A landmark Parisian collaboration

Two design philosophies are at odds. Baltic makes vintage-inspired watches, playing with traditional watchmaking’s codes and modern construction. On the opposite side, SpaceOne offers spaceship looking watches with a deconstructed approach to the display of time. One blends heritage with precision. The other redesigns tomorrow for fun. Yet, the two are tied together by friendship. And now, in a landmark first for both French makers, SpaceOne brings its unique time display to the classic, mid-century case architecture of Baltic to yield the Charbonnè Limited Edition – a singularly spectacular and wildly collectable collaboration.

The Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure takes a kinematic approach to time reading. Time is decentralized, traditional hands make way for sapphire discs, all in favor of an exclusive complication module. Hours are read at 12 o’clock and minutes at 6 o’clock guided by an arrow ending crosshair. The forward-looking typography stamped on the discs brings contrast to the otherwise classic assembly. A large seconds hand glides above, bringing motion to the seemingly still composition and giving its name to the
watch: Seconde Majeure.

Offering an ingenious architecture, the Seconde Majeure is designed around its complication. The jumping-hour module - developed by Théo Auffret relies on three visible components, starting with a Central Control Wheel which lies beneath the minute disc. It makes a full rotation in 60 minutes. When it completes a full rotation, it engages with the Star Wheel. The latter has 12 teeth, corresponding to the 12 hours displayed on the disc attached above. The Jumper Spring, visible to the left, keeps pressure on the Star Wheel, maintaining it centered. It is also responsible for the “jump” of the hour disc. Pressure builds when the Star Wheel begins its rotation. The hour jumps when the spring settles back between the next teeth.

The dial ties the face together. Cut from a single piece of maillechort, it is both decorative and essential. The plate supports the module and allows the watch to
function. This "Charbonne" guillachet dial is a signature technique performed by expert watchmakers in Théo Auffret’s atelier. Done exclusively by hand, it requires up to three
hours of work, giving each watch a truly unique character.

Specifications

• Case: 38.5mm 904L Stainless steel (12.3mm thick, 47.5mm L2L)
• Movement Soprod P024 base (Automatic, self-winding mechanical)
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Dial: Guillochet
• Water-resistance: 5 atm (50 meters)
  
• Strap: 20mm lug width, Alcantara leather with stainless steel pin buckle
• Assembled in France
• Individually numbered limited edition