SPACEONE / Theo Auffret & Guillaume Laidet
Key Highlights
- SpaceOne and Baltic Watches present the Seconde Majeure, a jumping-hour collaboration rooted in personal friendship
- Custom complication module — Central Control Wheel, Star Wheel, and Jumper Spring — developed by Théo Auffret
- 38.5mm case in 904L stainless steel; sapphire discs display hours at 12 o’clock and minutes at 6 o’clock
- Two dial finishes: vertical brushed (€2,500) or hand-applied Charbonné (€3,500), excluding taxes
- Pre-order window runs 12–17 May 2026; production limited to orders placed within those six days
SpaceOne Baltic Seconde Majeure watch with sapphire discs and jumping-hour complication” />A Parisian Beginning
There is no obvious logic to a SpaceOne–Baltic collaboration. Baltic builds vintage-inspired watches that balance heritage codes with modern construction. SpaceOne, founded by Théo Auffret and Guillaume Laidet, offers spacecraft-aesthetic timepieces with a deconstructed approach to time reading. One is grounded in the past; the other is engineering tomorrow for sport. What brought them together was something far simpler than design philosophy: a friendship formed in 2021 at Baltic’s Paris headquarters, when French watchmakers gathered to visit the brand’s new office. Auffret and Laidet were among them, and what started as a shared afternoon became, five years later, a shared watch.
The Seconde Majeure is the direct result of that bond. Rather than simply housing a SpaceOne module in an existing Baltic case, both parties committed to designing something neither would have produced independently. The outcome is an entirely new case architecture, a new complication, and a finishing technique applied exclusively by hand — a watch shaped by collaboration rather than compromise.
Deconstructing the Display
The Seconde Majeure takes a kinematic approach to time reading. Traditional hands are replaced by sapphire discs: hours appear at 12 o’clock, minutes at 6 o’clock, each guided by an arrow ending in a crosshair. Forward-looking typography stamped on the discs introduces contrast against the otherwise disciplined layout. A large central seconds hand sweeps across the composition — perpetually in motion, giving the watch both its name and its animation.
The Jumping-Hour Mechanism
The complication module, developed entirely by Théo Auffret, rests on three visible components. A Central Control Wheel beneath the minute disc completes one full rotation every 60 minutes. Upon completing that rotation, it engages the Star Wheel — a 12-tooth component corresponding to the 12 hours displayed on the disc above it. A Jumper Spring, visible to the left of the assembly, keeps pressure on the Star Wheel and maintains its centring. As the Star Wheel begins its rotation, pressure builds; when the spring settles between the next pair of teeth, the hour disc jumps cleanly into position. The dial itself is cut from a single piece of maillechort, functioning simultaneously as a decorative surface and as the structural plate that supports the entire module. For readers interested in the broader landscape of independent watchmaking, this level of in-house modular construction is precisely what defines the movement’s creative ambition.
Case, Finish, and Strap
The Seconde Majeure is housed in a 38.5mm case machined from 904L stainless steel — the same grade used by some of the most demanding names in independent watchmaking. Lug-to-lug measures 47.5mm; thickness sits at 12.3mm. The mid-case, lugs, and case back are brushed throughout, with contrast delivered by a polished concave bezel whose shape is mirrored on the arched, low-hanging lugs. This profile allows the watch to sit naturally against the wrist without the stiffness typical of sportier geometries. The strap, crafted by Delugs from beige Alcantara®, features curved spring bars that wrap fluidly around both wrist and case.
Dial Finishing
Two finishing options are available. The vertical brushed version (€2,500 excluding taxes) provides a clean, structured surface. The Charbonné finish (€3,500 excluding taxes) is the more labour-intensive choice: applied exclusively by hand in Théo Auffret’s atelier, each Charbonné dial requires up to three hours of individual attention, ensuring no two examples are identical. The movement inside both versions is the Soprod P024, an automatic calibre with a 42-hour power reserve, protected by a single-dome sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating. Water resistance is rated to 50 metres.
Pre-Order and Production
The Seconde Majeure becomes available for pre-order on 12 May 2026 at 4pm Paris time, with the window closing on 17 May 2026 at 4pm. Production will be limited strictly to the number of orders received within those six days — no more, no less. Each piece is individually numbered on the case back. Shipments are scheduled to begin in November 2026. For the GCC collector, this format rewards decisiveness: the watch will not re-enter production after the window closes. Those seeking to follow the release or learn more about the project can visit the official Baltic Watches website directly.
Why It Matters
The Seconde Majeure is a genuine product of friendship rather than commercial calculation — and it reads that way on the wrist. Two creative philosophies that have no natural common ground have produced a mechanism, a case, and a finishing language that neither brand would have reached independently. For collectors across the GCC drawn to Watches and Wonders-calibre horological ambition at an accessible independent price point, this six-day window in May 2026 deserves close attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What movement powers the SpaceOne Baltic Seconde Majeure?
The Seconde Majeure is powered by a Soprod P024 automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, paired with a custom jumping-hour complication module developed by Théo Auffret.
What is the case size of the Seconde Majeure?
The Seconde Majeure features a 38.5mm diameter case in 904L stainless steel, with a lug-to-lug distance of 47.5mm and a thickness of 12.3mm.
How much does the Seconde Majeure cost?
The Seconde Majeure is priced at €2,500 (excluding taxes) for the brushed dial version and €3,500 for the Charbonné dial finish.
When is the SpaceOne Baltic Seconde Majeure available for pre-order?
Pre-orders open on 12 May 2026 at 4pm Paris time and close on 17 May 2026. Production is limited to the number of orders placed during this six-day window, with shipments expected to begin in November 2026.
What dial finishes are available on the Seconde Majeure?
The watch is offered in two dial finishes: a vertical brushed finish and the signature Charbonné finish, which is applied entirely by hand in Théo Auffret's atelier and requires up to three hours of work per piece.
