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On the opposite side, SpaceOne offers spaceshi-looking watches with a deconstructed approach to time reading. One blends heritage with precision. The other redesigns tomorrow for fun. Yet, the two are tied together by friendship.
Théo Auffret and Guillaume Laidet met on that occasion, making it the start of their friendship and what would become SpaceOne. Five years later, that bond gave life to a watch, the Seconde Majeure.
DESTRUCTURED DISPLAY
The 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.
VERTICALITY: TYING FORM TO FUNCTION
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.
A Central Control Wheel 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 later 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.
EXCLUSIVE FINISHING
The watch is available with two different dial finishes: Vertical brushed or “Charbonné”.
This signature technique is 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.
A TIMELESS CASE
Housing a SpaceOne module in a Baltic case would have been too easy.
We aimed at something new, something none of us would have made without the other. The result is an entirely new design. Inspired by independent watchmaking, the Seconde Majeure is fitted with a 38.5mm case.
Production will be limited by the number of orders placed during these six days.
THE PROTAGONISTS
ETIENNE MALEC
Watch enthusiast and collector who has an eye for photography and product design. He understands and respects history but has no desire to live in the past.
JAS REWKIEWICZ
Creative director and cultural shapeshifter, Jas is the custodian of Baltic’s identity. His art direction translates vintage subtlety into modern design.
THÉO AUFFRET
Brilliant watchmaker and constructor, Théo is a master of mechanical engineering.
GUILLAUME LAIDET
Serial watch entrepreneur, Guillaume is a catalyst for disruptive concepts. He anticipates the watchmaking of tomorrow and provides a structural framework for an audacious approach to reading time.
Calendar:
MAY8 TH 2026, 4PM (PARIS TIME) | EMBARGO UNVEILING Public presentation of the Seconde Majeure
MAY12 TH 2026, 4PM (PARIS TIME) Start of the sale of the Seconde Majeure
MAY17 TH End of the sale 2026, 4PM (PARIS TIME) NOVEMBER 2026 Start of the expeditions
SPACEONE WORLDTIMER: UNIVERSAL TIME, REINVENTED A Futuristic Vision of Watchmaking
SpaceOne
was born from the shared ambition of Théo Auffret and Guillaume Laidet,
two watchmaking enthusiasts united by a common vision: a form of
watchmaking that is innovative, technical, and accessible.
Founded in
2023, the brand quickly made a name for itself as a key player in
avant-garde horology, offering original complications and designs
inspired by space exploration.
After the tremendous success of the Jumping Hour in 2023 and the Tellurium
in 2024 — and with over 1,200 watches shipped worldwide — SpaceOne
continues to push the boundaries of creativity and functionality with
the WorldTimer.
In
2025, the French maison enters its Act III, determined to keep both
feet on the ground after exploring the solar system. Its mission: to
accompany global travelers—both for work and for leisure.
This spirit of
exploration is expressed through a design that merges space shuttle
aesthetics with automotive cues, once again signed by Olivier Gamiette,
who returns to put his distinctive mark on this new SpaceOne model.
A reimagined digital display
The SpaceOne WorldTimer takes a
radically different approach from traditional watches by replacing
classic hands with a system of rotating discs.
This architecture is
built around four key elements: a minutes disc at 3 o’clock, a central
seconds disc, a 12-hour disc at 6 o’clock, and finally, two coaxial
discs at 9 o’clock displaying 24-hour time and corresponding cities.
The ingenuity of the WorldTimer lies not only in its display but also in its setting system. Thanks to a three-position crown, it is remarkably easy to use:
The second, specially engineered, enables quick city disc setting.
The third simultaneously adjusts both the 12H and 24H hour discs.
This setup ensures a highly intuitive operation — ideal for discerning travelers and collectors.
A bold, technical design
Following the success of the Tellurium in 2024, collaborating again with Olivier Gamiette was an obvious choice for this new creation. The WorldTimer’s case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, a material known for its lightness and durability.
The design combines polished, brushed, and sandblasted finishes, playing with light to enhance its bold, futuristic character. An ultra-resistant sapphire dome protects the coaxial discs at 9 o’clock as well as the hour disc at 6 o’clock.
After
using Soprod movements for Acts I and II, Théo and Guillaume chose to
continue working with the Swiss manufacture, recognized for its
robustness and accuracy.
The watch is powered by the automatic Soprod
P024movement, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) with a
38-hour power reserve.
An in-house developed complication
The WorldTimer is not a simple
digital-style watch — it is the result of meticulous engineering. SpaceOne
has developed and assembled its own in-house WorldTimer complication,
ensuring a level of innovation and precision that is truly unique.
A
Swiss caliber, a French complication, and assembly in Paris — this
timepiece perfectly embodies the brand’s essence: to offer technical,
disruptive, and accessible watches. The WorldTimer will be available at a
price of €2,700 (excluding VAT).
Time exploration, theSpaceOneway
Since its creation, SpaceOne has
relentlessly pursued new ways to reimagine traditional watchmaking. With
audacious designs and original complications, the brand speaks both to
seasoned collectors looking for something unique, and to curious
newcomers acquiring their first complicated timepiece.
Following
the Tellurium, the WorldTimer stands as a new demonstration of
SpaceOne’s boldness and know-how. With this watch, world time becomes
more than just a display — it transforms into an experience, where
technology and design merge to offer a new way of reading time.
Guillaume Laidet
is one of today’s most prominent young watch entrepreneurs. He blends
authentic, creative, Swiss Made watchmaking with a digital-first model
(subscription and online sales), making high-quality pieces more
affordable. He is currently CEO of Nivada Grenchen and SpaceOne, and
also oversees collections at Vulcain Manufacture.
Théo Auffret
is an independent watchmaker based near Paris. A builder and prototyper
trained in both France and Switzerland, and a prizewinner at the F.P.
Journe Competition, he operates under his own name. His Tourbillon àParisand Grand Sport Tourbillon— both
GPHG pre-selected — are now entirely in the hands of discerning
collectors. He is currently working on his third creation, alongside the
two models already developed for SpaceOne.
Olivier Gamiette
is the creative mind behind this futuristic design, once again bridging
the gap between the automotive world and outer space. Known for his
fluid, futuristic lines and daring displays, Gamiette continues to
explore his creative universe outside of his daytime role as a designer
at Peugeot.
A passionate watch enthusiast, he is also the author of the
acclaimed 2015 book “Soon – Timepiece Phenomena”, showcasing dozens of
visionary watch designs.
Availability & Price
The SpaceOne WorldTimer will be
available at 2’700 € before taxes for pre-order starting on 26th pf June
at 4 pm French Time via the official SpaceOne website. First batch of
600 pieces delivered before end of 2025.
Time Exploration, the SpaceOneWay
Since its creation, SpaceOne has relentlessly pursued new ways to reimagine traditional watchmaking. With audacious designs and original complications, the brand speaks both to seasoned collectors looking for something unique, and to curious newcomers acquiring their first complicated timepiece.
Following the Tellurium, the WorldTimer stands as a new demonstration of SpaceOne’s boldness and know-how. With this watch, world time becomes more than just a display — it transforms into an experience, where technology and design merge to offer a new way of reading time.
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium, polished/brushed/sandblasted Length: 52.7 mm Width: 41.9 mm (lug-to-lug) Thickness: 15.88 mm (incl. 24h/city dome) Glass: Sapphire domes Water-resistant to 30 meters Movement Soprod P024 In-house WorldTimer complication Assembled in Paris, France Frequency: 4 Hz, 28'800vph Power reserve of 38 hours Strap and buckle Rubber strap Buckle: Grade 5 titanium Strap: 22 mm → 18 mm
🔰 Limited edition of 600 pieces
🔴 Price 1'800CHF / 2,700.00 EUR (incl. VAT for EU sales)💰
The Indie Insider
is our column dedicated to exploring the vast world of independent
watchmaking through the eyes of Phillips in Association with Bacs &
Russo. Expect in-depth coverage of the latest and greatest watchmakers
and releases to enter the scene, as well as detailed analysis on all
your favorite familiar names.
– By Arthur Touchot; images by author unless noted
The first independent watchmaker I ever profiled was a Frenchman.
I was a young journalist working for the International New
York Times in Paris, and my editor had spotted my interest in
watchmaking. Thrilled, I imagined free tickets to Switzerland, factory
tours, and interviews with master artisans. But reality tempered my
excitement: contacting brands to arrange such trips was strictly against
the INYT's ethical code.
Viot lived in Paris. After spending a few years in
Switzerland, he had moved back to the French capital and in 2008, had
started his own Chronometer series, based on a Peseux 260. It was one of
the very few high-end watches that one could proudly say was "Made in
France" by hand, and a few watch collectors had started whispering his
name in my ear.
Unfortunately for me, Viot had only timidly advanced on the
production of his watches and was in between two pieces when I met him,
in his home in Paris — so there wasn't much for me to see, or report
on. But I learned about all the other projects that kept Viot, a
restorer at heart, busy with his time, including the unsolicited repair
of the Pantheon's bell - that story, including how he used the capital's
underground catacombs to access the historical building,👉 is what I eventually turned in. Moral of the story : there's always a good story...!
Fast forward more than a decade, and I now live in Geneva,
deeply immersed in the world of watchmaking. My days are spent meeting
with creators, documenting their work through articles and videos, or
simply making time for people whose craft I admire. But even after
moving to Switzerland, I couldn't have predicted that Paris would call
me back to discover someone new.
Auffret first popped onto my radar in 2018 when he won the
F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition with an extraordinary, handcrafted
regulator tourbillon. While many saw echoes of Journe's influence, the
tourbillon's origins led back to Jean-Baptiste Viot's workshop — a
connection that piqued my curiosity.
Viot had never mentioned his interest in teaching
watchmaking. He struck me as someone who valued his solitude and was too
preoccupied with completing horological side quests to take on an
apprentice. Whatever the reason, Viot wasn't looking for help in 2012.
But Auffret was.
Initially, he found work in a Parisian boutique and trained
in clock restoration, but then Auffret discovered Viot's work on the
cover of Horlogerie Française. Inspired, he reached out to Viot to
request an apprenticeship, eventually landing in his workshop a couple
of years later.
Viot taught Auffret everything he knew about the
fundamentals of traditional watchmaking, which Auffret used to develop
his first Tourbillon prototype.
The Jean-Baptiste Viot Chronometre à Paris. Crédit: Laurent Xavier Moulin
In return, the young man helped Viot
complete his own chronometer project by working closely together on the
last three pieces that had been promised to clients.
After winning the F.P.Journe prize with his prototype,
Auffret moved to Switzerland to pursue his watch education with Luca
Soprana. But just like Viot, his journey there was short, and he felt
compelled to return to Paris, where he eventually established his
atelier.
Viot is the archetypal mad genius — a man of immense talent
and an appetite for challenging environments. I will never forget when
he offered that we visit his atelier, just to walk out into his gardem
down to a small wooden shed, where a collection of compact tools were
apparentyl all he needed to create the most magnificent timekeepers.
Auffret, by contrast, is methodical and well-organized. His
atelier in Villennes-sur-Seine is modern and structured. Spread over
two floors, it houses manufacturing and decoration processes on the
ground level and assembly above. He has already recruited two talented
French watchmakers, Eve Albanesi (a fellow Lycée Edgar Faure Morteau
alumnus) and Nathan Tremion, to join his core watchmaking team.
Nathan Tremion (left) with Eve Albanesi (center) and Theo Auffret (right). Image by the author.
What sets Auffret apart is his commitment to reviving Paris
as a hub for independent watchmaking. While he could have followed the
well-trodden path of French watchmakers establishing themselves in
Switzerland — joining the ranks of F.P. Journe, Denis Flageollet, and
Vianney Halter — he chose to return home and carve his own path.
His debut creation, the Tourbillon à Paris, reflects this
vision. Inspired by 18th-century precision timepieces, the watch
features a regulator display, with an impressive 14mm tourbillon cage
positioned 7 o'clock and exposed bridges in German silver or steel.
This
carriage, moving at 21,600 vibrations per hour, includes a Breguet
hairspring and cylindrical weights inspired by historic marine
chronometers, ensuring impeccable balance.
A close-up view of the tourbillon. Image by the author.
The 38.5mm case can be crafted in platinum, gold, silver,
or steel, with variations in dial finish, screw colour, and hand shape.
Each detail, from the polished hands to the meticulously finished
components, reflects Auffret's dedication to artisanal craftsmanship.
Another view of the Tourbillon à Paris. Credit : Theo Auffret.
Shortlisted for the 2022 GraGrnd Prix d'Horlogerie de
Genève's Tourbillon prize, the Tourbillon à Paris raised Auffret's
profile among his peers. His next creation, the Tourbillon Grand Sport,
surprised many.
Not many young indepedents venture into the world of
sports watches. Very few can translate their ideas from the realm of
classic dress watches to that of sports watches, but Auffret took that
turn immediately and did it very well.
The Grand Sport retains the off-centre tourbillon but
introduces a bold new aesthetic. Housed in a larger, 41mm titanium case
with an integrated bracelet, it features a sapphire dial, monochromatic
palette, and torque-based power reserve indicator. The addition of crown
guards, the thicker and more aggressive lug profile, and the coupling
of the central hour and minute hands complete the Tourbillon's
metamorphosis.
For collectors, choosing between the two watches presents a
unique dilemma. Both represent distinct sides of Auffret's artistry,
offering customizable components that reflect his desire to create
bespoke pieces rather than impose his own preferences.
Recently, I got the chance to handle a new, unique Tourbillon, which pays homage to Viot. This Tourbillon façon Viot
(an unofficial name by the author) incorporates some of his mentor's
signatures, with a blue-heated steel ring riveted with silver pins. You
don’t have to know the backstory between these two watchmakers to
appreciate the watch; on it's own, it's a breautifully crafted, and
overall extremely coherant deisng. But when you do, it becomes something
truly special.
The unique Tourbillon à Paris, inspired by Jean-Baptiste Viot's chronometer. Credit : Jess Hoffman / PHILLIPS.
It’s not uncommon in the watchmaking industry to hear
younger artisans praise those who mentored them, but it’s rare to see
that admiration take form as a physical, production piece.
Through a fortunate connection with the client who
commissioned it, I was able to gain insight into the watch’s production,
including why a collaboration between Auffret and his mentor was not
envisaged.
A view of the back of the unique watch. Credit : Jess Hoffman / PHILLIPS.
But we know Théo Auffret is open to creative
partnerships with fellow watchmakers. Last time I visited his atelier,
he had just received a package from Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat, a
mainplate made by Fleury Manufacture and finished by the independent
duo, on top of which they would collectively build their stunning
Chronomètre d'Observatoire Ref. 1342.
The result was an extraordinary three-handed chronometer wristwatch with
a timeless, old-school aesthetic, and the latest successful integration
of a vintage Zenith 135’s wheel train and balance.
Anecdotally, the watch also marked the first
traditional dial execution for all parties involved, and I hear this
experience has sparked new ideas for Théo Auffret—a potential
inspiration for a future model, perhaps with a more distinct “Parisian”
character.
All this to say, the future of independent watchmaking in the French
capital already looks quite bright, and Auffret is currently planning to
find a space closer to its center. The move would certainly mark a
pivotal step in his career and a significant boost for Paris's
watchmaking renaissance.
At the bench, with Nathan Tremion. Image by the author.
But before placing any more pressure on this young man's
shoulders, let's judge him for who he is. And that is neither a Viot
regén nor the next Journe. Auffret is something entirely new — a
watchmaker focused on delivering high-end, small-batch watches that
reflect his mentors' influences while bearing a uniquely personal
signature.
We've seen plenty of exceptional French watchmakers succeed
in Switzerland. Now, hopefully, it's time to see France
become successful at retaining that talent home.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an
uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service.
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for
the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV
having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022,
the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry,
resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction
houses at $227 million.
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