Atowak has created an otherworldly timepiece with a proprietary rotating Mars hour display, a dual-minute relay system, and a centrally-mounted M-shaped seconds indicator.
The Mars Age is driven by Atowak’s proprietary orbital startrail time system, inspired by the Earth, Moon, and Mars. Featuring a conservatively sized 40 mm diameter case, the Mars Age, is more wearable than many of the offerings within this niche segment of non-traditional timekeepers. There are three versions of the Mars Age, two being produced in limited quantities, and one that’s a strictly limited edition.
Case
The Mars Age packs its unique proprietary mechanical time telling complication into a well-sized case, that measures 40 mm x 14.4 mm, and 47.2 mm lug-to-lug. Thanks to a design that utilizes lightweight forged carbon fiber (or fiberglass), aluminum (movement and dial components), and titanium (the case and the movement use titanium) — the Mars Age weighs just 67.5 grams with strap. The case is water-resistant rated to a depth of 50 meters.
Available in forged carbon fiber (black and purple models) or fiberglass (white version), all three aerospace-inspired composite cases are reinforced with an alloyed Grade 5 titanium bezel, side inserts, caseback, and crown resulting in exceptional strength, comfort, and lightness. Details such as a 90-facet titanium crown enhances precision and tactile control, while Grade 5 titanium is hypoallergenic against your skin, interestingly each case features a unique layered texture with subtle luminous particles that glow in low light.
Dial
A laser-micro-engraved Earth disc outlines continental forms, paired with a layered Super-Luminova “AK” at the center for a refined luminous depth. A 3 mm diamond-dust polished black jade sphere represents the Moon.
Hours Display
Forgoing a traditional dial layout, the Mars Age display uses an 8 mm titanium hour disc that has a triangular hour indicator on the domed inner disc, and 12 hour markers on its sloped outer ring, including an inverted triangular marker at 12 o’clock, that tells the time like a regular clock, except the entire disc also rotates around the dial in 30° orbital increments. According to Atowak, “As the central module operates, the Mars disc both revolves and rotates on its own axis. The outer hour scale remains consistently aligned, allowing the hour indication to transition with precision.”
Minutes Display
For minutes, a bi-directional indicator and rocket-shaped pointer alternate through a continuous 60-minute “relay” to display the minutes. This is perhaps one of the coolest features of the Mars Age. According to Atowak, “The inner dial features a 180° minute scale. Minutes are displayed through a distinctive “spacecraft relay” system, where the rocket hand and double-ended hand work in alternation. Every 60 minutes, the rocket hand extends to indicate the minutes while the double-ended hand gradually retracts. The two then exchange roles and continue in sequence. Driven by a planetary gear system, the entire central module completes one revolution every 120 minutes.”
Seconds Display
At the center, a luminous “M” seconds hand indicates the seconds by continuously rotating completely every 60 seconds. You will not be able to see the precise seconds, however, you’ll visualize the mechanical motion of the watch at it oscillates at 4Hz, which equates to precisely 28,800 times per hour.
Luminous Dial
In addition to the aforementioned luminous elements of the case, all of the timekeeping functions, and the Atowak “AK” emblem, are lit with a bright green emitting Superluminova luminous material, with the exception of the limited edition model, that receives a special two-tone green and orange-emitting lume treatment.
Ultra Clear Sapphire
Completing, and protecting, the dial is a double domed “high-purity sapphire crystal and 6 layers of anti-reflective coating (reflectivity <0.8%), it delivers exceptional clarity 93.5% Visual Clarity）and a deep, distortion-free visual depth.”
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Proprietary Orbital Time Display System
Powered by the Sellita SW200 and Atowak’s proprietary orbital time module, the Mars Age unites Swiss reliability with a redefined time display system. A bidirectional rotor ensures efficient winding and stable precision in motion, with a maximum power reserve of 38 hours.
Referred to internally as the caliber AK-08Ba, this is a modified Sellita SW200 that beats at 4Hz. Uniquely, the movement boasts a ultra-precise five-axis CNC machined Grade 5 titanium skeletonized mainplate that delivers high rigidity with reduced mass. It ensures precise gear alignment and stable energy transmission (reducing vibrations) within a lightweight structural architecture.
Strap
Built with a multi-layer composite construction, the strap combines 900D ripstop nylon with ventilated vegetable-tanned leather. During the launch period, an additional alligator leather strap will be included complimentary with every purchase. Straps measure 24 mm/20 mm.
Limited Edition
“Inspiration draws from real NASA astronomical imagery of the Martian sky. During sunrise and sunset on Mars, observation data reveals a brief blue-violet glow around the sun, forming a rare gradient against the planet’s orange-red atmosphere. This fleeting spectral moment is translated into the dial’s layered composition of orange, violet, and blue.
The violet tone also echoes the spectral signature of ancient lakebed sediments observed by NASA at Mount Sharp, suggesting the possibility of water in Mars’ early history. Here, color becomes more than an aesthetic choice. It becomes a visual interpretation of Martian light, terrain, and geological memory.
Beneath the dial, the upgrade becomes structural. Phantom Violet replaces the standard brass plates in the central module with Grade 5 titanium, a stronger and more demanding material to machine. It brings greater refinement to the visible architecture while helping the mechanism maintain stability under high-speed operation.
From color logic and material specification to mechanical detail, Phantom Violet is not a conventional “special color.” It is a Mars-themed special edition with its own visual identity, technical substance, and collectible significance.
The 102-piece limitation is rooted in a real difference between Martian time and Earth time. On Mars, a complete solar day is known as a Sol. Unlike Earth’s 24-hour day, a Sol lasts approximately 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds, or about 102.7% of an Earth day. When a day on Earth is complete, time on Mars is still moving forward.
For Mars Age, “102” is not a number chosen for rarity alone. It transforms the extra 2% of Martian time into a tangible expression. Those additional 39 minutes symbolize humanity’s encounter with another order of time after leaving Earth behind.
In the universe, time does not follow a single standard. The 102 pieces commemorate the unknown beyond 100%: the part of time that begins where Earth’s measure ends,” according to Atowak.
Pricing and Availability
In watchmaking, achieving technical feats is part of the game, however, so is fitting these mechanical features into a case that’s wearable, and wearability is paramount to any good wristwatch. This is perhaps, Atowak’s most wearable timepiece to date. The Mars Age Origin Gray and Traverse White retail for $3,380 and will be limited production. The Phantom Violet retails for $3,980 and is limited numbered edition of 102 pieces.
Learn more at Atowak.
Photos by Atowak.
