Introducing Xeric’s New 38mm Bead-Blasted Wandering Hour Watch

Over the past 12 years, Xeric has become a Kickstarter darling with over 25,000 backers and $15 million raised across 26 projects. Much of this has been thanks to Xeric’s specialization in watches that push the envelope from a design and timetelling perspective, all while staying in a relatively affordable space. One of the most dynamic and interesting complications is the wandering hour, and it has become a bit of a calling card for Xeric. The latest wandering hour offering from the brand is perhaps its most wearable yet; the Retronaut combines this once-aspirational complication into a package that is both visually striking and downright ergonomic.

The Retronaut’s dimensions are a watch enthusiast’s dream: its beadblasted stainless steel case is 38mm across and 46mm lug to lug, which should wear comfortably on a wide range of wrists. It is paired with a matching 22mm beadblasted retro style bracelet with an expandable butterfly clasp, and a hardened K9 mineral crystal helps to ensure 5 ATM of water resistance. The case and dial design are angular yet slightly more rounded than the Vendetta X, another wandering hour watch from Xeric. As a whole, the package feels harmonious and simple but not simplistic. Of course, that’s thanks to the timetelling method at play here.

For the uninitiated, a wandering hour timepiece conveys the time with satellite hour discs that revolve along the minute track; the current time is shown where the hour points to the minute. It’s a whimsical flex, a great example of “just because we could”. The Retronaut brings this complication to attainability thanks to the Xeric-customized Miyota 9039. Unlike Xeric’s previous wandering hour timepieces, the Retronaut only shows the time-telling area of the dial without revealing the other hour discs. The bead blasted case hides the Geneva gear mechanism where the hour discs revolve to a new number, letting the mystery of the shifting hours remain behind the curtains.

The Retronaut is offered with four color options, and each is limited to only 250 pieces. While it’s not Xeric’s first stab at a wandering hour, the Retronaut is designed for widespread appeal thanks to its wrist-friendly presence, durable specs, and cohesive design. It’s a fantastic way to bring an exclusive and rare complication with you every day. To learn more about Xeric and the Retronaut, visit xeric.com.