Whether it’s deciding what coffee to order, choosing a mobile network or picking out a new watch, we live in a world of near infinite choices. However, once in a while, you come across something so special that the decision becomes blindingly obvious. We’re talking, of course, about meteorite watches: timepieces that offer not just craftsmanship but a tangible link to the wonder of the cosmos.
What Is a Meteorite Watch?
A meteorite watch is exactly what it says on the tin: a timepiece incorporating real fragments of space rock. More specifically, these watches contain dials that are made from slices of iron-nickel meteorites that have travelled millions of miles through the universe before making it to Earth.
The real magic lies in iron meteorite’s inimitable Widmanstätten patterns. These mesmerising geometric structures are formed naturally over millions of years as a meteorite cools in the vacuum of space. Just as every snowflake is unique due to minute temperature fluctuations during the crystalisation process, so is each and every piece of meteorite. This means that no two meteorite dials are alike, with each being a one-of-a-kind insight into a journey through the early universe.
What Makes Meteorites So Special?
The meteorite used in watches isn’t just any old space rock. It’s often a fragment of a long-lost asteroid or planet shattered in a cosmic collision and sent drifting through space. Iron meteorites in particular are incredibly rare, and they make up only a small percentage of all extraterrestrial rocks found on Earth. Speaking of our planet, these primordial rocks were formed long before the pale blue dot we call home even existed
How Is a Meteorite Dial Made?
Turning a space rock into a functioning dial is no small task. The process begins by slicing the meteorite into thin sheets using diamond-tipped tools, a task that involves its fair share of risk. Internal stresses can cause fractures that would render a dial unusable, while the natural grain of the material does its level best to resist being cut cleanly. Once the dial has been successfully sliced, polished and etched, it’s sealed and treated to prevent oxidation before being incorporated into the final watch.
Why Are Meteorite Watches So Captivating?
Put simply, because they make time feel bigger. A regular watch is great at telling you it’s 3:45pm on a Wednesday, but a meteorite timepiece also reminds you that those seconds ticking on your wrist are part of a much larger story. Here, the cosmic scale collapses into something deeply personal as you begin to author your very own chapter of the space rock’s billion year history.
Are Meteorite Watches Durable?
Meteorite dials are actually stronger than they appear. Their iron-nickel composition gives them excellent structural integrity, and protective coatings applied by watchmakers ensure their long-term durability. Care is still warranted though, but not because these timepiece components are weak. It’s because they are irreplaceable.
Why Are Meteorite Watches More Relevant Than Ever?
In a world of disposable tech and fast fashion, people crave objects with provenance and permanence. Meteorite watches deliver exactly that, a fusion of rarity, science and soul. They’re not about keeping up with trends. Far from it, in fact. They’re about slowing down, looking up and contemplating your place within the history of the universe.