As a fake watch inspiration exists in the infinite expanse outside the earth’s atmosphere.
The vastness of space is an incredible and fascinating thing. Come to think of it, in the seemingly infinite nothingness of outer space, we are but a speck of dust. A small blue pumice stone, perfectly aligned to create life, revolves around our sun until the end of time. The concept can be daunting, but it’s also an incredible source of inspiration. We keep looking up to our sun, moon and stars for countless reasons. Perhaps the most important thing that originated in our interstellar gaze is the concept and determination of time. This brings us to today’s selection of watches, all of which share the theme of “space” in one way or another. Let’s take a closer look at these otherworldly watches.
JACOB & CO Astronomy
The Jacob & Co Astronomia Tourbillon is almost a given, one of the most extravagant watch collections ever made. Large, expressive, complex and always in motion, any planetarium makes a huge visual impact. Certainly not for everyone, but it involves truly hypercomplex watchmaking. With a name like Astronomia, it’s no surprise that many of the models have space-related themes or elements. But recently, Jacob & Co went the extra mile and actually sent an Astronomia Tourbillon Bucherer Blue to outer space on the wrist of commercial astronaut Eytan Stibbe. What an unexpected adventure for such a delicate and intricate piece! This unique timepiece will be auctioned by Sotheby’s later this year for charity.
50mm x 25mm – 18k White Gold Case – Superdome Sapphire Crystal – Strap Sapphire Crystal Opening – Aventurine Base Dial, White Gold “Spokes” as Hour Markers – JCAM10, Manual Winding – Tri-Axis Tourbillon Escapement – Rotating Skeleton Hours and Minutes Subdial – Rotating Globe and Ball Diamonds – Case Back with Flip Winder and Unique Design – A Unique Piece of Charity Auction.
MONTRES KF EI8HT Evolution
The problem with any Montres KF Ei8ht is that the tourbillon dominates the dial so much that it is difficult to give the rest of the watch the same influence. However, Karsten Fraessdorf and his team have managed to put the large tourbillon escapement on the back burner. The dial of the new Montres KF Ei8ht Evolution is made of meteorite and is available in a variety of colors including silver, blue and brown. The surface pattern of the meteorite dial is then carried over to the 44.5 mm wide stainless steel or rose gold case with special engraving. Flip the watch over to reveal the Novamag 01’s honeycomb main plate. This alien watch is made to order and offers plenty of customization options.
44,5mm x 12.2mm – Engraved stainless steel or rose gold case – Sapphire crystal on both sides – 50M water resistance – Meteorite dial in different colours – Applied hour markers and hands with luminous material – Caliber Novamag 01, manufacture-house – Manual Winding – 42 jewels – 18,000vph – 66 hours power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds on one-minute tourbillon – leather strap with tri-fold clasp.
Luis Moiné Mars Mission
Atelier Louis Moinet is another manufacturer that often uses cosmic inspiration for its watches. The independent watchmaker has repeatedly embraced space themes, such as the Space Revolution or the Hope Probe Tourbillon unique watch. The latest, however, incorporates a true Martian element that is rare in life, let alone in watchmaking. The Louis Moinet Mars Mission is equipped with a dial that simulates the surface of Mars in blue or golden brown (as described here). What makes this watch special is the aluminium capsule at 3 o’clock, which contains an actual fragment of a Martian meteorite. This material is so rare that only 0.5 percent of the roughly 72,000 meteorites found on Earth are classified as coming from the Red Planet.
45,5 mm diameter – multi-part stainless steel case – sapphire crystal and case back – 50m water resistance – hammered blue or golden brown dial to reproduce the surface of Mars – genuine Martian meteorite fragments in anodized aluminium container – PVD treated Hour-markers – Partially skeletonized hands – Calibre LM45 developed and manufactured by Concepto – Automatic winding – 22 jewels – 28,800vph – 48 hours power reserve – Hours, minutes, small seconds – Blue or black alligator leather strap with folding clasp .
Fortis STRATOLINER
Another way to incorporate space into watchmaking is to use the intimidating and hostile environment as an engineering proving ground. Everyone involved in space work can attest to the hostility and difficulty involved in working in outer space. Fortis can vouch for that too, as they’ve tested the recently launched (pun intended) Stratoliner’s Werk 17 movement in the outermost layers of the stratosphere. This real-life test produced an ultra-robust motion, as the motion mounted on a special cradle ascended into space while running, then fell and hit a tree (see the video here). These movements survived almost unscathed and are now available in the cool-looking Stratoliner chronograph.
Diameter 41mm – Recycled Stainless Steel Case – Steel and Rubber Flat Fixed Track Bezel – Sapphire Crystal and Back – 200M Water Resistance – White Dust, Cool Grey or Cosmic Grey Dial – Space Blue Marker Super-LumiNova – Luminous Hours and Minutes – Calibre Werk 17, Automatic Integrated Column Wheel Chronograph – Shock Resistant Construction – 28,800vph – 60 Hours Power Reserve – Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Chronograph, Day, Date.
DE BETHUNE DB25 STARRY VARIUS Meteorite Tourbillon
De Bethune is often referred to as the alchemist of clocks because it seems to possess the ability to transform one material into another. Highly polished steel or titanium, heat-treated to a distinctive blue or yellow hue is a common feature of the brand, but the latest creation goes even beyond that. De Bethune DB35 Starry Varius Aérolite Tourbillon combines the company’s metallurgical expertise with a thermally oxidized blue meteorite dial, decorated with gold pins to represent the Milky Way. The best part is that owners can customize this night sky to reflect specific dates, times and locations. It’s not just a showpiece either, as the incredible DB2109V4 Tourbillon movement without jumping seconds is the right kind of cutting-edge watchmaking that only De Bethune can do.
42mm x 10.3mm – Grade 5 Titanium, Polished – Skeleton Lugs – Sapphire Crystals on Both Sides – 30m Water Resistance – Blue and Polished Meteorite Dial – White Gold Stitching Stars – Silver Hour and Minute Rings – Breguet Steel Hands – Manufacture movement DB2109V4, hand-wound – 43 jewels – 260 components – 36,000vph – 96 hours power reserve – hours, minutes, central jumping seconds and tourbillon.
HYT MOON RUNNER White Neon
The last watch on the list doesn’t include any space material and doesn’t go into outer space itself. However, HYT Moon Runner White Neon has a very clear connection to our nearest celestial neighbor and certainly captures the spirit of sci-fi. Moon Runner is the second collection from the revived HYT, which kicked off with Hastroid at the beginning of the year. The Moon Runner uses the same sophisticated and unique mechanical fluid technology as all HYTs before it, and adds a giant spherical moon phase indicator. The combination of hydrocarbon and TecLight® cases, as well as white fluorescent markers inside the dial and lugs, further enhances the alien aura.
48mm x 52.30mm x 21.80mm – 64 Part Hydrocarbon and TecLight® Case, Black Coated Titanium Crown – Domed Sapphire Box Crystal and Sapphire Crystal Case Back – 50m Water Resistance – Fluid Hour Indicator – Lumicast Applied Hours numerals – White luminous background – Rotating Lumicast minute hand – Luminous month and date display – Sphere rotating luminous moon display – HYT 601-MO movement – Manual winding – 516 parts – 41 jewels – 28,800vph – 72 hours power reserve – Retrograde Fluid Hours, Minutes, Month, Date, Spherical Moon Phase – T-light White Rubber Strap with Black Coated Titanium Buckle.
