The original Crazy Balls developed a strong following because it captured something rarely found in mechanical watches: genuine fun. Not novelty for the sake of novelty, but fun supported by craftsmanship, mechanical credibility, and a highly recognisable design language. The Crazy Balls 2 White continues that idea, yet it does not simply repeat what came before. It reworks the concept with a fresh arrangement, a brighter visual base, and a dial that feels energetic without becoming chaotic.
Alexander Shorokhoff has long occupied a distinctive place in independent watchmaking. The brand’s work often sits at the point where horology meets visual art, drawing from avant-garde themes, bold numerals, hand finishing, and unexpected colour combinations. The Crazy Balls 2 White fits naturally within that world. It is expressive, yes, but also carefully considered. Behind the apparent spontaneity is a structured composition, a reliable Swiss movement, and a level of finishing that speaks to the manufacture’s ongoing commitment to individuality.
Limited to only 50 pieces, this new release has the feel of a collector’s object, but not in a cold or overly formal way. Its charm lies in the fact that it is approachable, wearable, and full of personality. It does not require the wearer to be serious about being serious. Instead, it invites a different kind of appreciation, one based on creative freedom, joyful design, and the pleasure of wearing something that refuses to be ordinary.
The larger round elements are finished in striped, iridescent mother-of-pearl, adding a natural shimmer that shifts with the light. Mother-of-pearl can sometimes feel delicate or traditional, but here it is used in a far more contemporary way. Rather than serving as the entire dial base, it appears as a series of decorative accents, each one contributing its own tonal variation. The striped treatment adds further depth, giving the circular forms a lively, almost kinetic quality.
The smaller elements bring flashes of bright colour, coordinated across the dial to create contrast without overwhelming the white foundation beneath. This balance matters. A watch like this could easily become visually loud for the sake of it, but the Crazy Balls 2 White avoids that trap by using the white guilloché surface as a stabilising backdrop. The dial is colourful, but it is not careless. It has energy, but it is not random.
The guilloché pattern itself deserves attention. The gently undulating surface gives the dial a sense of texture and refinement, reminding the viewer that even the most playful Alexander Shorokhoff designs are still rooted in traditional watchmaking crafts. The white finish allows light to move across the dial in subtle ways, softening the composition and giving the colourful elements room to breathe.
The numeral is bold, unconventional, and slightly mischievous, which makes it feel entirely at home here. It does not merely mark the top of the minute track. It becomes part of the artwork. In a more traditional design, such a large numeral might feel disruptive. In the Crazy Balls 2 White, it feels essential. It carries the brand’s personality and connects the watch to the broader Alexander Shorokhoff design universe.
The green lacquered hour and minute hands are another clever touch. Green might not be the obvious choice against a white dial filled with multicoloured accents, yet it works beautifully. The hands are cheeky, fresh, and legible, adding an additional layer of colour without fighting the rest of the design. The silver-coloured central seconds hand is more restrained, allowing the main hands and decorative dial elements to remain the focus.
The stainless steel housing is both brushed and polished, giving the watch enough refinement to feel well finished while keeping attention on the dial. The 20 mm lug width allows the white calfskin strap to sit proportionally with the case, supporting the clean, bright character of the overall design. The engraved solid stainless steel buckle adds a final touch of detail and reinforces the sense that this is a complete design rather than just a striking dial fitted into a generic case.
Sapphire crystal is fitted to both sides of the watch, with anti-reflective coating on the front. This is especially useful on a dial such as this, where texture, colour, and light play such an important role. The clearer the view, the more the dial can be appreciated. On the reverse side, the sapphire case back offers a view of the decorated automatic movement, bringing the mechanical side of the watch into the conversation.
Alexander Shorokhoff does not leave the movement untouched. The calibre is engraved and finished by hand in the manufacture, with blued screws and a hand-engraved and refined oscillating weight. This is an important detail, because it connects the watch’s external creativity with traditional finishing work. The artistic approach is not limited to the dial. It continues through to the movement, where hand-applied details give the mechanism a more personal and crafted character.
The use of blued screws adds a traditional horological note, while the engraved rotor gives the watch a stronger connection to the hand-finishing culture that surrounds independent watchmaking. For many collectors, this kind of detail matters. It gives the watch depth beyond its immediate visual impact. The Crazy Balls 2 White may be fun at first glance, but it also rewards a closer look.
That personality is important. Collectors often speak about specifications, movements, case dimensions, and finishing, and all of those things matter. Yet the emotional side of collecting is just as significant. Some watches are valued because they are technically impressive. Some because they are historically important. Others because they make the wearer feel something every time they look at the dial. The Crazy Balls 2 White belongs strongly to that last category, while still offering enough mechanical substance to be taken seriously.
It is also a reminder that independent watchmaking does not need to fit into one narrow definition. It can be classical, experimental, minimal, extravagant, technical, poetic, or playful. In this case, Alexander Shorokhoff has created a watch that celebrates colour and imagination without ignoring craftsmanship. That combination gives the Crazy Balls 2 White its particular charm.
Final Thoughts
The Alexander Shorokhoff Crazy Balls 2 White is a watch that understands its own character. It is not trying to be a conventional sports watch, a restrained dress watch, or a heritage-inspired daily wearer. It is something far more specific: an artistic limited edition that brings joy, colour, and independent spirit into mechanical watchmaking.
The white guilloché dial gives it refinement, the mother-of-pearl spheres give it light and movement, the bright circular accents give it energy, and the green lacquered hands add a final touch of playfulness. Beneath that expressive exterior, the refined SW200 automatic movement provides a reliable mechanical base, enhanced by hand engraving, blued screws, and traditional finishing details.
For collectors who favour strict symmetry and conservative design, this may not be the watch. But for those who enjoy independent watchmaking because it can still surprise, provoke, and delight, the Crazy Balls 2 White has a great deal to offer. It is limited, unusual, skilfully made, and full of life. Most importantly, it feels honest in its intention. It exists to bring colour to the wrist, and it does so with confidence.
In a watch world that can sometimes take itself very seriously, the Alexander Shorokhoff Crazy Balls 2 White is a welcome reminder that mechanical watchmaking can still be playful, expressive, and deeply personal.
