For all those old enough like me who reminisce about their childhood gadgets back in the 1980s, very few know that a now bankrupt but eternally controversial watch brand released the Romain Jerome Spacecraft watch back in 2013 with a limited edition of 99 pieces.

The Spacecraft was meant to reference the retro futurism spaceships of that period with its stunning case shape and eye catching styling. Think battlestar Gallactica, Star Wars and the like. The Spacecraft really is from another watch world.

The movement is a very unique lateral jumping hours which is also a retrograde. This is unprecedented as the hour jump along the ‘screen’ until it reaches 12 and then retrogrades back to 1, instantly ready for the next 12 hours! It’s brilliant isn’t it? Again, this has many 1980s references from the red cursor gadgets such as digital alarm clocks and VCRs of that time, through to TV shows such as the iconic and much loved Knight Rider.

The mechanical movement features a unique lever that jumps along the sapphire glass, again some may see the parallels here with the older style manual typewriters that had a manual lever that ‘jumped’ out to stamp the paper with ink.

The movement was designed by the much respected Agenhor who have designed movements for MB&F, Faberge and Harry Winston in the past. The case was developed by the famed Eric Giroud. It was at the time ( and even now) a very different watch for Romain Jerome who were more known for their often unpopular Titanic DNA range of watches.

Obviously, the Romain Jerome Spacecraft is a very niche product and won’t appeal to many, but for those that want something rather different, are Star Wars lovers and look back fondly at the 80s, this might be just the watch for them.