I first noticed Stefan Kudoke when I saw some posts on Instagram with his very elaborate skeletonized watches. Beautiful and very skillfully done, but not really for me. Then one day I saw a post of a different watch, which also turned out to be from his hands: The Kudoke 2 with his own, very characteristic movement, inspired by an old English pocket watch movement. It had a day/night indicator in the form of an engraved disk at twelve o’clock and all in all the appearance was very appealing.

I headed over to his website to have a closer look at both the Kudoke 2 and the Kudoke 1, which is a time-only 3 hand watch that was also really beautiful. A closer look at the pictures of the movement suggested that the finish was really good. Not only beveled edges, but on the engraved balance cock the edges had a profile that was polished. Definitely not something I’d seen before.

From what I could see the watch was affordable, but there was a big hurdle, for me at least: the nearest dealer was in Hamburg in Germany – I’m in Denmark – and traveling was out of the question in any foreseeable future, so if I wanted the watch I would have to buy it without actually seeing one. I wrote to Stefan and Ev (His wife) about my considerations and problems and fortunately, they came up with a solution. They had a client in Denmark living close to me, and he was willing to meet with me and show me his watches.

We did and the same night I ordered a Kudoke 2. We agreed on the configuration and then the waiting started. As this is a small operation, watches are produced as ordered and it takes a while. But the reward came an approx.. 4 months later when the watch was delivered. Every bit as fantastic as it should be and now, when I had time to study the details closely, I could really enjoy the finish of the movement. He knows what he is doing and is bloody good at it. I’ve heard more than one say that his finish is inspired by and resembling that of Philippe Dufour. I’ve never seen a Dufour, but some of the people saying that know what they are talking about, and in my eyes, it certainly looks good.

I enjoy the small details such as the engraved Kudoke nameplate on the movement. Everything is finished by hand. The movement is his own design but he works with Habring to get parts for the watch. This means that it probably will not be an issue to get parts for the watch at a later stage, should it be needed. It is a watch that stands out with a recognizable movement and a distinguished dial.

I love it very much, even though it is not going to be an everyday watch for one simple reason: there is no seconds hand. This is the first wristwatch I have owned without a seconds hand and I knew when I bought it that I was going to miss it. I will easily find times to wear the watch on a regular basis even without the seconds hand.

The Kudoke 2 is pretty thick. I don’t mind, but if you want something slimmer you should go for the Kudoke 1. His skills have so far earned him a GPHG “Petit Aiguille” prize, the first awarded to a German watchmaker. He is also a candidate to AHCI. If you want to get into the independent watch scene, this is a good place to start. The Kudoke 2 represents a lot of value for money.