SpaceOne Orange Carbon Jumping Hour Review
Let’s face it, there are a lot of microbrands out there. Some stick to vintage cues and nostalgia, some lean on bold colors or unusual case materials, and some just try to out-price the big names by offering decent specs at rock-bottom prices. But every once in a while, a brand comes along that seems to actually be doing something new. Enter SpaceOne, a young independent brand blending futuristic design with mechanical innovation in a way that feels authentic, not gimmicky.
Their Jumping Hour model, including this limited Orange Carbon edition, is a standout example of what happens when great design and clever engineering intersect. If you’re a collector who’s ever lusted after a wildly complicated watch but couldn’t stomach the price tag or the wait list, this one’s going to pique your interest.
Before we get into specs and finishing, let’s talk philosophy. SpaceOne’s approach seems to be rooted in two very modern watchmaking principles: accessibility and imagination. The high-end complications we see from brands like MB&F or Urwerk are often praised for their otherworldly aesthetics and movement engineering. But, they’re totally out of reach for the average collector.
SpaceOne bridges that gap. This isn’t just a “lookalike” brand or a clone of something unattainable. It’s a brand with its own voice, offering high-concept, high-complication design with realistic pricing and legitimate mechanical credibility. That’s no small feat.
The Orange Carbon Jumping Hour looks like it was pulled from the dashboard of a spaceship. If someone told you this watch was part of the Star Trek costume department, you probably wouldn’t question them. And that is not meant to be a criticism. The watch wears its sci-fi influence proudly, but it also manages to feel cohesive and interesting.
The case has an organic design. From the side, the profile almost looks like a concept supercar or some sort of airplane. Everything in the design looks intentional, especially the crown. In fact, the crown’s positioning and shape evoke a miniature rocket thruster, which surely was on purpose.
And then there’s the material. Carbon is one of those things that either looks amazing or out of place. There really is no in between. In this case, it’s the former. The matte, slightly marbled finish enhances the sci-fi aesthetic without being too much. More importantly, it makes this large case feel incredibly wearable. The weight savings here are noticeable and welcome, especially with how big this watch is.
Calling the Jumping Hour’s front-facing layout a “dial” might not quite capture what’s going on here. What you get instead is a compact time display aperture, framed by a wide, sculpted sapphire crystal that blends seamlessly into the case. The overall effect is sleek, modern, and minimal.
To the left of the hours and minutes, it is almost unnoticeable as it spins. It adds a little bit of movement to an otherwise pretty static watch (except for when the hour turns over, of course). I appreciate this detail quite a bit. There has been a lot of new jump hour watches released in recent months, and the one thing I always notice is how static the dial is. Even though these watches are automatic, there is no movement you would typically associate with mechanical watches. That doesn’t seem right on such a futuristic watch like the SpaceOne Jumping Hour. So the moving seconds is a nice touch, even if it is almost unnoticeable.
Now let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Complicated movements are typically the realm of big maisons with deep pockets. Think years of development, specialized tooling, and millions in R&D. So how did SpaceOne pull this off?
Well, they use a module. At its core, the Jumping Hour is powered by a reliable automatic Soprod movement with a 38-hour power reserve and all the dependability you’d expect from a Swiss movement. But the real magic comes from an added module, developed in collaboration with independent watchmaker Theo Auffret, one of the co-founders of SpaceOne.
This modular approach does two things. First, it keeps costs down without sacrificing creativity. Second, it allows the brand to deliver a crisp, satisfying jump hour complication that feels high-end and mechanical. Each hour ticks over with a clean snap, and the minutes glide along smoothly, creating a user experience that feels far more expensive than the price tag suggests.
And that’s the real story here: SpaceOne is using smart engineering to give enthusiasts a chance to own real complications, not gimmicks, without needing to sell a kidney.
Out of the box, the watch comes on a fabric strap that suits the overall utilitarian feel. It’s comfortable, durable, and minimalist. It isn’t anything over the top. But it fits the futuristic, sci-fi theme of the watch pretty well.
But if you’re a serial strap swapper (like me), you’ll appreciate the option to go further. SpaceOne partnered with Delugs to offer custom CTS rubber straps, which you can spec when ordering. It’s a smart collab. Delugs knows straps, and this case shape definitely benefits from a tailored fit. Whether you want something a bit dressier or more rugged, the options are there.
Let’s talk wearability. At first glance, you might assume the Jumping Hour wears large, and visually, it does. But on the wrist, thanks to its carbon construction and ergonomic case design, it’s shockingly comfortable.
The fact that the watch is larger in diameter, as opposed to lug-to-lug, make this much more wearable than you might expect from its size. But, let’s be honest. It’s a big watch. If you’re used to traditional 40mm dress watches, this will feel like a step into a different universe. But if you’re comfortable with chunkier pieces or modern sports watches, this is still definitely wearable. And for those wondering, my wrist is a fairly standard 6.75 inches.
But, most importantly, when it’s on the wrist, it’s a conversation starter. People will ask about it. And for collectors who like their watches to tell a story, that’s a big plus.
The SpaceOne Orange Carbon Jumping Hour is what modern independent watchmaking should look like. It doesn’t try to replicate vintage hits or ape the design cues of luxury staples. Instead, it carves out its own identity. It’s bold, confident, and is definitely original.
What stands out most is how intentional this watch is. Every design choice, every technical decision, every material, none of it feels like filler. The result is a piece that’s not just different for the sake of being different, but different because it means something.
At €2,300 (around $2,400 USD), this watch delivers complication, conversation, and charisma in equal measure. The only catch? This particular carbon and orange variant is limited to just 25 pieces. So if you want one, don’t hesitate.
You can learn more about the SpaceOne Jumping hour at their website.
