Introducing the SpaceOne Black Titanium Tellurium and Blue Titanium Tellurium

Over the years, we have seen many haute horology brands emerge and do some very exciting things. Brands like MB&F and Urwerk immediately come mind. These brands have led the way, creating exciting, avant-garde timepieces that often look out of this world and tell time in novel ways. Unfortunately, while we can all marvel at the novelties from these brands, they aren’t exactly attainable to most collectors. I mean, many of these watches fetch well over $100,000.

In the past few years, however, there has been a bit of a revolution in the affordable watch space. A few brands have been leading the charge, creating seriously cool and innovative watches, but at much more affordable price-points. And SpaceOne watches is leading that charge. Their first watch, the Jumping Hour, was seriously cool on its own. But the brand’s most recent release, the GPHG-nominated Tellurium was a revelation. The watch features a complication that tracks the relative motions of the Earth, moon and sun (in addition to a time display, as well as date and month).

And today, the brand released two new variations of the Tellurium, the Black Titanium Tellurium and Blue Titanium Tellurium. Both watches are seriously cool, and I would consider a grail in the more affordable watch category. Let’s get into it.

THE BASICS:

Brand: SpaceOne
Model: Tellurium Black Titanium and Tellurium Blue Titanium
Case Material: Titanium
Case Size: 42mm diameter by 50mm lug-to-lug; 16mm thick
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Movement: Soprod P024 H4 automatic with Patented Tellurium Complication Module
Movement Specs: 38-hour power reserve
Strap Options: Black fabric strap

The Juice:

I have been following SpaceOne since they released the Jumping Hour. And while the Jumping Hour is an incredibly cool watch, from the asymmetric, uniquely finished cases, to the jumping hour complicaton, the Tellurium really raises SpaceOne’s bona fides as a legitimate watchmaking outfit.

The Tellurium comes in a curved, asymmetrical (from top to bottom) case that is incredibly futuristic. This looks like something that Urwerk might produce for close to $100,000, not something that you can get for under $4,000. And if that isn’t enough, the complication is out of this world (literally).

The tellurium complication tracks the relative motions of the Earth and moon around the central sun. We have seen a similar complication in the Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Complication, which will cost you over $200,000 at retail (though, admittedly, it tracks the 5 planets visible to the naked eye). But to get a similar complication at well under $5,000 is seriously impressive.

And how is that accomplished? Well, through a patented module added to the Soprod P024 H4 automatic. More affordable brands have been making use of “off the shelf”, reliable movements and adding complications produced in-house to create exciting new pieces. Notable examples of this are the Christopher Ward Bel Canto, the Amida Digitrend, and, of course, the SpaceOne Tellurium.

The previously released Tellurium featured a grade five titanium case with blue aventurine dial. The two new versions being released today will also feature a PVD-treated titanium case, except that one will be a blue titanium with the other black titanium. The blue titanium version, like the launch model, will feature a blue aventurine dial. The black titanium version is more of an “under the radar” variation of the watch, featuring a black onyx dial. Well, this was is as under the radar as you can get with such a piece.

Clearly, the Tellurium is a statement piece. As such, the 14mm diameter and 50mm lug-to-lug measures (not to mention the 16mm thickness), don’t bother me in the least. Plus, the smaller lugs, and curved case, make this a very wearable watch, even for those with smaller wrists. But, at the end of the day, this is a watch you want people to notice. Because it’s just that cool.

The SpaceOne Tellurium is truly a watch that punches well above its weight. This is a watch that will look right at home next to an MB&F, Moser or Urwerk. I am glad to see that after the the limited edition launch model sold out, it is available once again for collectors to snap up. I guess all that’s left is for me to get my hands on one long enough to do a proper hands-on review.

How much is the SpaceOne Tellurium Blue Titanium and Black Titanium?

Both the SpacOne Tellurium in Blue Titanium and Black Titanium are limited to 200 pieces each and retail for €2,990 (around $3,143 USD). You can pre-order yours here.