The horological landscape is frequently populated by brands attempting to iterate on the past, often relying on faux-patina or heritage reissues to capture consumer attention. Split, however, has taken a decidedly different trajectory with the release of the "In The Skies" chronograph. This model represents the culmination of the brand's chronograph collection, arriving as a limited edition piece that pushes material science rather than looking backward. The watch is defined by a singular, overwhelming characteristic that sets it apart from standard steel sports watches: it is a fully luminous timepiece where the case itself, not just the hands or markers, emits a potent glow when the lights go down. This feature is not merely a surface coating but is intrinsic to the construction of the watch, achieved through a proprietary manufacturing process that infuses Japanese luminous powder directly into the case and strap materials.
The development cycle for "In The Skies" spanned eighteen months, a duration necessary to perfect the "Ceramod+" material used for the case. Most luminous watches rely on applying layers of Super-LumiNova to a dial or bezel insert, a method that has been standard for decades. Split’s approach creates a structural luminosity. The case is white in daylight, presenting a stark, matte architectural form that looks decidedly modern. However, the infusion of the luminous compound means that the entire housing of the movement acts as a light source in dark environments. This technical achievement is billed as a production world-first, moving the concept of a "lume dial" to its logical, albeit extreme, conclusion: a "lume watch."
Courtesy of Split
Visually, the watch commands attention even before it glows. The 42mm case is constructed from the brand's signature Ceramod+ composite. The geometry is aggressive and faceted, featuring an octagonal bezel design that sits atop a cushion-style case foundation. The lines are sharp, suggesting a high-precision molding process that retains defined edges rather than the softer, melted look sometimes found in ceramic or plastic composites. The color is a flat, uniform white that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving the watch a tool-like, instrument aesthetic. This matte white finish provides high contrast against the black elements of the watch, creating a panda-style configuration that prioritizes legibility above all else.
The dial layout follows a classic bi-compax configuration, a nod to the golden age of chronographs but executed with a stark, modern typeface and layout. At the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions sit the sub-dials, slightly recessed to add depth to the face. The sub-dials are tonal, matching the white of the main dial, which preserves the clean, uninterrupted aesthetic of the piece. The lack of contrasting sub-dial rings reinforces the minimalist design language. The minute track and tachymeter scale on the outer flange are printed in sharp black, providing the necessary technical data for a chronograph without cluttering the central viewing area.
A closer inspection of the dial reveals the brand's commitment to "honest" design. The hands are baton-style, finished in black to float visibly above the white background. The central chronograph seconds hand is tipped with a specific counterweight design, while the sub-dial hands are simple and functional. At the six o'clock position, a date window is integrated. Rather than disrupting the symmetry, the date wheel is color-matched—white numerals on a black background—or perhaps the inverse depending on the specific lighting, but the key is the integration which keeps the dial balanced. The text on the dial is sparse, listing only the brand name "Split" at twelve o'clock and the essential specs—"CERAMOD+ CHRONOGRAPH"—stacked neatly above the date window.
The control points of the watch—the crown and pushers—add a tactile and visual break to the all-white silhouette. The pushers are a modern interpretation of the "mushroom" style found on vintage aviator and racing watches. They feature black caps that provide a wide surface area for activation, ensuring that the chronograph can be started, stopped, and reset with positive tactile feedback. The crown is guarded by the case shape but remains accessible, featuring a gear-tooth grip pattern that allows for easy manipulation even if the wearer is using gloves. A star emblem adorns the side of the crown, a subtle branding detail that doesn't scream for attention but rewards close inspection.
Courtesy of Split
Turning the watch over reveals the engine powering this machine, visible through a sapphire exhibition caseback. The movement is identified as the NE86A, a high-specification automatic chronograph caliber from the Seiko family. This is a significant choice for a brand positioned in this segment. The NE86A is distinct from cheaper, modular chronograph movements often found in microbrand watches. It features a column wheel and vertical clutch architecture. The column wheel ensures precise action when the pushers are depressed, eliminating the "mushy" feel associated with cam-actuated levers. The vertical clutch allows the chronograph seconds hand to start smoothly without the "jump" or stutter that can plague other movements, and it also reduces wear and tear on the gear train when the chronograph is left running for extended periods.
The rotor of the movement is decorated with "Cotes de Geneve" striping, and the text "THIRTY-FOUR JEWELS" and "JAPAN" is clearly visible, attesting to the movement's origin and complexity. The choice of this movement aligns with the founder's appreciation for Seiko’s history of bold, substance-first innovation. It offers a beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a power reserve that is robust enough for daily wear. The exhibition window is surrounded by a black outer ring on the caseback, which lists the technical specifications such as the 100-meter water resistance and the limited edition numbering, reminding the owner that there are only 250 of these pieces in existence.
The strap attached to the "In The Skies" model is as technically considered as the case. It is made from FKM (Fluoroelastomer) rubber, a material superior to standard silicone or natural rubber in almost every metric. FKM is highly resistant to heat, oxidation, and chemicals, making it incredibly durable in harsh environments. It is also denser and has a more premium tactile feel than lint-magnet silicone straps. This specific strap is color-matched to the case, creating an integrated bracelet look where the lines of the lugs flow seamlessly into the rubber. The strap is infused with the same luminous powder as the case, ensuring that the "full glow" effect wraps completely around the wrist.
Comfort on the wrist is a primary focus of the Ceramod+ material. Aside from its visual properties, the material has thermal characteristics that make it comfortable to wear in varying temperatures; it doesn't get icy cold in winter or searingly hot in summer like a steel watch can. The watch weighs significantly less than a stainless steel counterpart of the same dimensions (42mm diameter, 15mm thickness), which reduces wrist fatigue. The strap is designed to be malleable, molding to the wearer's wrist shape over time, and its resistance to sweat and bacteria makes it a hygienic choice for a watch intended to be worn during activity.
Courtesy of Split
The origins of Split are deeply rooted in the personal and professional history of its founder, Ed Margulies. His resume reads like a tour of the Swiss watch industry's heavy hitters, having trained at Longines and worked with Vacheron Constantin, Blancpain, Audemars Piguet, and Girard Perregaux. This accumulation of experience in the upper echelons of luxury distribution and brand management eventually led to a desire to pivot away from the tradition-bound and often ego-centric nature of the Swiss watch world. The goal was to build a brand that stripped away the pretense and focused on the raw utility and "grit" of the machine.
This philosophy of "Raw Craft, Refined Precision" is evident in the lack of unnecessary polish on the watch. There are no high-polished bevels or gold-plated accents here. The brand ethos is about challenging the norm and providing a product that feels honest. Collaborating with his friend Dara, a musician turned consultant, Ed sought to create a brand that resonated with a mindset of resilience. The result is a product that feels more like a piece of high-performance gear than a piece of jewelry. It acknowledges the history of horology—specifically the bi-compax chronograph layout—but executes it with materials that belong to the modern industrial world.
The name "Split" itself carries a dual meaning, referencing both the splitting of time (as in a chronograph split time) and the splitting away from the established status quo. The brand explicitly rejects the notion of watches as investment vehicles or status symbols. You won't find marketing copy from Split promising that this watch will be an heirloom for the next generation or a safe place to park capital. The messaging is refreshingly existential: time is the only thing we truly own, and there is no past or future, only the current moment. This perspective frames the watch as a tool for mindfulness and presence rather than a store of value.
A critical component of the Split identity is its commitment to mental health awareness, a cause personal to the founder. The watch industry often sells a lifestyle of unreachable perfection, but Split leans into the reality of human struggle. Every purchase of a Split watch funds an hour of therapy for someone in need through a partnership with the Anna Freud Centre. This "Time That Gives Back" initiative turns the commercial transaction into a social good. It aligns the brand with a purpose beyond simple manufacturing, acknowledging that while the watch measures seconds, the impact of the brand is measured in support provided to people.
Courtesy of Split
The "In The Skies" model specifically seems to channel this ethereal, slightly rebellious spirit. The all-white, ghostly appearance in the day transitions to a radioactive-green beacon at night. This duality mirrors the brand's balance between technical precision and emotional resonance. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures that this view is always clear, protecting the dial from scratches while minimizing glare. Durability is further ensured by the screw-down crown and the robust case construction, giving the watch a 100-meter water resistance rating. This makes it a capable companion for swimming and general outdoor use, not just a desk diver.
The luminescence requires specific mention of its "secret ratio." Mixing luminous powder into a solid substrate like ceramic or plastic composite is notoriously difficult; too much powder can compromise the structural integrity of the material, while too little results in a weak, patchy glow. Split claims to have found the optimal balance, allowing the case to glow brightly without becoming brittle. This technical hurdle is likely why "full lume" cases are rare in the industry, usually reserved for concept watches or very expensive high-horology experiments. For Split to achieve this in a production model at this price point is a significant manufacturing win.
The chronograph functionality is crisp and legible. The tachymeter scale on the bezel allows for the calculation of speed over a fixed distance, a traditional function that fits the racing inspiration of the pushers. While few modern users use a tachymeter for actual speed calculations, its presence connects the watch to the lineage of automotive timing tools. The specific choice of a bi-compax layout (two registers) versus a tri-compax (three registers) keeps the dial less cluttered and is often preferred by enthusiasts for its symmetry.
In terms of market positioning, Split occupies a unique niche. It competes with other microbrands and independent makers, but its access to the NE86A movement and its proprietary case materials give it a distinctive edge. Most competitors in this price bracket rely on standard 316L stainless steel and off-the-shelf movements like the Miyota 9-series or standard Sellita calibers. By opting for a column-wheel Seiko movement and a custom-engineered luminous composite case, Split offers a value proposition that is centered on hardware and innovation rather than just branding or styling exercises.
Courtesy of Split
The packaging and after-sales support also reflect the brand's industry connections. Service is led by master watchmaker Kelvin Rampersad, whose forty years of experience with top-tier luxury brands ensures that the watches can be maintained properly. This addresses a common fear with independent brands regarding long-term serviceability. Knowing that there is a dedicated, experienced watchmaker behind the after-sales process adds a layer of trust to the purchase.
Priced at $2,116.00 (approx. £1,800), the "In The Skies" is an investment in a specific kind of watchmaking philosophy. It is a limited edition of 250 pieces, ensuring a degree of exclusivity. The price includes free shipping in the UK, a two-year warranty, and the aforementioned donation of a therapy session. For collectors tired of the endless parade of steel dive watches and vintage reissues, this fully luminous, column-wheel chronograph offers a stark, glowing alternative that creates its own lane. It is available now directly from Split, but given the limited production run and the unique nature of the materials, it is a release that targets decisive buyers ready to embrace the light.
Case: 42mm diameter, 15mm thickness. Constructed from Ceramod+ material infused with Japanese luminous powder for a full-glow effect. Features a screw-down crown, mushroom pushers, and a sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating. Water resistant to 100 meters with an exhibition caseback.
Movement: Seiko NE86A automatic bi-compax chronograph movement with 34 jewels. Features a column wheel and vertical clutch architecture. Visible through the sapphire exhibition caseback.
Dial: White dial with bi-compax layout and date window at 6 o'clock. Features highest-grade fluorescence and black hands/markers for contrast. Includes a tachymeter scale on the outer flange.
Strap: 20mm width FKM (Fluoroelastomer) rubber strap. Infused with luminous powder to match the case. Resistant to temperature, water, chemicals, sweat, and bacteria.
Price: $2,116.00 USD / £1,800 GBP
Notes: Limited edition of 250 pieces. This is the first production watch to feature a fully luminous case and strap created by infusing materials with luminous powder. Purchase includes a donation of one hour of therapy to the Anna Freud Centre.