Born and raised in Berlin in 1994, the capital city of Germany, Felipe Pikullik began his watchmaking journey at a very young age. As an aspiring watchmaker at the time, he faced many setbacks, including being denied entry into the prestigious watchmaking school in Glashütte multiple times. Despite these challenges, his passion and persistence never once wavered, and he eventually earned an opportunity as he was invited for a practical test, which he seized—and the rest is history. Fast forward to 2017, and Felipe established his eponymous brand at just 23 years old—a remarkable achievement, especially considering the competitive landscape of independent watchmaking at the time.
Having followed the independent watchmaking space for some time now, I find Felipe’s approach quite intriguing; while he greatly emphasises the use of traditional watchmaking techniques, he simultaneously challenges conventional norms, adding his own unique and creative twist to his creations. In 2020, he released the Sternenhimmel (Starry Sky) and the ZBM1 (Zifferblatt Modell 1, or ‘Dial Model Number 1’), both of which were significant milestones for the brand and helped solidify his place in the German independent watchmaking scene. Today, we’re delighted to offer a watch that represents the next chapter following his first two aforementioned breakout releases—the Mondphase 1.
The first time I held the Mondphase 1, I was immediately struck by how stunning and captivating the watch looked in person. At first glance, it may appear simple from a distance, but a closer look reveals a masterful blend of technical sophistication, design restraint, and artistic expression. The dial, crafted from a rhodium-plated brass base and delicately frosted, has a subtle, shifting quality that plays beautifully with the light. The craftsmanship on display here is nothing short of exceptional—indeed, calling it merely "exceptional" doesn’t quite do it justice.
Interestingly, as I examined the watch, I noticed a certain quality—something I couldn’t quite pinpoint—that reminded me of the Kudoke pieces we’ve listed on the site before. After some more research, I learned that Felipe had once apprenticed under Stephan Kudoke, which likely explains the subtle visual similarities, particularly in his approach to skeletonization.
That said, aside from the frosted finish, I believe the focal point of the dial is the 3D spherical moon phase indication at 10:30, paired with the partially skeletonized section that reveals part of the movement. According to Felipe, it took approximately two years to develop and produce this feature due to his meticulous experimentation with various crafting techniques and the use of manually operated tools. If you look closer, you’ll notice that the spherical moon phase is depicted from the perspective of the Southern Hemisphere, a thoughtful nod to Felipe’s Brazilian roots. It showcases both a light and dark side, which poetically symbolizes the passage of time throughout the day. Like the frosted brass base of the dial, the moon phase also has a delicately textured surface, with tiny craters that closely resemble its real-life counterpart. The dial is further enhanced by hand-engraved inscriptions: "Felipe Pikulik" at the top right and "Gefertigt in Berlin" (translated as "Crafted in Berlin") at the bottom right. Completing the ensemble is a sleek, black-polished chapter ring with Chinese numerals that encircle the dial’s periphery, along with a set of beautifully half-frosted, half-polished hands that add a dynamic touch to the otherwise understated design. Felipe offered clients who ordered this watch the opportunity to choose what language the numerals to be in, so while it is limited to 20 pieces, there are even less in Chinese.
As far as case size is concerned, the Mondphase 1 measures a contemporary 41mm x 10.5mm in dimensions, a size that feels well-suited to modern wrist sizes. The lugs are visually ornate, soldered on, and feature a gentle downward curve, ensuring the watch sits comfortably on the wrist. Overall, the case is impeccably finished, with a beautifully brushed midsection and a fluted crown that provides a fitting contrast to the mirror-polished bezel.
Turn the watch over, and you’ll discover the magnificently finished manual-winding base movement, the Unitas Cal. 6497, which has been extensively reworked and modified by Felipe himself. It now boasts the intricately detailed spherical moon phase display, which, as you may have noticed, is visible both on the front and back of the case. As the photos clearly illustrate, the craftsmanship is unparalleled, showcasing a variety of traditional hand-finishing techniques. These include a rhodium-plated mainplate supporting the hand-skeletonized bridges, gold-plated gears, and a gold-plated, hand-engraved balance cock. Additionally, the screw heads are black-polished, while the crown and barrel wheels feature a striking sunburst-brushed finish. Every edge has been meticulously bevelled and polished by hand, making it an absolute visual delight to behold. As for power reserve, the movement can hold a charge up to 46 hours on a full wind.
Produced in 2023 as a limited edition of just 20 pieces, the Mondphase 1 was recently nominated for one of the watch industry’s most prestigious honours—the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), in the ‘Calendar and Astronomy’ category. Although it didn’t take home the prize (that distinction went to the Bovet 1822 Récital 20 Astérium), the nomination alone is a remarkable achievement. For such a young brand, reaching this level of recognition so early on speaks volumes about Felipe Pikulik’s vision and the potential of what’s to come.
All things considered, I believe the Mondphase 1 is the type of watch that requires you to, in the words of John Mayer, "look closer, look closer still." Only by doing so will this understated work of art reveal its true beauty. To me, this is what makes watches from independent watchmakers so special and exciting—the meticulous attention given to the tiniest details transforms the watch into a true pleasure to wear and experience.
