R.O.1 space® gold
- Case
- Carbon fibre
- Bezel
- Rose gold / white gold
- Pushers and crown
- Rose gold / white gold
€ 30,900,-
Mission file · PromISSe · ISS
R.O.1 space®
The first Dutch watch in space. Two pieces, 193 days on the wrist of ESA astronaut André Kuipers.
T-0 — scroll for the report
The R.O.1 space® is no ordinary watch. It is an instrument that has proven its worth in the most extreme environment imaginable: space.
193
days in space
On the wrist of astronaut André Kuipers during the PromISSe mission
128+
million kilometres
Travelled around Earth at a speed of 28,000 km/h
Precision
The movement
In spaceflight, precision is not a luxury — it is vital
The beating heart of the R.O.1 space® is the renowned Valjoux 7750. This calibre is modified in R.O. Watches’ own atelier to meet strict chronometer standards.
Of course, this mechanical precision work is protected by the patented R.O. Watches Shock-System®.
Carbon fibre
The weight
During a launch, every gram counts
That is why the case of the R.O.1 space® is made from high-tech carbon fibre. This material combines extreme lightness with unmatched strength and stability under large temperature swings.
This material choice brought the weight down from 140 to just 72 grams, without sacrificing robustness or reliability.
140 gtraditional case
72 gcarbon fibre
Patented
The Shock-System®
The ultimate guarantee of shock resistance
Launches and landings unleash immense vibrations and G-forces. To protect the delicate movement against this violence, the R.O.1 space® is equipped with Roland Oostwegel’s worldwide patented shock system.
It offers the ultimate guarantee of shock resistance; better protection for a mechanical movement does not currently exist.
Personalisation
Your own design
Your signature in space
Although developed for space, every R.O.1 space® can be tuned to your personal aesthetic.
You can choose from various dials, ranging from deep anthracite to bright silver-white, combined with hands in different colourways. The day and date display can also be customised in language (NL, DE, EN) and colour.
This way you create a unique instrument that carries your signature.
General specifications
- Diameter
- 44 mm
- Water resistance
- 5 ATM
53
Limited and unlimited variants
Of the limited editions (gold, ceramic, steel and titanium) with a carbon fibre case, only 53 pieces per variant were made. The unlimited variants (black and white) have a steel or steel PVD case.
The number 53 is a tribute to André Kuipers, who was that age during his historic mission.
Choose your variant
R.O.1 space® ceramic
- Case
- Carbon fibre
- Bezel
- Black ceramic
- Pushers and crown
- Steel DLC
€ 13,350,-
R.O.1 space® titanium
- Case
- Carbon fibre
- Bezel
- Titanium
- Pushers and crown
- Brushed steel
€ 11,700,-
R.O.1 space® steel
- Case
- Carbon fibre
- Bezel
- Steel
- Pushers and crown
- Polished steel
€ 9,950,-
R.O.1 space® steel
- Case
- Steel or steel PVD
- Bezel
- Steel
- Pushers and crown
- Polished steel
Steel€ 5,750,-
Steel PVD€ 6,650,-
R.O.1 space® white
- Case
- Steel or steel PVD
- Bezel
- White steel
- Pushers and crown
- Polished steel
Steel€ 5,750,-
Steel PVD€ 6,650,-
R.O.1 space® booklet
The full story of the mission, technical details and photos of the historic space journey.
Astronaut André Kuipers
Experiences of André Kuipers
Two R.O.1 space® watches accompanied André Kuipers on his mission to the International Space Station. This is his story.
In space
During the space journey
On the International Space Station (ISS), time is more than a given; it is a crucial instrument. During my daily work, the R.O.1 space® quickly became indispensable. The Orbit-Time counter proved its value time and again, so I knew to the second when a new orbit around Earth began.
At the same time, the Mission-Time counter gave me an instant overview of the total duration of my mission; days and weeks slipped by on the dial.
Living in weightlessness brings unique challenges. Because floating meant I moved my arms less intensively than on Earth, I occasionally had to wind the watches by hand. A moment of interaction between human and mechanism.
The ultimate test
The true character of the R.O.1 space® showed itself during an emergency. When we received a warning of approaching space debris, we had to take our seats in the Soyuz capsule as a precaution.
While the digital displays of our official mission watches sometimes faltered due to radiation, the analogue perfection of my R.O.1 space® kept ticking undisturbed.
“It was self-evident for me to take these along.”
The return
The ultimate trial by fire
The return to Earth was the ultimate trial by fire. The brutal deceleration from 28,000 km/h to 900 km/h, G-forces up to 6G and unimaginable vibrations are an assault on both people and materials.
It is an experience you would not wish on anyone, but both I and the watches came through this ordeal with flying colours.
28,000
km/h at the start
6G
G-forces
900
km/h at landing
Highlights
Mission highlights
Special moments of the R.O.1 space® in space
Weightless on the ISS
The R.O.1 space® floating in the International Space Station
The signing ceremony
The first Dutch watch in space is officially certified
6 October 2012
After the space journey
On 6 October 2012 I visited Roland’s atelier in Heerlen for a special moment: the Post Mission Inspection. Together we thoroughly analysed the two watches and signed the certificates of these unique “Special Editions”.
The results were nothing short of astonishing. Even after the extreme conditions in space, the movements performed better than many unused top watches.
Post Mission Inspection · results
- Amplitude
- 303°
- Daily deviation
- +2 seconds
- Beat error
- 0.1 ms
Technical perfection, proven in the cosmos.
The future of the space watches
I am often asked what will happen to these space watches now. One thing is certain: they will not go to the highest bidder. For now they remain in our possession.
Roland and I will brainstorm about the future at our leisure, but above all we enjoy the fact that together we have written a unique chapter of Dutch watchmaking history.
Discover the R.O.1 space®
A watch that has proven its worth in space. Designed for extremes, personalised for you.