by Kyle Stults on March 30, 2010
A Next Generation Watch + Instrument for Space Travel…
In August of 2009 I introduced you to the new Sweden-based watch brand Halda Watch Co. (How High Will Halda Fly? New Brand Launches, 08/25/09). As I indicated at the time, Halda was a brand to keep an eye on. And it still is. While Halda is at the moment only a “one-watch” story, it has incorporated several elements into its core philosophy that I think bode well for its success – that is, the use of high technology and materials, innovative design, and most importantly a unique modular “watch + instrument” combination.
At Baselworld 2010, Halda Watch officially unveiled its first creation – the Halda Space Discovery watch. Actually the Halda Space Discovery watch is more than just a watch – it is a combination of a watch and a space instrument, or “module” as Halda calls it. You may be thinking that Halda’s approach is somewhat similar to the now uber-hot watch + instrument maker Linde Werdelin, and if so I would tend to agree with you, though as they say “so close, yet so far away” and there are some rather distinct differences in the “watch + instrument” philosophy of each of these two exciting brands. I’ll talk about this more in a moment, but first let’s take a closer look at the Halda Space Discovery watch.
The Docking System
At its core, the Halda Space Discovery is built around what it calls the Halda “Docking System”, a platform that accommodates two interchangeable modules ‐ one, an advanced electronic “Space Module” and two, a “Mechanical Module”. Basically, the “Docking System” is an empty stainless steel watch case with a patent-pending triple-lock system for the modules. The bracelet is also stainless steel. As the following pictures demonstrate, one module can be swapped out for the other at the wearer’s will. Note that this differs from Linde Werdelin’s approach which is to use a “clip-on” instrument that goes on-top of and in addition to the mechanical watch (certainly a “bulkier” but perhaps no less desirous an approach). Here’s a closer look at the Halda “Docking System”:
Docking “In Process”
Space Module, Fully Docked (Time Module on the sidelines)
The Space Module
The digital Space Module is very much designed for space use. To be candid, that’s about all it is valid for. That is, unless you can tell me who besides an astronuat might have a need for a G-Force counter (aka a 3‐axis accelerometer), a “Mission Time” countdown function based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Countdown 101, UTC (24 hour) and MET (Mission Elapsed Time), event log, alarms, dual time and chronograph functions 
Actually some of these functions would come in handy on Earth, but obviously this module is loaded for a true astronaut.
The case of the Space Module is made of TECAMAX, a new material certified by NASA and proven to meet tough requirements for durability and precision. It is also extraordinarily light, strong, and temperature and corrosion resistant – all important attributes for space use. The Space Module is fitted with a sapphire crystal – unless you do actually plan to take the watch to space, in which case Halda will replace your sapphire with Hesalite crystal — a preferred choice of space watches because the material will not shatter into small pieces upon breaking like a sapphire crystal would.
The Mechanical Module
The Mechanical Module is a very simple timekeeper + date function. More exciting to me is its movement – a high performance New Old Stock (NOS) movement, manufactured by the watchmaker Svend Andersen, a renowned independent watchmaker and co-founder of the AHCI, a prestigious organization of indepdendent watchmakers (his story is wonderfully captured in this book, if you want to learn more). Curiously enough, Svend Andersen also collaborates with Linde Werdelin for some of its movements (like this one, for example), but I would guess that this is probably just a mere coincidence. After all, Svend Andersen is very good at what he does so why not work with him if you can? Halda’s “H1920‐SA” movement by Svend Andersen operates at the unusual and high frequency of 5 HZ, or 36,000 bph (beats per hour), and here is what it looks like:
And that about sums up the Halda Space Discovery watch! In closing, I’ll say that while I have not been able to see the watch in person, I am very impressed and excited at what Halda has come up with as for its first product. I like Halda’s modular, instrument based approach and I think there is potential to move beyond just the Space Module, which after all is not of much use to most of us gravity-bound folks. But like Linde Werdelin already does, perhaps an instrument for skiing or diving could prove quite popular. I will keep you posted as I obtain more insight into the brands future ambitions. You can also check out more details on Halda’s neat website if you want to read more.
Finally, I will note that only 128 individually numbered watches will be produced, and almost half of them are already reserved so you better get yours ordered soon if you want one! Price is 8,000 EUR (about $10,800) with an expected delivery time of 3-4 months. You can select a specific serial # (17 /128 is now the lowest available). A special note to all of you who may be planning to take a trip on Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic in 2011 or beyond — I am in particular recommending this watch for you. All who are interested may may contact Mikael Sandström, CEO Halda Watches Co. — sandstrom@haldasweden.com — and he will assist you in securing your very own Halda Space Discovery watch and space instrument.
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