A few weeks ago, after persistent requests spanning several months, I finally received the SpaceOne Jumping Hour for a hands-on review.
As someone in constant contact with Guillaume Laide, the brand's founder, I was fortunate to follow the project from the beginning until last year when, after a long relocation from Germany, he 'spoiled' one of my prototypes with a well-deserved beer at the Grand Duke pub in Geneva. Like those I have here, these watches were carbon models, though not Destro. I told him he should send me the same once the project launched. Finally, that day arrived, and the SpaceOne Jumping Hour Destro Forged Carbon landed on my desk.
Full disclosure: I'm not left-handed, and I'm not particularly fond of left-handed watches. Fortunately for the brand, many versions sold out so quickly that there weren't many press samples left. But I don't mind: there's something cool about watches made for the other wrist.
SpaceOne
The brand we know today as SpaceOne didn't start under this name. As some may recall, the initial idea was a Kickstarter campaign under a different name but with the same model. The project was successful, raising a seven-figure sum from backers. Then followed a lawsuit that forced Guillaume and his colleagues to change the brand name to SpaceOne. By then, the watches were ready, and production was imminent.
As the saying goes, all's well that ends well, and now, a year after this ordeal, I'm pleased to see that the SpaceOne Jumping Hour is now available to watch enthusiasts worldwide. Good news for brand fans: the second model, Tellurium, is also ready for pre-order. I had the opportunity to witness the magic in action. We'll share more on this soon.
Jumping Hour
The 'jumping hour' complication appeared as early as the 1830s. Despite this, aside from a few Haute Horlogerie brands, not many models with this feature can be found today. To find the largest selection, you'd likely have to go back to the late 70s when the Swiss watch industry decided that fighting quartz meant creating mechanical watches that looked like quartz. Such watches usually had low-grade movements and were more aesthetics-focused.
Most were produced by small brands, but larger manufacturers like Tissot also released jumping hour models in the past. The SpaceOne model is inspired by the 70s, albeit with a twist. The complication recalls those playful watches, and the case design is also unconventional. Other iconic brands of that era, like Amida, will also be relaunched this year.
Carbon
The SpaceOne Jumping Hour is offered in three case material variants - steel, titanium, and forged carbon. I won't list every version, but options range from polished to matte blued steel. You can find them all on the SpaceOne website. My Destro version is virtually identical to the standard model, but the movement and the hour and minute wheels are reversed. So, regardless of which version you choose, you'll get the same dimensions.
At its 'longest' point, the watch measures 41.6 mm; this would be the lug-to-lug length if the watch had visible lugs. The width, including the crown, is 52.9 mm. The thickness isn't too great - 13 mm, so aside from the width, the watch doesn't have unusual dimensions. On a wrist measuring 19.5 cm (7.5 inches), like mine, the watch fits comfortably.
However, I must note that I'm not a big fan of the 22mm rubber strap. It's very stiff and thick, which is somewhat uncomfortable for me. However, thanks to the quick-release spring bars, it can be removed in seconds and you can put the SpaceOne Jumping Hour on something more to your taste. Or you can swap it for an extra standard strap, as the package includes both black and orange options.
Another point of interest for prospective buyers: although I received the Destro version for the right wrist, I wear it on the left as I'm right-handed. This might not be as comfortable, as the crown and protective elements can interfere. However, most right-handed people wouldn't choose a Destro watch anyway.
Soprod Inside
The heart of the SpaceOne Jumping Hour is the Soprod P024 caliber, operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 per hour) and featuring a 38-hour power reserve. However, this version is heavily modified by Theo Offray. It lacks a date, but features three discs. The one nearest to the case center, marked only with hash marks, is for seconds, the middle one (on the Destro) is for minutes, and the outer one is for hours. In standard versions, the last two discs are arranged the other way around.
Since the watch is automatic, there's no need to wind it, and the crown is not screw-down. Partially because of this, the watch is water-resistant up to 3 ATM. If you want to see the movement, the case back allows you to peek through two sapphire crystals.
It's worth noting that these watches are not the most legible, but this applies to almost all jumping hour watches. But if you're wearing a SpaceOne, you won't mind taking another look to admire the design.
Final Thoughts
Only a few versions of the SpaceOne Jumping Hour remain available for sale, as the watches were released according to the original Kickstarter plans. You need to visit the website to see how many units of each version remain in stock.
For example, as of today (April 24, 2024), there are 10 units of the Destro Forged Carbon left. Additionally, the carbon versions are the only ones without the SpaceOne name on the front of the case. It's difficult to inscribe on forged carbon, so this is the option for those seeking an anonymous model. The price of my watch is 1,900 euros, while the steel versions cost 1,500 euros (excluding taxes).
And finally, let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, the SpaceOne Jumping Hour resembles the De Bethune Dream Watch 5, but given that their prices start at around 200,000 euros, they are in entirely different leagues. I'm a fan of the SpaceOne Jumping Hour, and you should be too.