This Star Trek-Inspired Watch Resembles A Space Station

Mobile phones have largely superseded watches from a practical standpoint, but when it comes to the raw beauty of the mechanical, the old wrist-mounted chronometer is unbeatable. I mean, one look at Vianney Halter’s Deep Space Tourbillon (pictured here) and how can you not go weak at the legs?

While largely for aesthetic purposes these days, the tourbillion, which can be seen in the centre of the watch, was originally conceived in an attempt to improve accuracy by combating the effects of gravity. In designer Vianney Halter’s case, it served as the perfect manifestation of the Deep Space Nine space station, from the Star Trek series of the same name. According to A Blog To Watch, Halter is a “science fiction junkie”, with a particular fondness for Gene Roddenberry’s franchise.

The resemblance isn’t immediately apparent, but when you zoom in (right) it’s easier to see.

The protective dome is made from sapphire crystal, while the case and most of the insides are titanium. As for the functioning of the tourbillion itself, I’ll leave it to A Blog To Watch’s Ariel Adams to explain:

The spinning tourbillon in the center is the first axis point. Next, the entire tourbillon shaft spins around on its axis, providing the second axis. This spins once each six minutes. Last, the entire mechanism spins horizontally in the middle of the case each 30 minutes offering the third axis point. While only the initial tourbillon cage spins with appreciable speed, the entire movement is technically a triple axis tourbillon.

It’s all cool, yes, but how does one actually tell the time? Apparently the two differently-size blue hands reflect the minute and hour, but I’ll be damned if I can work it out. Beside, I’m more than happy just to stare at the thing.

If you’d like to see it in motion, the clip below shall provide.

[A Blog To Watch]