Heritage holds great significance in watchmaking, with European horologists often celebrating their centuries-old traditions. However, designers Phillip Toledano and Alfred Chan have taken history to new heights—literally—with their latest creation: a watch made from a meteorite that struck Earth nearly a million years ago.

The B/1M, inspired by Brutalist design, is crafted from the Muonionalusta meteorite, first discovered in Kitkiöjärvi, Sweden, in 1906. This cosmic fragment has since been unearthed in multiple pieces across northern Scandinavia, bearing witness to its cataclysmic impact with Earth.

Crafting the Uncommon

Using meteorite material in watches isn’t unheard of, but Toledano and Chan pushed the boundaries by creating an entire case, dial, and lugs from the space rock. “You often see meteorite dials, but a full meteorite watch is incredibly rare,” Toledano said during an interview from New York.

The B/1M features a gray ostrich leg strap and comes in a concrete presentation box.

The reason? Cost and complexity. Meteorite, which can be more expensive per gram than gold, isn’t recyclable like other metals. Once shaped, every fragment’s distinctive Widmanstätten patterns—multidirectional striations caused by millions of years of cooling in space—give each watch a uniquely “otherworldly” shimmer.

Despite its beauty, the material’s high iron content posed challenges. To prevent rusting, the duo coated the watch with a protective layer. Paired with a gray ostrich leg strap and presented in a concrete display box, the B/1M is an ode to craftsmanship and innovation.

A Limited Masterpiece

The prototype B/1M, expected to fetch $8,000 to $16,000 at Phillips Watches’ Time for Art auction in New York, reflects the rarity of its raw material and its intricate design. The designers plan limited production, with each watch bearing unique patterns due to the nature of the meteorite.

“For us, the excitement in watchmaking comes from experimenting with new materials and forms,” Toledano explained.

A slice of the Muonionalusta meteorite (not the fragment used in the watch) shows the material’s distinctive structure, known as Widmanstätten patterns.

Inspired by Brutalism

The B/1M‘s shape draws inspiration from Brutalism, particularly the angular forms of New York’s Breuer Building. Designed by modernist architect Marcel Breuer in the 1960s, the building’s trapezoidal windows informed the watch’s asymmetrical design. Like the structure, the B/1M is stark and minimalist, with a face free of numbers or symbols.

“If you’re looking at that watch face and can’t tell the time, you’ve got bigger problems,” Toledano joked.

The watch’s shape was inspired by the windows at New York’s 945 Madison Avenue, also known as the Breuer Building.

Redefining Modern Watch Design

The duo’s first model, the steel B/1, sold out in under an hour, signaling growing demand for unconventional watch shapes. As Toledano observed, “There’s been a shift in how people—especially men—approach watches. They’re now more open to experimental designs.”

By combining celestial history, bold design, and meticulous craftsmanship, Toledano & Chan’s B/1M is not just a timepiece—it’s a work of art born from the stars.