Barrelhand Monolith: First Mechanical Watch Designed for Space

Barrelhand, a California-based company founded by mechanical engineer and former NASA systems designer Karel Bachand, has launched the Monolith, a mechanical wristwatch specifically engineered for use in space. Priced at $9,750 and shipping later in 2026, the Monolith took six years to develop. Its case is 3D-printed in a modified aluminum alloy, weighs only 31 grams, and meets ISO aerospace standards, NASA materials guidance, and EVA/spacewalk testing protocols. The watch addresses extreme temperature variations from -246°C to +120°C through hollow air pockets in the case and compatible materials that allow parts to expand and contract. The movement is mounted on a shock-absorption system capable of withstanding 3,000 Gs, and the watch is assembled without glues using Torx screws accessible with ISS tool sets. The Monolith has already been worn on a Blue Origin mission, and Barrelhand is working to get it onto the ISS for third-party testing. Bachand criticizes the watch industry for not designing mechanical watches for space, noting that established brands like Omega dominate with heritage models rather than purpose-built tools. The watch's name references 2001: A Space Odyssey, and its indices proportionally match the monolith from the film. Each case-back contains a holographic disc with samples from 1,000 years of human culture. The design is open-source, inviting input from space agencies and private companies.