol hour hand accompanying a raised chapter ring for the minutes.

The timepiece retains the eye-catching design emblem of the Kudoke 2: its day-night indicator at 12 o’clock. It’s a
stunning visual highlighted by the domed disk with hand-engraved gold plating to represent the day, and white and black rhodium for night.

If the dial side of KUDOKE 2 represents more subtlety and elegance, the caseback displays the overt look of artisanal craftsmanship.

Movement: Kudoke Kaliber 1

Stefan’s first in-house caliber, KALIBER 1, is used in the KUDOKE 2, and makes its link to 19th century, English pocket watches with gilded bridges and a large, hand-engraved balance cock across the center of the movement.
Accompanying the floral engraving work is the “Sonderedition” designation as special edition in German, along with the plaque indicating the limited “one of ten” description. Lastly, a subtle EL is hand-engraved representing
EsperLuxe branding.