SpaceOne × Baltic Watches: When Friendship Sparks a Radical New Vision of Time

Unveiled today, the Seconde Majeure is not simply another collaborative release – it is the product of a human connection that defies traditional brand logic. This watch merges two seemingly opposing philosophies: Baltic’s reverence for vintage-inspired watchmaking and SpaceOne’s avant-garde, space-age reinterpretation of time display.

Born from friendship rather than strategy, the Seconde Majeure reflects a growing shift in independent watchmaking – where creative alignment matters more than brand DNA. The result is a piece that feels both disruptive and deeply rooted in horological craftsmanship.

The origins of the Seconde Majeure date back to 2021, at Baltic’s Paris headquarters, where emerging and established figures in French watchmaking gathered. It was there that Théo Auffret – a finalist at the 2024 edition of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives – and Guillaume Laidet first connected, an encounter that would eventually lead to the creation of SpaceOne.
 

Five years later, that shared vision has materialized in a watch that embodies both of their philosophies. However, the Seconde Majeure is less about compromise and more about synthesis – uniting mechanical rigor with playful experimentation.

At the heart of the Seconde Majeure lies a radical departure from traditional timekeeping. Hours and minutes are no longer centralized; instead, they are displayed on rotating sapphire discs positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock, respectively.

Guided by an arrow-tipped crosshair, the wearer reads time through motion and spatial awareness rather than static hands. Above this decentralized display, a sweeping central seconds hand brings life to the dial, giving the watch its name and reinforcing its dynamic personality.
 

The typography on the discs also leans toward the futuristic, creating a striking contrast with the more classical architecture beneath. This tension between old and new defines the watch’s visual identity.

The Seconde Majeure’s complication module – developed by Théo Auffret – is a study in visible mechanics and thoughtful construction.

A central control wheel completes one full rotation every 60 minutes, triggering the star wheel that governs the hour display at 12 o’clock. The jumper spring (which you can see on the left side of the star wheel) builds tension throughout the cycle before releasing it in a precise instant, causing the hour disc to “jump.”
 

This choreography of components is not hidden beneath the dial but revealed, inviting the wearer to engage with the mechanics. The dial itself plays a dual role as both an aesthetic surface and a structural foundation.

The Seconde Majeure unites dial and case into a single architectural concept – designed as one object rather than as separate parts.

The dial is cut from a single piece of maillechort (a silver-colored alloy composed primarily of copper, nickel, and zinc) and serves both as structure and display. Sapphire discs show hours and minutes at 12 and 6 o’clock, while a central seconds hand adds continuous motion. It comes in either a vertical brushed finish or a hand-applied “Charbonné” texture by Théo Auffret, giving each watch a distinct character.
 

The case is a newly developed 38.5mm design in 904L steel, created specifically for the collaboration between SpaceOne and Baltic Watches. It pairs a brushed mid-case with a polished concave bezel, while curved lugs ensure a comfortable, natural fit.

The Seconde Majeure reflects a broader shift in contemporary horology, where independence fuels experimentation and collaborations emerge from personal connection rather than market strategy. It challenges conventional ways of displaying time, how brands work together, and how collectors relate to mechanical watches.
 

By merging Baltic’s historical sensitivity with SpaceOne’s forward-looking design language, these two brands have created something that neither could have achieved alone. More than a watch, it stands as a statement that the future of watchmaking lies in the tension between tradition and disruption.

The Seconde Majeure will be available for pre-order from May 12 to May 17, 2026, with pricing set at €2,500 (excluding taxes) for the brushed version, while the hand-finished Charbonné edition is priced at €3,500, reflecting the additional level of artisanal craftsmanship involved.
 

For more information, please visit Baltic Watches or SpaceOne’s website.