Phillips is delighted to offer this wonderful Kudoke “Real Skeleton”, which was featured prominently in the 2022 mystery film, “Last Looks”, directed by Tim Kirkby. Adapted from the screenplay by Howard Michael Gould based on his 2018 novel of the same name, the movie stared Charlie Hunnam as Charlie Waldo and Mel Gibson as Alastair Pinch.
During one scene, Gibson’s character mentions “Have you seen what this man wears? It costs more than the house I grew up in.” The answer is, “It’s a Kudoke Skeleton; they only make 35 a year”. Throughout the film, it is shown and explicitly mentioned three separate times.
The Real Skeleton was described in Gould’s “Last Looks” novel, where on page 50 it states, “…his steampunkish Kudoke Skeleton”. When Gould was asked by Kudoke how he discovered the brand, Gould answered, “When I was researching the story, I knew that I wanted a unique and specific watch to use as an important clue. I searched on the internet, and was struck by the incredible beauty of your watches.”
The German brand, Kudoke, is a relatively young independent brand known for their classic, minimalist wristwatches with an elegant aesthetic. Unlike other brands, Stefan Kudoke did not come from a watchmaking family. On his own volition, he went to watchmaking school and then worked for brands such as Glasshütte Original, Breguet, Blancpain and Breguet, however his desire was to create his own watches. Offering watches across three product lines, Kudoke’s KUNSTwerk collection focuses on creativity, mechanics and craftsmanship, including the “Real Skeleton”. The skeletonized wristwatch is highlighted by hand carved skull and bones with diamond encrusted eyes. With a nod to the concept of memento mori, the timepiece is both a mechanical watch, but a work of art, or “art clock”.
Following the filming, the watch was returned to Kudoke, and it was decided to auction the watch through Phillips, with proceeds benefitting reforestation projects. Offered in excellent overall condition, and accompanied by its warranty presentation box, and a copy of the “Last Looks” script signed by both Hunnam and Gould, as well as a signed copy from Howard Michael Gould of the novel “Last Looks”.
Wristwatches have often been worn in movies influencing their overall appeal and place in history. The present lot is one of very few watches worn and featured prominently in a movie to come to market, making it an exciting opportunity for the connoisseur.
Please note that Kudoke will offer a one-year warranty on this watch.