The world of modern independent watchmaking (indie horology) frequently witnesses surprises where polar opposites attract, resulting in magnificent creations. The Seconde Majeure, brought to life by the collaboration of two respected Paris-based brands, Baltic and SpaceOne, is exactly such a timepiece. On one hand, there is a vision that pays homage to the classic lines of the past; on the other, a futuristic approach that looks as if it stepped right out of a sci-fi universe.
The Birth of Two Distinct Visions
The Founding of Baltic Watches: Founded in 2017 by Etienne Malec, Baltic takes its name from the Baltic Sea, where Malec's father's roots lay. Etienne's passion for watchmaking began with a meticulously kept collection journal he inherited from his father. Growing up studying the classic and vintage watches his father left behind, Malec built Baltic entirely on elegant, accessible, and neo-vintage design codes of the past. The brand quickly became a favorite among watch enthusiasts by blending traditional watchmaking with modern production techniques.
The Founding of SpaceOne: SpaceOne is the product of the shared vision of entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet - a key figure in the revival of brands like Nivada Grenchen and Vulcain - and brilliant young independent watchmaker Théo Auffret. Born from a chance meeting in 2021, this brand was created with the motto of offering space-age aesthetics and avant-garde horology at accessible price points. SpaceOne embraces a philosophy that rejects traditional hour and minute hands, constantly seeking alternative and kinetic ways to read time.
format_quote"On one hand, there is a vision that pays homage to the classic lines of the past; on the other, a futuristic approach that looks as if it stepped right out of a sci-fi universe."
Hasan Bekmezci
The Architect of the Mechanism: Théo Auffret
The man who elevated the Seconde Majeure project from a simple dial swap to a true piece of haute horlogerie is SpaceOne's co-founder, Théo Auffret. He is a brilliant, Paris-based independent horologist and a laureate of the world-renowned F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition. His eponymous atelier (Auffret Paris) produces bespoke, entirely hand-crafted watches where traditional hand-finishing techniques are applied at the highest level. The complex and architectural time display module in the Seconde Majeure is a direct result of Auffret's engineering intellect and traditional mechanical mastery.
The Mechanism: Caliber and Jumping-Hour Module
At the heart of the Seconde Majeure lies the flawless integration of a reliable Swiss motor and a custom module masterminded in Paris. The base movement is the Soprod P024 automatic caliber, operating at 4 Hz (28,800 vph) with a 42-hour power reserve.
On top of this sits Auffret's Jumping-Hour module. A central control wheel completes one rotation every 60 minutes. At the end of each cycle it engages a 12-tooth star wheel connected to the hour indicator at 12 o'clock. A jumper spring on the left side of the star wheel maintains constant tension; when the hour arrives, accumulated kinetic energy is suddenly released, snapping the hour disc to the next position with a crisp, instantaneous click.
The watch's name comes from its centrepiece: a massive, continuously sweeping blued seconds hand. Hours are read via a sapphire disc at 12 o'clock, minutes via a crosshair indicator at 6 o'clock, while the giant seconds hand glides over the composition without ever stopping.
Case, Dial and Finishing
The mechanism is housed in a 38.5 mm case crafted from 904L stainless steel, combining Baltic's classic lug structure with SpaceOne's polished, concave bezel details. The dial is cut from a single piece of Maillechort (German silver / Nickel silver), offered in two hand-crafted finish options:
Brossé (Brushed): A vertical brushing technique delivering an industrial and technical look.
Charbonné: A signature finish applied entirely by hand in Auffret's own atelier, giving the dial an organic, frosted, and decorative texture.
The Seconde Majeure is a flawless mechanical dance between Baltic's accessible neo-vintage soul and the high-horology futurism of SpaceOne and Théo Auffret.
