The concept of space travel is mysterious, igniting a sense of awe and wonder in all of us. Beyond the beautiful, glittering night sky lies a vast universe beyond our wildest imagination; one many of us fantasize about one day exploring.
But while space exploration remains a distant daydream, Sheffield-based Diatom Watches have released a beautiful new timepiece created from meteorites and materials from the historic Apollo 11 – giving space enthusiasts the unique opportunity to carry a little piece of the universe with them wherever they go.
The launch of Blue Dot – inspired by Carl Sagan’s description of Earth from space as a “pale blue dot” – offers a timeless connection to the cosmos. Blending the wonders of space exploration with the precision of expert watchmaking, the Blue Dot was thoughtfully designed to capture the essence of our humble planet’s place in the vast universe.
In addition to the interstellar materials incorporated into Blue Dot’s classic design, wearers will have the bragging rights of owning a timepiece that has traveled into space. Each watch travels to over 120,000 feet before returning to Earth, carried on a spacecraft equipped with a space-capable camera system that documents the journey. The first batch was sent into space on 18 March 2024 from a dedicated launch site in Sheffield.
Each watch comes with a unique limited edition metal certification card. A QR code takes the owner directly to the Diatom Watch website, where they can view space footage from the very mission their watch embarked on. As Diatom founder Dr. Chris Rose said, “Why tell people about the unique journey your watch went on, when you can show them?”
While the Blue Dot marks Diatom Watches’ first fusion of watchmaking and space materials, it signals the beginning of a broader journey. The brand envisions a collection where each watch embodies different aspects of space exploration and astronomy. As Diatom Watches continues to delve into cosmically inspired design, the Blue Dot serves as a gateway to an expanding universe of innovative timepieces – synonymous with the vast and fascinating universe from which its creations continue to be inspired.
Founded by Dr. Alex Baker and Dr. Chris Rose, whose passion for both precision timekeeping and space exploration led to a groundbreaking discovery in 2015, creates Diatom Watches that transcend conventional timepieces, embodying the wonders of space exploration and the mysteries of the cosmos.