An Unlikely Alliance: The BALTIC x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure is a Masterclass in Collaborative Watchmaking
In the world of independent watchmaking, collaborations can often feel predictable. Brands with similar aesthetics join forces, creating a product that, while appealing, rarely surprises. And then, a release comes along that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Enter the BALTIC x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure, a timepiece born from an unexpected friendship that beautifully merges vintage sensibilities with futuristic horology.
Check out the official collaboration site!
This isn't just a watch; it's a story. A story of two French brands with philosophies at opposite ends of the design spectrum, finding common ground to create something truly exceptional. It’s a testament to the idea that the most exciting creations often come from the most unforeseen partnerships.
This collision of two worlds works so well... These two brands seemingly bring out the best in each other. The Seconde Majeure combines Baltic's charm with SpaceOne's innovation.
A Tale of Two Ateliers
BALTIC: The Master of Neo-Vintage
Since its founding in 2017 by Etienne Malec, BALTIC has carved out a formidable reputation for its immaculately executed, vintage-inspired timepieces. Drawing inspiration from his father's collection of classic 1940s watches, Malec has built a brand that resonates with enthusiasts who appreciate timeless design, accessible pricing, and a transparent approach to manufacturing. With design in Paris and assembly in the historic watchmaking town of Besançon, BALTIC has become a darling of the microbrand scene, known for hits like the Aquascaphe diver and the elegant MR01.
SpaceOne: The Avant-Garde Explorer
On the other side of the creative coin is SpaceOne. Founded in 2023 by serial watch entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet and talented independent watchmaker Théo Auffret, SpaceOne is a brand that looks to the future, not the past. Their designs are inspired by space exploration and the "space-age" aesthetic of the 1960s, resulting in futuristic, conceptual watches that rethink how we display time. With pieces like the Jumping Hour and the astronomical Tellurium, SpaceOne has quickly established itself as a purveyor of innovative and highly technical watchmaking.
A Serendipitous Encounter
So how did these two disparate worlds collide? The story begins not in a design studio, but at a casual gathering. In 2021, BALTIC invited several French watchmakers to its new Paris headquarters. It was on this occasion that Théo Auffret and Guillaume Laidet met, sparking a friendship that would ultimately lead to the founding of SpaceOne. In essence, without BALTIC, there might be no SpaceOne. The Seconde Majeure is a celebration of that foundational moment, a project that brings the story full circle.
The Seconde Majeure: Deconstructed Time, Reconstructed Design
Rather than simply putting a SpaceOne dial in a BALTIC case, this collaboration is a ground-up creation, a harmonious fusion of two distinct identities. The result is a watch that feels both classic and radically new.
Case and Dimensions
The Seconde Majeure is housed in a brand-new case, crafted from 904L stainless steel, a material more commonly associated with high-end luxury brands. It boasts a very wearable 38.5mm diameter, a 47.5mm lug-to-lug, and a thickness of 12.3mm. The design features a sophisticated interplay of finishes, with a brushed caseband and lugs contrasted by a polished, concave bezel. In a nod to its avant-garde complication, the crown is unconventionally placed at 12 o'clock.
A Kinematic Display
The star of the show is undoubtedly the dial and its unique method of telling time. This is where Théo Auffret's mechanical prowess shines. Instead of traditional hands, the Seconde Majeure uses a system of rotating sapphire discs for the hours and minutes.
- Jumping Hour: The hours are displayed in an aperture at 12 o'clock, "jumping" into view at the top of every hour.
- Dragging Minutes: The minutes are shown at 6 o'clock on a dragging disc, indicated by a precise arrow-tipped crosshair.
- The "Seconde Majeure": A long, elegant central seconds hand sweeps across the entire dial, bringing a constant, graceful motion to the display and lending the watch its name, which translates to "Major Second."
The entire jumping-hour mechanism, developed by Auffret, is partially exposed on the dial, offering a glimpse into the mechanical ballet that powers this unconventional display.
Dial and Finishing
The base of the dial is a plate of maillechort (German silver), which offers a warmer, more silvery sheen than traditional brass. This plate is offered in two distinct finishes:
- A refined, vertically brushed finish.
- A stunning hand-applied "Charbonné" finish. This artisanal technique, performed in Auffret's own workshop, takes up to three hours per dial, resulting in a unique, organic texture that makes each watch one-of-a-kind.
The Movement Within
Powering this creative display is a robust and reliable Swiss engine: the automatic Soprod P024. This caliber, which operates at 4Hz and provides a 42-hour power reserve, serves as the base for the custom-built jumping hour module ingeniously designed by Théo Auffret.
Closing Thoughts
The BALTIC x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure is more than just a successful collaboration; it's a blueprint for how brands with different identities can come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. It blends BALTIC's mastery of proportion, finishing, and vintage charm with SpaceOne's bold, intellectual approach to horology.
This release was made available for a brief six-day pre-order window in May 2026, with production limited to the number of orders placed. This model ensures that everyone who wanted one could get one, while preserving its exclusivity. For those who secured a piece, they're not just getting a watch with a fascinating complication; they're owning a piece of a story—a story of friendship, mutual respect, and the magic that happens when vintage soul meets futuristic vision.
