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Passion
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The heart of the mechanical
Earth Module
is the most
precise, automatic high performance mechanical New Old
Stock (NOS) movement. Its counterpart, the
Space Module
,
was developed together with Swedish astronaut Christer
Fuglesang, who also tested it as a member of the Discovery
FACTS & FIGURES
STS-128 mission crew. Cutting edge technology inside the
TECAMAX™ case is driven by a low power consumption
microprocessor for ultimate efficiency, which serves both,
the LCD display and LED backlight, as well as the specific
space functions: the G-Force sensor and the Particle
Counter. A true astronaut’s instrument, exactly 128 Space
Discovery watches have been produced, some of which
are included in the outfit worn by European Space
Association (ESA) astronauts.
The perfect choice for function and design
The interchangeable modules that lie at the heart of the
Halda Concept must be resistant to wear and mechani-
cal damage. The perfect solution was provided, in the
form of BALINIT DLC, by Oerlikon Balzers. Sandström
says: “The Halda and Oerlikon Balzers brands both
stand for precision, innovative engineering and uncom-
promising quality.” BALINIT DLC, developed to enable
engine components such as fuel injection systems, pis-
tons, cylinders and valves to withstand the most extreme
wear conditions and high relative speeds, proved to be
the perfect coating for the Halda housing: “BALINIT DLC
coated housings are scratch resistant, which is of the ut-
most importance to us, as the docking on and off of the
two modules is the core feature of our concept. BALINIT
DLC is moreover precisely the right colour – a crucial
aspect for our design,” says Mikael Sandström.
From the space to the race track
Space was apparently not enough for the engineers at
Halda. Their next challenge was to create the world’s first
genuine racing watch, realized in the form of the ‘Race
Pilot’ – a unique racing instrument co-developed with
race engineers and tested by Formula One driver Marcus
Ericsson. This Halda Concept watch also unites the tra-
ditions of mechanical watchmaking with the advantages
of modern technology, including information from 150
of the world’s most popular racetracks, a race Chrono-
graph, FIA Formula 1 Countdown and much more.
The Space Discovery