Mechanical watches have accompanied astronauts and cosmonauts into space for decades, but few contemporary watches can claim to have been developed specifically around the demands of extravehicular activity, like Konstantin Chaykin’s new SC02C. Born from the manufacturer’s collaboration with Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, the chronograph has been tested during four spacewalks and is now launched as a limited civilian edition. The project began in 2018 with the manufacture of a mechanical chronograph for use outside the orbital station. The resulting Space Conqueror prototypes were tested aboard the ISS, also during spacewalks, and the results were used to refine the construction. The latest generation watches accompanied the cosmonauts during a spacewalk of more than 6 hours on May 27, 2026. The SC02C has been adapted for daily use while retaining the solutions developed for professionals. At 44mm in diameter and 14.5mm thick, the SC02C stainless steel case features a unidirectional bezel and is unmistakably an instrument. Two polished, rounded, rectangular chronograph pushers flank a large fluted crown. The solid caseback, engraved with the theme and secured with 10 screws, provides additional protection to the movement. The sapphire crystal uses an inverted “dovetail” construction, with its beveled edge designed to prevent the crystal from being ejected under pressure changes or extreme loads. Before being used in space, the watches were subjected to centrifuge, vibration, temperature and impact tests. The SC02C enclosure is designed to withstand vacuum conditions up to 1 × 10-6 atmospheres and incorporates antimagnetic protection rated at 4800 A/m. Water resistance is 100 m. The deep black dial is functional, with the minute/seconds track on the slanted flange, three subdials, large applied markers and legible hands. The red-tipped hour hand, previously seen on Chaykin’s Mars Conqueror Mk3, also serves a practical purpose: it makes the rotating bezel’s 12-hour scale easier to use when measuring elapsed time. The hands, markers and unidirectional bezel incorporate luminous material. The SC02C is powered by the manually wound K.20-5, based on the historic Poljot 3133 movement. Interestingly, the 3133 family succeeded the caliber 3017 (a Venus 150 redesigned by the Soviets), which powered the Strela watch worn in 1965 by Alexei Leonov during the first human spacewalk. The original movement has been seriously modified with 60 components manufactured by Konstantin Chaykin. The caliber adds a 12-hour chronograph counter and stop-seconds function, and the balance uses micrometric adjustment by weights instead of a conventional index regulator. A shock-absorbing ring further protects the movement against vibrations and overloads. The caliber operates at 21,600 vibrations/hour and offers a power reserve of 45 hours, with a reported accuracy of -15/+15 seconds per day. The SC02C comes with two black fabric straps, including an extended version designed to fit over a spacesuit. Limited to 28 pieces, it represents a rare opportunity to own a watch that is not simply inspired by space exploration, but has been developed and tested for it. The price is to be confirmed. For more information, visit konstantinchaykin.com. https://monochrome-watches.com/the-new-space-tested-sc02c-a-mechanical-chronograph-by-konstantin-chaykin/
