Yuri Gagarin – First in Space

About The Entry

“Yuri Gagarin – First in Space” is a limited-edition mechanical self-winding watch commemorating the first human spaceflight on 12 April 1961.

The design transforms the story of Yuri Gagarin’s mission into a functional visual system. At the center of the dial is a vivid blue Earth, surrounded by a rocket-shaped minute hand that completes one full rotation every hour. The image refers to Vostok 1, the spacecraft aboard which Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space. Rather than using the historical theme only as decoration, the watch integrates the idea of orbital motion directly into the way time is displayed.

The minute scale circles the Earth, while a separate hour display is complemented by a red star. The Cyrillic abbreviation “СССР” connects the composition with the historical context of 1961. A domed sapphire crystal is conceived as a spacecraft porthole, adding depth to the dial and creating the impression of viewing Earth from orbit.

The 45 mm case and integrated bracelet are made from high-strength Grade 5 titanium, a material widely used in aerospace engineering. Its strength and relatively low weight support both the technical performance and the conceptual identity of the watch.

The timepiece is powered by the automatic AYW001.1 movement, a complication based on the Miyota 8215 and fitted with a custom rotor. A transparent sapphire case back reveals the movement in operation. Water resistance is rated at 10 ATM.

The project was developed with the support of the Roscosmos State Corporation, and the design team consulted with the family of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin during its development.

The edition is limited to 130 individually numbered pieces, produced in steel-toned and black versions. The result is a watch in which history, mechanics, materials and visual storytelling form one coherent design concept.

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