• Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic seconde/seconde/ 2025 Edition a Haunting Collaboration
  • Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic seconde/seconde/ 2025 Edition

    A Haunting Collaboration

    Hourstriker Staff
    Words by: Hourstriker Staff
    October 10, 2025
  • In the ever-expanding universe of horology, collaborations have become a vital source of creativity, pushing the boundaries of traditional watch design. When a brand known for its robust and accessible tool watches joins forces with an artist celebrated for his witty and subversive modifications, the result is often something special. This is precisely the case with the renewed partnership between Spinnaker and the Parisian artist Romaric André, known professionally as seconde/seconde/. For Halloween 2025, they have once again summoned a playful spirit from the ether with the launch of the Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic seconde/seconde/ 2025 Edition, a collection that blends serious watchmaking specifications with a delightful dose of ghostly mischief.

    Spinnaker has carved out a significant niche in the watch market by consistently delivering timepieces that honor the history of dive watches while remaining attainable for a broad audience. The brand's ethos is rooted in the spirit of adventure, drawing inspiration from the worlds of yachting, diving, and maritime exploration. Their collections often feature vintage-inspired aesthetics, robust construction, and reliable automatic movements, making them a popular choice for both seasoned collectors and newcomers looking for a dependable and stylish daily-wear watch. The Fleuss collection, in particular, pays homage to Henry Fleuss, a pioneering figure in the development of self-contained diving apparatus, grounding the model line in authentic historical context. This foundation in functional, purpose-built design makes their collaboration with an avant-garde artist like seconde/seconde/ all the more compelling.

    Courtesy of Spinnaker
    Courtesy of Spinnaker


    The creative force behind the ghostly apparitions on this new Spinnaker is Romaric André, a figure who has become one of the most sought-after collaborators in the industry. His journey into watchmaking was unconventional. After graduating from business school in France, André began a career in finance, a world seemingly far removed from the whimsical art he creates today. His first horological venture was co-founding Celsius X VI II, an ambitious project that aimed to merge high-end watchmaking with mobile phone technology, even counting industry titan Richard Mille as an advisor. While the venture was innovative, it ultimately ceased operations. It was with the encouragement of his wife that André found his true calling, starting seconde/seconde/ by modifying vintage watches with quirky, often 8-bit-inspired, custom seconds hands and selling them. This evolved into working directly with brands to infuse his unique, playful perspective into their existing models, transforming them into thought-provoking pieces of wearable art.

    This 2025 edition is not the first time Spinnaker and seconde/seconde/ have delved into the supernatural. Their continued partnership is a testament to the success of their previous ghostly encounters, which have resonated with collectors who appreciate a watch with a distinct personality and a sense of humor. The return of the "phantom" theme for a new release builds on an established narrative, allowing the story to evolve while retaining the core elements that made it popular. This year, the collaboration deepens by offering more choices and refining the spectral design, ensuring that the haunting is both familiar and refreshingly new. The launch, strategically timed for October 17, 2025, perfectly captures the spooky, fun-filled spirit of the Halloween season.

    The central concept of the 2025 edition is a dial quite literally haunted by a host of tiny spirits. The theme is executed with a charming and cohesive vision that extends to every facet of the watch. The name "Phantom" is not merely a marketing label; it is the core identity of the timepiece. Across the dial, a playful army of miniature ghosts seems to float, creating a dynamic and textured landscape that immediately sets this watch apart from anything else on the market. These are not menacing specters but friendly, cartoonish phantoms that glow in the dark, turning the simple act of checking the time into a moment of discovery and delight, especially when the lights go down.

    Courtesy of Spinnaker
    Courtesy of Spinnaker


    Visually, the dial is the undisputed star of the show. Presented in a "spectral gray," the surface has a fine, granular texture that gives it depth and prevents it from appearing flat. Upon this canvas, 47 of the 50 phantoms are meticulously applied. Each tiny ghost has two small black eyes, giving it a distinct character. During the day, they appear as pale, almost white figures against the gray backdrop, creating a subtle but intriguing pattern. However, their true nature is revealed in low-light conditions, where they, along with the bold hands and indices, erupt in a vibrant luminous glow. This full-lume treatment transforms the watch face into a lively, glowing tableau, ensuring maximum legibility while fully committing to the ghostly theme.

    A key element of any seconde/seconde/ collaboration is the element of surprise—the hidden details that reward the observant owner. This timepiece is no exception, featuring three cleverly concealed phantoms in addition to the 47 visible on the dial. One mischievous spirit can be found peeking over the top edge of the date window at the 3 o'clock position, a subtle and humorous touch that integrates the complication into the overall design narrative. Another ghost is hidden on the side of the case, a small but significant detail that proves the design was considered from every angle. The final phantom makes its appearance on the custom rotor of the automatic movement, visible through the exhibition caseback, ensuring that the haunting continues even on the part of the watch typically hidden from view.

    In a significant update for the 2025 edition, Spinnaker is offering the Fleuss Seconde/Seconde/ in two different case sizes for the first time. This decision reflects a keen understanding of the market and collector preferences, which vary widely when it comes to wrist presence. By providing both a 40mm and a 43mm option, the brand makes this unique design accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts. The 40mm version caters to the growing trend for more classically proportioned watches that wear comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes, while the 43mm model maintains the bold, tool-watch presence that has long been a characteristic of the Fleuss collection. This dual-size strategy ensures that collectors can choose the dimension of fright that best suits them.

    Courtesy of Spinnaker
    Courtesy of Spinnaker


    The 40mm model, dubbed the "Phantom Steel," presents a compelling package with refined proportions. Its stainless steel case measures a versatile 40mm in diameter with a relatively slim thickness of 12.5mm, allowing it to slide easily under a cuff while still possessing a solid, durable feel. Driving this version is the Japan Automatic Miyota 9015 movement. This caliber is highly regarded in the microbrand world for its reliability and performance. It operates at a higher frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, which translates to a smoother sweep of the seconds hand compared to many of its competitors. The choice of the 9015 also contributes to the watch's slimmer profile, enhancing its overall wearability. At a price of $525 USD, it represents a strong value for a limited-edition piece with a premium Japanese movement.

    For those who prefer a larger watch, the 43mm "Phantom White" offers a more commanding presence on the wrist. The stainless steel case measures 43mm across and has a thickness of 13.5mm, dimensions that are right at home in the modern dive watch category. Powering this larger variant is the workhorse Japan Automatic Seiko NH35 movement. The NH35 is legendary for its robustness, reliability, and ease of service, making it a logical and trusted choice for a watch built for everyday adventure. While it has a lower beat rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, it is a proven and dependable engine. The use of the NH35 movement allows Spinnaker to offer this larger version at a slightly more accessible price point of $475 USD, with the price difference between the two models being attributed directly to the choice of caliber.

    Both versions share a host of high-quality features that underscore their value. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, providing superior scratch resistance and reducing glare for improved legibility. Surrounding the crystal is a unidirectional rotating bezel, a key functional element of any dive-style watch. In a unique design choice, the bezel insert is made of steel and features a sunray-brushed finish that radiates from the center, beautifully complementing the dial's texture. The elapsed time markers are engraved and filled for durability and visibility. To ensure its capabilities in water, both models are rated for 15 ATM (150 meters) of water resistance and are equipped with a screw-down crown, making them suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and various water sports.

    Completing the package, each watch is supplied with two distinct wearing options. The primary option is a newly designed stainless steel bracelet. The multi-link, "beads of rice" style construction, a design known for its exceptional comfort and flexibility as it conforms to the wrist. This style also imparts a subtle vintage charm that aligns well with the Fleuss collection's heritage. In addition to the bracelet, a custom fabric strap is included in the box. This strap is not just an afterthought; it is thematically linked to the watch, made from a material that glows in the dark. This adds another layer of fun to the ownership experience and provides a comfortable, casual alternative to the steel bracelet.

    Courtesy of Spinnaker
    Courtesy of Spinnaker


    The attention to detail extends to the caseback, which is a work of art in itself. Instead of a standard exhibition window, the sapphire crystal on the back is partially decorated. It features a series of tally marks, like those a prisoner might scratch onto a wall, which glow in a cool blue lume. Accompanying these marks is another, larger ghost figure that glows in a contrasting bright green. This creative use of the caseback adds another hidden layer of discovery and reinforces the playful, spooky narrative of the timepiece. Around the perimeter of the caseback, essential information is engraved, including the "2025 Edition" designation and the individual serial number for each limited-edition piece.

    Spinnaker has structured the release to generate excitement and cater to dedicated collectors. The initial release, "2025 Edition Batch No. 1," is strictly limited, with 1,050 pieces of the 40mm Phantom Steel and 1,150 pieces of the 43mm Phantom White being produced. This scarcity is likely to create high demand upon launch. However, for those who might miss the initial drop, Spinnaker has planned a second-chance pre-order for "Batch No. 2." In a unique and transparent move, these Batch No. 2 watches will be individually numbered "1 of X," with "X" representing the exact number of pre-orders received, ensuring every piece from this later batch is also a uniquely numbered limited edition, with an expected delivery in May 2026.

    This ongoing collaboration between Spinnaker and seconde/seconde/ is reflective of a broader, positive trend within the watch industry. It showcases a growing appetite for watches that are not just technically proficient but also artistically expressive. The success of independent designers like Romaric André highlights a desire among consumers for novelty, humor, and storytelling in their timepieces. By providing a platform for such a distinctive artistic voice on one of their core models, Spinnaker demonstrates a willingness to innovate and engage with the culture of watch collecting on a deeper level.

    Courtesy of Spinnaker
    Courtesy of Spinnaker


    While the dial is populated by ghosts, the watch itself is firmly rooted in Spinnaker's Fleuss heritage. The collection is named after Henry Fleuss, a British diving engineer who was granted a patent in 1878 for a closed-circuit oxygen rebreather, a foundational invention for modern scuba diving. This historical connection to the pioneers of underwater exploration gives the Fleuss model line a legitimate tool-watch pedigree. The juxtaposition of this serious, historical foundation with the lighthearted, spectral art of seconde/seconde/ creates a fascinating and delightful contrast that defines the character of this special edition.

    Considering the unique design, solid specifications, and limited nature of the release, the pricing of the Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic seconde/seconde/ 2025 Edition is highly competitive. At $525 for the 40mm Miyota-powered version and $475 for the 43mm Seiko-powered version, buyers are receiving a significant amount of watch for their money. This is not just a standard model with a printed dial; it is a thoughtfully redesigned timepiece with custom elements from the dial to the caseback, created in partnership with a world-renowned artist. The inclusion of both a high-quality steel bracelet and a custom glow-in-the-dark fabric strap further enhances the overall value proposition.

    Phantom Steel 40mm

    Case: Stainless Steel, 40mm diameter, 12.5mm thickness. Features an anti-reflection coated sapphire crystal, unidirectional turning bezel, and a screw-down crown. Water resistance is 15 ATM.

    Movement: Japan Automatic Miyota 9015 with 3 hands.

    Dial: Spectral gray color featuring 50 glowing phantoms (47 on the dial, 3 hidden). Luminous hands and indices.

    Strap: 20mm stainless steel bracelet and an extra fabric glow-in-the-dark strap.

    Price: $525.00 USD

    Reference Number: SP-5170

    Notes: A limited edition of 1,050 pieces for Batch No. 1. The collaboration with artist seconde/seconde/ includes hidden phantom designs on the case side, rotor, and peeking over the date window.



    Phantom White 43mm

    Case: Stainless Steel, 43mm diameter, 13.5mm thickness. Features an anti-reflection coated sapphire crystal, unidirectional turning bezel, and a screw-down crown. Water resistance is 15 ATM.

    Movement: Japan Automatic Seiko NH35 with 3 hands.

    Dial: Spectral gray color featuring 50 glowing phantoms (47 on the dial, 3 hidden). Luminous hands and indices.

    Strap: 22mm stainless steel bracelet and an extra fabric glow-in-the-dark strap.

    Price: $475.00 USD

    Reference Number: SP-5170

    Notes: A limited edition of 1,150 pieces for Batch No. 1. The collaboration with artist seconde/seconde/ includes hidden phantom designs on the case side, rotor, and peeking over the date window. The price difference from the 40mm model is due to the movement.
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