Mechanical watches have accompanied astronauts and cosmonauts into area for many years, however few up to date watches can declare to have been developed particularly across the calls for of extravehicular exercise, like Konstantin Chaykin’s new SC02C. Born from the manufacture’s collaboration with Roscosmos, Russia’s area company, the chronograph has been examined throughout 4 spacewalks and is now being launched as a civilian restricted version.
The venture started in 2018 with the making of a mechanical chronograph to be used outdoors the orbital station. Prototypes of the ensuing Area Conqueror have been examined aboard the ISS, additionally throughout spacewalks, with the findings used to refine the development. The newest-generation watches accompanied cosmonauts throughout an over 6-hour spacewalk as just lately as Could 27, 2026. The SC02C has been tailored for on a regular basis put on whereas retaining the options developed for professionals.
At 44mm in diameter and 14.5mm thick, the SC02C chrome steel case includes a unidirectional bezel and is unmistakably an instrument. Two rectangular, rounded polished chronograph pushers flank a big, fluted crown. The stable, theme-engraved caseback, fastened with 10 screws, gives further safety for the motion.
The sapphire crystal makes use of a reverse “dovetail” building, with its bevelled edge designed to stop the crystal from being compelled out below adjustments in stress or excessive hundreds. Earlier than being utilized in area, the watches underwent centrifuge, vibration, temperature and affect testing. The SC02C case is designed to face up to vacuum circumstances all the way down to 1 × 10-6 atmospheres, and incorporates antimagnetic safety rated to 4,800 A/m. Water resistance is 100m.
The deep black dial is purposeful, with the minutes/seconds observe on the inclined flange, three subdials, giant utilized markers and legible arms. The red-tipped hour hand, beforehand seen on Chaykin’s Mars Conqueror Mk3, additionally has a sensible objective: it makes the 12-hour scale of the rotating bezel simpler to make use of when measuring elapsed time. The arms, markers and unidirectional bezel all incorporate luminous materials.
The SC02C is powered by the hand-wound Okay.20-5, based mostly on the historic Poljot 3133 motion. Curiously, the 3133 household succeeded the calibre 3017 (a Venus 150 redesigned by the Soviets), which powered the Strela watch worn in 1965 by Alexei Leonov throughout the first human spacewalk.
The unique motion has been severely modified with 60 parts manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin. The calibre provides a 12-hour chronograph counter and stop-seconds perform, and the stability makes use of micrometric adjustment by weights quite than a traditional index regulator. A damping ring additional protects the motion towards vibration and overloads. The calibre operates at 21,600 vibrations/hour, and affords a 45-hour energy reserve, with communicated accuracy of -15/+15 seconds per day.
The SC02C comes with two black cloth straps, together with an prolonged model designed to suit over a spacesuit. Restricted to twenty-eight items, it represents an uncommon alternative to personal a watch that’s not merely impressed by area exploration however was developed and examined for it. Worth is to be confirmed. For extra, please go to konstantinchaykin.com.
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