Pierre Kunz “Insanity” G019 Sport

Model: Pierre Kunz “Insanity” G019 Sport

Year: 2000s

Features:

The Maker. The aptly named Insanity is the brainchild of Pierre Kunz, a veteran of the Swiss watch industry. He completed his formal training at the Vallée de Joux watchmaking school, before constructing movements for Victorin Piguet. But he would spend his most important years working at Franck Muller’s Watchland studio - specialising in complication research and creation. 

The Brand. His work was so novel and impressive that Muller himself encouraged Kunz to create his own brand - and following in the naming structure of Franck Muller’s Franck Muller, Pierre Kunz birthed the Pierre Kunz brand. If he was saving his creative energy for the watches - it worked. 

The Fame. Launching in 2002, he quickly gained a reputation for his multi-retrograde complications. But Kunz never seemed satisfied - always looking to solve the next design puzzle. This approach eventually led him to his Spirit of Challenge philosophy.

The Spirit of Challenge. Kunz believed traditional watches were too static and predictable, and he aimed to challenge the wearer’s perception of time. He began with single retrogrades, then double and triple retrogrades, followed by tourbillons, before radically experimenting with hand movement - as demonstrated on the Insanity. 

The Result. Despite looking nonsensical at first glance, it’s not only mechanically simple but also easy to read once your brain adjusts. The singular red hand sits atop a small gear that rotates around the edge of the large inner gear track, creating a pattern you might recognise from spirographs. And as one final twist, the central Pierre Kunz cap is actually the seconds hand. 

The End. Fast forward six years and economic disaster struck. The 2008 global financial crash prematurely brought about the decline of many independent watchmakers, like Pierre Kunz. While not officially defunct, he hasn’t made a watch under his own brand since 2009 - but don’t worry, Franck Muller still services all of Kunz’ creations. His current whereabouts aren’t disclosed publicly, but I’ve heard he’s spending his twilight years working as a horological professor in Switzerland. A rather fitting full circle. 

Specifications:

Condition: In great condition overall. No marks of any significance, other than some scratches on the buckle and some very light marks on the bezel. 

Scope: Box and papers

Movement: In-house Pierre Kunz movement

Dimensions:

• Case Width: 43.0mm
  
• Lug to lug: 48.2mm
• Case Thickness: 10.8mm
  
• Lug Width: 24mm