12 BEST Meteorite Dial Watches (Out of This World, Literally!)

The firmament has enthralled humans since time immemorial, but space travel has remained largely inaccessible to most. In 2021 Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company, sold 90-minute rides to suborbital space for about $450,000 per seat.

Axiom Space, another company that offers human spaceflight services to individuals and groups, was also marketing a 10-day trip to Space for $55 million at that time. The figures show how much space exploration has been reserved for the elite few.

But what if you could still have something truly out of this world without spending half a million dollars? What if you could own an extraterrestrial piece from a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid?

Introducing meteorite dial watches, the perfect amalgamation of time and space! Coming from cosmic rocks that survived a journey of hundreds of miles through the atmosphere to get to the Earth’s surface, meteorites are debris from asteroids or even exploding planets.

Here we take a look at the best watches equipped with superbly inviting meteorite dials.

About Meteorite Dial Watches

Meteorites are both astrological and mystifying. These unusual celestial materials have been used to make jewelry for decades. In 1922, a team of Egyptian excavators (led by Howard Carter) found meteorites among the objects retrieved from the tomb of Tutankhamun. 

In the watch industry, however, its use is a recent occurrence. It’s not certain which meteorite watch was the very first, but in 1986, Corum unveiled a timepiece with a meteorite dial. The meteorite used was one discovered by  Robert E. Peary (a famous explorer) in Greenland, and the watch was called the ‘Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Meteorite Dual Time watch‘. 

Rolex is another brand that has used slices of meteorites to make elegant dials for decades within the Daytona and the Day-Date collection. Nevertheless, with the advent of the 21st century, many high-end brands began to unveil meteorite dials intermittently. 

Each meteorite is literally out of this world, and the dials with them feature a naturally occurring configuration that cannot be replicated synthetically. Apart from their rarity within the horological world, they became famous for their mesmerizing appearance due to prominent Widmanstätten structures.

The striations and patterns are highlighted after the slice of meteorite to be used for the dial has been cleaned, polished, and ‘etched’ with an acid (often nitric acid). These are called Widmanstätten patterns after Beckh Widmanstätten, who was director of the Imperial Porcelain Works at Vienna in 1808.

It was he who discovered that heating iron meteorites influences their natural luster and reveals a fine interleaving of long nickel–iron crystals that are both dramatic and distinctive.

Should You Buy A Meteorite Dial Watch?

Mysterious and architectural, meteorite watches tell a compelling story that will make a difference to the wearer anytime, any day. From outer space to planet Earth and then to watch’s face, these space rocks travel billions of miles across the universe to get to a timepiece. That said, why would anyone desire anything less?

Not only do you get a chance to own a piece of the molten planetary core that has existed for billions of years, but you also get to hold a fingerprint of the universe in your hands. I say this because each meteorite dial is unique. So no two meteorite watches produced will ever appear the same.

Collectors who view their passion for obtaining rare timepieces as a convergence of time and space would find these space-material watches particularly satisfying.

Many meteorite timepieces are elegant conservative dress watches and make a great ‘tuxedo timepiece’ for formal occasions. However, some of these are also known to offer a few ‘extras’ upon closer inspection, so they end up fitting various styles and can be used in any season.

12 Best Meteorite Dial Watches

1. Rolex Day-Date Meteorite Dial (ref. 228239)

Coming in an 18kt 40mm white gold case, the Day-Date (the first timepiece to spell out the day of the week in full) is the ultimate watch of prestige. Its meteorite dial features a unique crystalline crosshatch pattern called the Widmanstätten pattern or Thomson structure. 

18kt white gold hands adorn the luxe face of the dial, while baguette diamond index hour markers add excellence to the overall visage. 

With a 12mm case thickness, a lug-to-lug distance of 47.4mm, and an 18kt white gold President bracelet, the timepiece epitomizes wealth, and will accommodate a variety of medium-sized wrists. Rolex’s fluted bezel with a wavy design is instantly recognizable for gracing the watch pleasantly. 

An arched day indicator window can be seen at the 12 o’clock position. Beneath it is a polished Rolex logo and the words ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date’ neatly spelled out. At the 3 o’clock position is the date window with a cyclops magnifier that has been integrated with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal to heighten the legibility of the date window. 

Oscillating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour is Rolex caliber 3255, an automatic movement with 31 jewels. It provides an outstanding power reserve of 70 hours.

2. Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Meteorite (ref. 311.63.44.51.99.001)

Trends come and slowly fade out of existence, but never extolled timepieces like the Omega Speedmaster. Since the Speedmaster’s tryst with fate in 1969 when the original model landed on the moon, the collection has continued to be included in NASA’s certified equipment for space.

But the world is evolving, and the Speedmaster Professional has also been transformed into something more elegant, resplendent, and ostentatious.

The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Meteorite is one of the most glamorous versions of the collection, boasting a slice of the rare piece of extra-terrestrial rock that hit planet Earth in prehistoric times.

The sleek gray ceramic case measures 44.25mm in diameter and has two recessed chronograph pushers bordering the winding crown. The bezel is Omega’s patented 18k Sedna gold, and the red gold alloy has also been employed in the making of the hands and applied makers.

The gray dial is breathtaking and has light-colored streaks organically integrated with darker bands to give a unique combination. Two sub-dials are neatly placed at 3 and 9 o’clock, while a date window is at the 6 o’clock position. A sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment on both sides protects the dial.

The Speedmaster Meteorite is powered by the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 9300, a top-tier automatic chronograph movement that offers the wearer up to 60 hours of power reserve. It is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters and comes mounted on a gray leather strap with a titanium foldover clasp.

3. Rolex GMT Master II Meteorite Dial (ref. 126719BLRO)

The Rolex GMT Master ll meteorite watch is arguably the most practical awe-inspiring timepiece out there. That said, if you are searching for a rare watch that is refined and compelling from Rolex, look no further. 

The remarkable quality of the utilitarian timepiece is akin to other sports watches from Rolex, but the magnificence of the Gibeon meteorite is what takes it to another league. The white gold case measures 40mm in diameter, comes with a screw-down case back and Triplock winding crown, and has been mounted on a white gold Oyster bracelet. 

Like many other meteorite dials from Rolex, the sliced piece of Gibeon meteorite has been treated with an acid wash to reveal the streaky surface known as Widmanstätten patterns. Applied white gold indices and bold hour markers adorn the face of the dial, and both have been generously filled with Chromalight luminous solution. 

A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the watch’s dial, while a cyclops lens magnifies the date display at 3 o’clock. The bezel features a two-color Cerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic, and the watch has been designed to tell the time simultaneously in two different time zones.

Powering the watch is the caliber 3285, Rolex’s in-house movement with a Parachrom hairspring, a Superlative-Chronometer certification, and a Chronergy escapement. The robust movement delivers an impressive power reserve of approximately 70 hours and an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day. It is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters.

4. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Caliber 321 (ref. 311.93.42.30.99.001s)

Presented on a non‑grained alligator leather strap, the 42mm platinum-cased watch represents the height of haute horlogerie. I consider this piece an enchanting window into the world of space. 

The dial is a true reminiscence of the vintage Speedmasters but is more spectacular and refined as it is fashioned out of polished black onyx. The lush onyx dial lays the foundations for the three chronograph sub-dials that are all made with slices of lunar meteorite. 

The streaked slate-gray meteorite subdials have been positioned at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. At 3, you will find the small seconds subdial, at 6 is the 30-minute counter, and at 9 o’clock is the 12-hour counter. 18K white gold has been used for the hour and minute hands, while plated brass is used for the central second hands. 

The dot over 90 or DO90 Bezel is a fascinating detail for ambitious collectors. Speedmaster fans will immediately notice that Omega has trailed the path of the vintage models that used this same bezel design until the 1970s. The bezel printing features a little indicator or dot above 90 on the tachymeter scale. 

Other details that bear a resemblance to the original models include the double-step case back, a second hand with a teardrop tip, the memorable bezel layout, and even the Omega logo with the inscription “Professional” at 12 o’clock. 

This timepiece houses the legendary Calibre 321, which is another heartwarming fact. A true veteran of space travel, the Calibre 321 still beats at 18,000vph, which is its normal slow pace; however, the power reserve is now 55 hours. It can be viewed through the sapphire-crystal case back.

5. Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon

Behold one of the most ingenious and exceptionally impressive haute horology icons. The Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon! Representing a powered sculpture as much as an accurate timing machine, this watch is a tourbillon with an avant-garde, built-on-demand moon phase that is drawn up with the help of a pusher on the case.

The timepiece, which was designed in collaboration with Renaud & Papi, comes in a platinum case that measures 47mm in diameter with a thickness of 16.65mm. The timepiece is hefty and large, going by its measurement and robust arching lugs.

But the large size contributes to revealing the ostentatious openwork construction of its breathtaking dial and the profound complication of the movement within. According to the timepiece’s name, the watch brings in the presence of planet Earth and outer space, as seen in the appearance of a polished meteorite stone and platinum.

Following the supreme tradition of Cartier Fine Watchmaking, the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch presents two displays through an impressive interplay of indications.  The usual display that shows the local time with a time zone indicator appears as a 24-hour disc on one side. Then a lunar display with a juxtaposed tourbillon and Moon-phase on-demand is on the other side.

The Ref.WHRO0013 features two sub-dials, each with a disc of meteorite stone. The subdial at the top of the timepiece houses the elegant Cartier blued-steel hands and is for telling time. It can be adjusted by the pusher at 2 o’clock.

The other meteorite disc, partly concealed at 4 o’clock, comes entirely into view with the help of the second pusher, which will automatically eclipse the tourbillon. Ticking at 21,600 vibrations per hour is the caliber 9440 MC movement with a mainspring that provides up to 72 hours of power reserve. The breathtaking movement can be savored through the case-back of the watch.

6. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Meteorite Dial (ref. 116519LN)

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Meteorite is presented in three elegant variants. The first option is an 18k white gold case watch mounted on an Oysterflex bracelet. It flaunts a black ceramic monobloc Cerachrom bezel and a tachymetric scale.

The second and third options are 18K yellow gold, and 18-carat Everose gold (Rolex’s proprietary rendition of rose gold) watches with metallic bezels and Oyster bracelets, respectively. 

Rolex takes the trio to a whole new level by adding a flawless meteorite dial to the classic Daytona formula. Technically, the Daytona recipe has not changed; the same 40mm gold case is used here, the black ceramic or gold bezel, and the robust caliber 4130 movement powers all three watches. 

Only the meteorite dial makes this watch stand out with a unique personality. The Widmanstätten pattern or streaky configuration created by the crystalline framework of the meteorite has been polished but still retains a rougher appearance than the smoothly-finished lacquered dials of other Daytonas.

The Rolex coronet logo, applied hour markers, hour, minutes and seconds hands, and chronograph register borders sport the same color as the case. The fixed bezel has an engraved tachymeter scale and a screw-down crown which uses the Rolex Triplock system to ensure the timepiece is water resistant up to 100 meters. 

The hands and hour markers are generously filled with Rolex’s Chromalight for excellent legibility in low-light conditions. 

Beating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour is the self-winding caliber 4130 with 44 jewels and 201 components. The watch comes with a 5-year warranty and has an impressive power reserve of approximately 72 hours when fully wound.

7. De Bethune DB28XP

Firmly established as an innovative watchmaker in the micro space of high-end luxury watches, De Bethune is recognized for its technological mastery, avant-garde movements, ingenuity, and impressive materials. 

The brand, founded by David Zanetta and Denis Flageollet in 2002, has continued the art of traditional making with cutting-edge technologies. The De Bethune DB28XP is the immaculate manifestation of the brand’s watchmaking ideology.

The case has been finished in matte black Zirconium oxide, which is superior to the traditional cases used for most watches and is nearly impossible to scratch. It measures just right at 43mm and 7.3mm high and will sit snugly on the wrist, thanks to the floating skeletonized lugs from De Bethune. 

The meteorite used for the dial is believed to be “Muonionalusta”, and the brand’s expertise has enabled it to create an outstanding design from the heated meteorite. The blued meteorite dial has been interspersed with marked purple tones, and finally, a lineup of white gold pins has been driven by hand into the dial’s surface. 

An anthracite hour ring with pink gold Arabic numerals adorns the dial, while the arrow-shaped hour and minute hands match the surrounding chamfered blue polished steel rim. 

It is fitted with the aesthetically imposing Calibre DB2115v7 that can be seen through an opening at 6 o’clock.

8. Zodiac Super Sea Wolf SS Automatic Meteorite Dial

Zodiac is a watch brand with a unique heritage. Credited with manufacturing the first automatic sports watch, the watchmaker is known for offering excellent Swiss watches with innovative designs.

Presented in stainless steel that measures 40mm in diameter, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf timepiece features a gray and orange color scheme that draws attention to the meteorite dial. 

The meteorite used here is believed to be the ancient Muonionalusta Meteorite discovered in Sweden in 1906. The unique patterns give the dial a look that no other watch on Earth will share with it and enhance the natural configuration of the dark dial; gray and black accents have been used for the hands and hour markers. 

The case and bracelet are DLC gray to compliment the dial, while the gray bezel inserts feature orange accents that legibly display the first indexed 15 minutes. Much attention has been given to the dial to make it ultra-legible and practical.

The hands are baton-shaped, the hour markers are rectangular, and both have been generously filled with lume to offer profound readability in low-light conditions. A lone screw-down winding crown can be seen at the 3 o’clock position, and together with a compact stainless steel case back, 200 meters of water resistance is guaranteed.

The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal and comes mounted on a 5-link stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly-style deployment clasp. Beating in the heart of the watch at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour is the Swiss-made automatic STP 1-11, with 26 jewels that provide 44 hours of power reserve.

9. Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered Meteorite Dial

Jaquet Droz is a renowned mechanical genius famous for its watches, songbirds, and androids. The brand has adhered to the highest possible standards in its sophisticated designs and intricate mechanism.

Many people familiar with the elegant designs of the high-end luxury watchmaker will not find the signature figure eight on this dial strange. This time, however, it has been tilted by about 30 degrees, including the movement, so the crown has moved to the 4 o’clock position.

The meteorite dial lends the watch a distinctive character with its Widmanstätten pattern, while the eccentric Jaquet Droz-styled dial transforms the entire wristwatch into a piece of art. The timepiece is completely breathtaking, with its off-center hour and minute display being positioned towards the Northeast location of the dial. 

It interlaces with the applied gold rings of the large off-centered seconds subdial, giving the entire watch a healthy dose of equilibrium. Like the rings, the hour, minute, and seconds hands have been fashioned out of 18k pink gold. 

As rare as the meteorite itself, the limited collection is available in three variants. There is a pink gold case model that measures 39mm across, another variant decorated with diamonds, and a third model that measures 43mm in diameter and features a red gold case. Visible through the sapphire exhibition case back is the self-winding caliber JD 2663P that provides an impressive power reserve of 68 hours

10. Piaget Altiplano Automatic Meteorite Dial

Piaget is a brand that has firmly established itself as daring, creative, and bold, with an audacity of unmatched style. The Altiplano Meteorite watch follows Piaget’s tradition in offering this elegant timepiece in a sleek and discreet case that makes modern luxury appear easy.

The case, which is made of 18k pink gold, measures 40mm in diameter and has been thoroughly polished. The height of the watch is only 6.5mm, and this feat has been achieved by some complex technicalities, including a thin movement that stands at a mere 3mm.

Even though the caliber 1203P (visible through the sapphire case back) is very, very thin, it still provides an impressive power reserve of 44 hours and operates at 3Hz. The dial, which is a thin slice of meteorite, has undergone treatment with nitric acid to reveal the distinct Widmanstätten patterns, which appear as elongated iron crystals running parallel to each other in blocked sections.

Adorning the dial is the pink gold applied indexes and hands, which complement the 18k pink gold case and perfectly match the meteorite dial. Being that the timepiece is a sleek dress watch, every component has been well-proportioned. 

The flat polished bezel, minimalistic crown, thin lugs, and even flat case band all accentuate the slim case giving the watch a personality on its own. It comes mounted on a gray alligator leather strap with an 18K pink gold pin buckle. 

11. Louis Moinet Man on The Moon

Louis Moinet is famous for its utilization of meteorites and fossils, and other exotic materials in creating high-end timepieces. In addition to the brand’s expertise in astronomical indications, Moinet’s watch line exudes extravagance, with each distinct timepiece making a loud statement that travels beyond planet Earth. The Meteoris watch collection bridges the gap between terrestrial art and outer space.

Incorporated with a genuine fragment of a Lunar meteorite, the Louis Moinet Moon watch comes in a 43.2mm 316L stainless steel case that is somewhat complex. The case features a stepped bezel with the upper section firmly attached to the head of the main watch with the help of six screws.

A capsule has been positioned at 3 o’clock, and it is here that a fragment of the stunning lunar meteorite sits against the brass dial. The openwork dial was designed to mimic the moon’s surface, especially the lunar impact crater features such as Gassendi, located at the northern edge of Mare Humorum, Tycho, and Cassini.

The hours and minute hands exude a unique gracefulness and have the flamboyant Gouttes de Rosée (dewdrop) tip. The hour markers aggrandize the allure of the breathtaking dial and are somewhat suspended in mid-air.

The cutouts on the dial also reveal the movement, escapement, and offset hands. Delivering up to 48 hours of power reserve,  the Calibre LM45 has been decorated with diamond-polished facets and circular-grained wheels. The timepiece is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters and is presented on a hand-sewn blue alligator leather strap with an alligator lining.

12. Zelos Mako 500M Diver Meteorite

Zelos is a microbrand known for its unique timepiece that often draws inspiration from the rarest of places. Recognized for using non-standard materials in its production process, Zelos has a catalog of impressive watches made out of titanium, bronze, and many prized ancient materials, including meteorite discs.

The Zelos Mako 500 Meteorite is one such innovative creation with an impressive water resistance rating of 500 meters. Measuring a comfortable 40mm diameter (46mm diameter lug to lug), the stainless steel case was built to suit different occasions and wrists. 

The dial features a natural gray Widmanstatten Pattern and comes from a slice of the Muonionalusta meteorite. The textured dial features small circular hour markers filled with BGW9 lume. Applied triangles adjoin the hour markers at 12, 3, and 9 o’clock, while a white-on-black date display has replaced the 6 o’clock index. 

The dial is uncluttered, clean, and legible with the applied Zelos logo above and the words “500m/1640 ft” and “Automatic” placed below in light blue. The hour and minute hands are slim-faceted swords in gold, while the second hand appears as a paddle with a light red tip.

Protecting the dial is a domed ‘box-shaped’ sapphire crystal that measures height to 15.4mm. On the other side, the brushed stainless steel case back features a raised illustration of a shark. It is driven by the Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movement with 26 jewels and 38 hours of power reserve.

Conclusion

In the world of magnificence and grandeur, meteorite dial watches are known to leave a strong expression. Since crafting a dial out of a rock is a truly delicate task, they generally command high prices. This is understandable because of the brittle nature of the special matter and the fact that the dial must be cut to an incredibly thin slice which sometimes still has to undergo drilling for the hands, numerals, etc.

While some people may consider the use of meteorites in watchmaking absurd and bland, the compelling story that comes with each meteorite dial timepiece brings our existence in the universe into focus and reminds us of our place as humans.

Find more enchanting meteorite dial watches right here.