In the often tribal world of independent watchmaking, collaborations are usually born out of shared design languages or corporate synergy. At first glance, Baltic and SpaceOne have absolutely no business working together. Baltic is the reigning champion of accessible, vintage-inspired aesthetics, while SpaceOne produces hyper-futuristic, deconstructed spaceships for the wrist.
Yet, horology is ultimately a human endeavor, and brands don’t collaborate—people do. The foundation for this unlikely partnership was laid back in 2021 at Baltic’s headquarters, where founder Guillaume Laidet and independent watchmaker Théo Auffret crossed paths.
Five years later, that friendship has materialized into a spectacular reality. The Baltic x SPACEONE Seconde Majeure is a fascinating collision of heritage and sci-fi, offered at an incredibly competitive €2,500.
A Kinematic Display
Instead of relying on a traditional handset, the Seconde Majeure takes a deeply kinematic approach to telling time. The layout is entirely decentralized, replacing the usual hour and minute hands with rotating sapphire discs. Hours are read at the 12 o’clock position, while minutes are tracked at 6 o’clock, both guided by a sharp, arrow-ending crosshair.
A forward-looking, futuristic typography stamped on these discs adds a contemporary contrast to the otherwise classic assembly. Sweeping majestically above this deconstructed layout is a large, prominent central seconds hand. It brings a constant, sweeping motion to the seemingly still composition and is exactly the feature that gives the “Seconde Majeure” its name.
The Art of the Charbonné Dial
The dial face itself, cut from a single piece of maillechort (German silver), acts as both a decorative canvas and a vital structural foundation for the complication.
Collectors are given a choice between a sleek brushed finish or an exclusive “Charbonné” texture. The latter is a meticulous decorative technique rooted in 19th-century precision clocks.
Achieved by hand-rubbing the surface with a piece of raw charcoal, it creates an unpredictable, dynamic aspect that shifts between matte and glossy depending on the ambient light.
Now recognized as one of Théo Auffret’s signature techniques, completing a single Charbonné dial can take up to three hours of intensive, painstaking labor.
Exposed Jumping-Hour Mechanics
Flipping the typical script, the Seconde Majeure proudly displays its bespoke complication right on the dial side. Built atop a reliable Soprod P024 automatic base caliber (boasting a 42-hour power reserve), the jumping-hour module was developed entirely by Théo Auffret.
The ingenious architecture relies on three highly visible components. A Central Control Wheel beneath the minute disc completes a rotation every 60 minutes, eventually engaging the 12-tooth Star Wheel.
To the left, a Jumper Spring maintains constant pressure; as the Star Wheel turns, pressure builds until the spring snaps back between the teeth, creating the satisfying, instantaneous “jump” of the hour disc.
Perfected Proportions
Despite the complex, multi-layered mechanics within, the physical footprint of the watch is beautifully restrained. The case is machined from premium 904L stainless steel and measures a highly versatile 38.5mm in diameter with a compact 47.5mm lug-to-lug distance.
At 12.3mm thick—which includes the single-domed sapphire crystal treated with an internal anti-reflective coating—it promises excellent wearability across a wide variety of wrist sizes.
Outfitted with a supple, luxurious Alcantara® strap crafted by the strap masters at Delugs and boasting a 50m water resistance rating, the €2,500 Baltic x SPACEONE Seconde Majeure is a stunning testament to what happens when two distinct watchmaking philosophies unite through genuine friendship. It is a masterful blend of yesterday’s precision and tomorrow’s design.
