Combining two unique minds in the horological space, Baltic and SpaceOne have united to present the Seconde Majeure, mixing tradition with radical aesthetics.
As of late, the watch world seems to be brimming with new and interesting collaborations. One that broke the internet recently was the Swatch and Audemars Piguet team-up, but it is certainly not the first, nor the last, odd couple we have seen in the watch industry. For all intents and purposes, such meetings of the minds should hardly be possible. But if there is anything I learned from Paula Abdul and MC Skat Kat, it is that opposites attract.
Nowhere is this more apparent in the watch world than with Baltic and SpaceOne. Founded by Etienne Malec and Guillaume Laidet respectively, both have made significant strides in both the global and Parisian watchmaking scene.
Most are no stranger to Malec’s success, having built Baltic from a heritage-inspired Kickstarter microbrand into an independent horological force. Laidet, on the other hand, founded SpaceOne to pursue a futuristic design language with the help of Théo Auffret.
Despite the vast differences in Baltic and SpaceOne’s watchmaking philosophies, they are more similar than you might think. Laidet found his initial success through reviving legacy brands like Vulcain, Nivada Grenchen, and Excelsior Park, while Baltic distinguished itself during Only Watch 2024 with the highly conceptual Premier Quantième Perpétuel. Thus, their unified effort with the Seconde Majeure goes beyond industry disruption and feels more like fate.
Old Dog, New Tricks
Sized at 38.5mm in diameter, 47.5mm lug-to-lug, and 12.3mm thick, the new Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure is the culmination of everything both brands represent. The rounded case silhouette, while traditional at first glance, is anything but. The crown is absent from the three o’clock position, instead sitting flush at 12 o’clock. While this may be due to the functions of the watch, it makes the Seconde Majeure all the more distinctive.
Furthermore, the use of 904L stainless steel underscores the progressiveness of both brands. Unlike standard 316L, 904L is far more resistant to scratches and corrosion, while offering a more lustrous polished finish. Water resistant to 50m, the Seconde Majeure is undoubtedly a dress watch, but not one that will shy away from daily wear.
In terms of wearability, the watch is fitted with a tan Alcantara leather strap courtesy of Singaporean strap brand Delugs. As is the case with every Delugs strap, it is interchangeable should you wish to switch up the appearance. Keep in mind, though, that the Seconde Majeure uses curved spring bars. While some online have lamented the resulting gap between the strap and case, it is important to note that this was likely necessary to accommodate the push-pull crown.
A (German) Silver Medal
Design-wise, the Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure is offered with two different finishes, both atop a plate of warm German silver. The first is more familiar to the average enthusiast, with a vertically brushed dial. Personally, I find it more distinct than sunray brushing, and it underscores the individuality of the watch itself.
The second dial variation, Charbonné, manages to go even further. Applied by hand in Auffret’s Paris atelier, the Charbonné texture gives the dial an organic, random pattern that makes every piece unique.
But of course, that is not the only unique element of the Seconde Majeure. French for “Major Seconds”, the watch emphasises the seconds hand while also providing unique displays for the hours and minutes. Departing from traditional hands, it instead employs a layered system of sapphire discs and apertures.
Hours are presented through a jumping aperture at 12 o’clock, while minutes are indicated via a rotating sapphire disc, read with a crosshair-style pointer. The large seconds display, also on a sapphire disc, maintains visual prominence throughout.
The Théo Touch
Turning the watch around, you will not find a display caseback, but it does not detract from the beating heart within. As expected from smaller brands like Baltic and SpaceOne, the Seconde Majeure is powered by a third-party movement, the reliable Soprod Cal. P024. Beating at the luxury standard of 4Hz (28,800VpH) with a 42-hour power reserve, this movement is commonly found in both microbrands and Festina Group-owned companies like Perrelet.
However, this is not quite the same movement as you may see elsewhere. Auffret is not only a master watchmaker with his own eponymous brand, but his partnership with Laidet has allowed him to significantly modify the Cal. P024. The jumping-hour mechanism, built around a central control wheel, engages a 12-tooth star wheel once every hour.
A jumper spring maintains tension within the system, releasing energy precisely at the top of each hour to produce a crisp, instantaneous jump. Combined with the addition of the minutes disc, Auffret’s contributions have transformed the Seconde Majeure from a novelty into a remarkable feat of independent horology.
Initial Thoughts
Both Baltic and SpaceOne are equally compelling brands to me. For one, they are from one of my favourite watchmaking hotspots in Paris, alongside names like Pequignet, Beaubleu, and Serica. Beyond that, both Malec and Laidet represent what could be the next generation of staple brands in the industry.
There is no doubt that legacy watch brands are moving upmarket. The kingmakers, the Big Three, and even the once-accessible gateways into the luxury world are beginning to move out of reach, taking the ladder with them.
But where one door closes, another has opened, and brands like Baltic, SpaceOne, and even Auffret Paris are beginning to write watchmaking’s next chapter. In that sense, the Seconde Majeure is more than a simple collaboration, offering a glimpse into the future of watch design and the industry itself.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | N/A (Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure Jumping Hour) |
| Dimensions | 38.5mm case diameter x 47.5mm lug-to-lug x 12.3mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Vertically brushed / charbonné (charcoal-finished) German silver dial with white & black accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed, engraved |
| Movement | Automatic Soprod Cal. P024 with jump hour, digital minute disc, & oversized seconds complications |
| Power Reserve | 42h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Interchangeable tan alcantara leather strap with steel pin buckle |