Gravithin’s Galileo-inspired Focuscope democratises the meteorite dial
Mitchell BarberIn 1609, a middle-aged dreamer named Galileo Galilei invented something that would change the course of history forever: the telescope. This device gave humankind the ability to see further than was possible with what god gave us. Although 3x magnification is far from impressive by today’s standards, Galilei’s innovation kickstarted the exploration of a world that had been out of reach for the entirety of human history proceeding it.
Fast forward a breezy 414 years, and Gravithin, the brand that won an iF Design award for their Argo series, has created a watch that was inspired by Galilei and his invention, not only in design but in material use too. Mr Galilei would be amazed at how far we’ve come – and we’re amazed at how good of a value proposition this meteorite-dialled watch is.
The dial
The Gravithin Focuscope blends copper, steel and meteorite in five distinct layers to make up its complex dial. Moving from the periphery to the middle, the dial is stepped down and finished with a mixture of brushed, polished and sandblasted surfaces. All of these details create a sense of depth and interest in the dial. I can see the telescopic inspiration playing out nicely here.
Smack bang in the centre is an actual piece of meteor – something Galilei may have seen through his first telescope (although with only three times magnification I highly doubt it – he probably had trouble seeing his hand in front of his face…) In any case, having a piece of meteorite in your watch is pretty special. Meteorite dials are typically the reserve of five or six-figure watches, so this is a very exciting dial.
Taking care of illumination is six layers of Super-LumiNova BGW9 coating the hands and adorning the underside of the crystal. You might have to cover this one up if you’re going stargazing, as it’s very bright!
The Gravithin Focuscope is available in three different dial colours: Cosmo Red, Cosmo Blue and Cosmo Silver, with the first two coming with a black sandblasted case and the third with a gunmetal case. Speaking of the case…
The case
The 40mm case of the Focuscope is a modest 11.2mm thick. That, and the almost non-existent lugs make it a sleek proposition. Add to that the completely sandblasted finish in either silver or gunmetal grey and the 316L steel case has a look you don’t see every day.
The side profile incorporates machined rings that wrap around the entirety of the case, mimicking the layers of the dial and once again emphasising its telescopic inspiration. It’s as if they have squashed a modern telescope from base to tip, creating grooves where it’s folded in on itself. Very cool.
The bracelet
With a single link bracelet attached almost directly to the case, it has a clean 70s-inspired look: think the Girard-Perregaux Casquette or a DeLorean DMC-12. It’s sandblasted in line with the case and is nice and smooth. There isn’t going to be any hair-pinching for any woolly-armed readers, that’s for sure. The Gravithin Focuscope is also available with a full-grain Italian leather strap with quick-release spring bars.
The movement
Tucked in behind a sapphire case back and powering the Focuscope is a Miyota 9039 – a sensible choice given its reliability and performance characteristics. At just 3.9mm thick, it’s pretty impressive for an automatic calibre and it fits the brief well, allowing the case to be as slim as possible. The hacking seconds mechanism and 42 hours of power reserve ensure that your Focuscope runs smoothly and is accurate well into your night of stargazing.
Gravithin Focuscope pricing & availability
The Gravithin Focuscope is available now for pre-order on the Gravithin website, with deliveries scheduled for June 2024. Gravithin are running a limited-time pre-order promotion which offers a €150 discount, as well as an extra grey leather strap and free worldwide shipping. Price: €549 (€399 with pre-order promo).
| Brand | Gravithin |
| Model | Focuscope |
| Case Dimensions | 40 mm (D) x 11.2 mm (T) x 47.2 (L2L) |
| Case Material | Sandblasted 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Layered copper, steel and Muonionalusta meteorite; dial ring in red, blue or silver |
| Bracelet | Steel bandoleer-style bracelet with butterfly clasp or full-grain Italian leather strap with quick-release |
| Movement | Miyota 9039, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Available now for preorders, delivery scheduled for June 2024 |
| Price | €549 |