New Release
SJX reports on the launch of the Fiyta Spacemaster mechanical chronograph, a significant timepiece as the first watch worn in a spacewalk by a Chinese Taikonaut. This article details the watch's unique features, its two limited editions, and the national pride surrounding China's space missions.
Earlier today, Shenzhen Fiyta Holdings Ltd, a watch retailer and manufacturer listed on the Shenzhen and Hong Kong exchanges, launched the Fiyta Spacemaster mechanical chronograph in Singapore in collaboration with Red Army Watches, a Singapore-based retailer of mainly Russian timepieces.
The Spacemaster was worn by Zhai Zhigang on 29 September 2008 on the first spacewalk by a Chinese astronaut. Fiyta has also developed watches for two earlier manned space missions by Chinese taikonauts, having worked with the Astronaut Centre of China since 2003.
There are two versions of the Spacemaster, one is a 699 piece limited edition, the other is a 53 pieces limited edition, 3 units of which were issued and worn by the Taikonauts. Both versions have identical specifications as shown in the photo below, with the exception of:
What is notable about both editions is the usual date display has been replaced by an AM/PM display to indicate time on earth. Also, the chronograph is marked at 30 and 45 minutes at the request of the Astronaut Centre, as Taikonauts are typically required to complete certain tasks in either 30 or 45 minutes. And to prevent accidental release of the crown, it is screwed down counter-clockwise instead of the conventional clockwise direction. Lastly, the watch has an 8 hour rotating bezel as the survival period inside the Chinese Feitian EVA spacesuit is 8 hours.
I examined the 699 limited edition briefly during the launch and I was impressed. The case work is especially good and entirely appropriate for a watch in this price range (retail is approximately USD2000). Fiyta notes in its press release that the movement inside is proprietary, but in the catalogue there is a picture of a Valjoux 7754; I believe Fiyta manufactures the movement itself based on the Valjoux design, I will confirm this. I've been told that this watch has been selling very well, especially in Greater China. I would expect that to be the case, given the accessible price point and the nationalist pride surrounding the Chinese space missions, 699 and 50 pieces are few given the number of Chinese peope.
Here is a short pictorial report of the launch event.
Managing Director of Red Army Watches, Fiyta's retail partner, Sugiharto Kusimadi making the opening speech
Sugi with the Spacemaster
Bruce Du, General Manager of Fiyta
The watch pictured below is the 699 piece LE
Timmy Tan of TimeWerke magazine with Sugi
Some images of the Fiyta production facilities.
alas my mind was wandering to the problem in my family. The watch is thick and bulky, and overall look is ok. But somehow I feel the printing on the dial is not so nice, and the price is not so 'friendly'. Will definitely take a second look. cen@jkt
i believe previous Fitya models were quartz so its nice to see that they've made a nice manual wind model. looks good, but i shouldnt think there's much chance of me getting one in UK. thanks JX for bringing it to our attention. Graham
I have the opportunity to hold and examine both LE699 and LE53 Fiyta spacemaster. It is indeed an encouraging move but not a quantum leap by the Chinese watchmakers to produce those watches. In fact, I found that the case work is rough and there are plenty aspects for improvement. For example, the rotating bazel is not smooth; the curve edge of the bazel is rough; the main case is "raw" and the edge of the buckle is sharp. For an astronaut, these details may not be important. However, for a laym
From my brief examination of the watch, the best part of the case was the side and tops of the case. The rear and bottom of the case was not well finished. The bezel was decently finished but not as good as it can be. I don't recall the buckle. As I wrote in my main post, it is highly likely the movement is a Valjoux 7754. The patent on that has expired so anyone can manufacture it legally. - SJX
SJX, Thank you for this response to Ling's observation and for "keeping it real". Your original post was a tad more enthusiastic than the watch justifies, by a PuristS measuring stick. You wrote: "I examined the 699 limited edition briefly during the launch and I was impressed . The case work is especially good and entirely appropriate for a watch in this price range...." I know YOUR standards are higher than that! Bottom line: NIce enough for a Chinese watch at this price point.......and I am g
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