This ultra rare Swiss timepiece pays tribute to Captain Kirk and boasts serious mechanical engineering underneath

Swiss watchmaker Hautlence has unveiled its new Retrovision ’64 watch, and it comes with a large helping of nostalgia for fans of 1960s science fiction and big-time Trekkies. 

The high-end watchmaker launched in Neuchâtel in 2004 with ambitious plans to ‘reinvent the way we tell time.’ 

Its watches are as bold as they are impressive, combining unique designs with innovative mechanical engineering. 

And its latest offering is a sci-fi lover’s dream that wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of Captain Kirk. 

The Hautlence Retrovision ’64 brings seriously retro sci-fi vibes

Hautlence explains that its Retrovision ‘64 vision is ‘inspired by the design of a famous communication device featured in a cult science-fiction series’. 

And a quick glance confirms that the device in question is the Communicator from Star Trek. 

The Swiss watchmaker has boldly gone where no watchmaker has gone before and emulated the signature cover and perforated grille of the Communicator for the piece.

Much like in Star Trek, the cover lifts up, but whereas Captain Kirk and his crew used it to communicate, flipping up the cover on the Retrovision ‘64 reveals the workings of the watch. 

“The result is fun, nostalgic, and unmistakably mechanical,” Hautlence said. 

The case, crown, and lugs are crafted from grade 5 titanium with copper and brown physical vapor deposition coating, and a black rubber strap. 

While the watch itself may be a tribute to science fiction shows of the past, the mechanism powering it is bang up to date.

It features a linear retrograde jumping hour and one-minute flying tourbillon and is made from more than 230 components and 39 jewels. 

The back of the watch has a clear sapphire case, which showcases the D50 mechanical movement in action.

The Swiss timepiece is being made in a very limited run, and it doesn’t come cheap

The Retrovision ‘64 is the third in a series, following on from the vintage radio-inspired Retrovision ’47 and the robot-themed Retrovision ‘85. 

To keep the watch as exclusive as it is cool, Hautlence will be creating just three of the timepieces. 

So, Trekkies wanting to add it to their watch collection should form an orderly queue. 

However, if you do fancy living out your best Star Trek USS Enterprise dreams with your very own Communicator, then you’ll need deep pockets, as the watches come with a $165,000 price tag.