Some watches are designed to be liked. The Isotope Moonshot Terra Maris Chronograph doesn’t bother with that.
Instead, it arrives with a clear point of view, a sci-fi soul, and the quiet confidence of a watch that knows exactly what it is. This is not another retro-flavoured chronograph chasing mid-century motorsport nostalgia. It’s a watch inspired by cosmic storytelling, graphic novels, and the kind of futurism that feels imaginative rather than sterile. One glance is enough to know: this is a Moonshot in every sense of the word – a creative leap that lands firmly on its feet.
A Moonshot, Literally and Figuratively
The Moonshot Terra Maris is the result of a collaboration between Isotope Watches founder José Miranda and Portuguese watch journalist and tastemaker Miguel Seabra. Together, they set out to create something bold, experimental, and emotionally resonant – a chronograph that feels purposeful rather than performative.
The inspiration comes straight from the pages of The Incal, the cult sci-fi epic by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius. It’s a reference steeped in surreal futurism, cosmic mythology, and unmistakable visual identity – and it’s woven deeply into the Terra Maris’ design language rather than pasted on as a gimmick.
The result is a watch that feels like a narrative object as much as a mechanical one.
Forged From a Single Idea – and a Single Block
The case is where the Terra Maris begins to flex its engineering credentials.
CNC-machined from a single solid block of Grade 5 titanium, then DLC-coated and hand-finished, the case achieves a sophisticated matte aesthetic that feels deliberate and refined. This isn’t the flat, chalky look that can plague coated watches; instead, the surface absorbs light softly, giving the watch a stealthy, almost architectural presence.
Despite being titanium, the watch has reassuring substance on the wrist. Edges are crisp, geometry is purposeful, and every transition feels intentional. The pushers offer confident resistance, the crown action is precise, and nothing about the build suggests compromise. It’s modern, industrial, and unapologetically robust – a case that feels forged rather than merely made.
Dial Drama: Texture, Depth, and a World First
If the case draws you in, the dial is what keeps you hooked.
The Terra Maris features a richly textured base dial that shifts subtly depending on the light, but the undeniable stars are the three quartz-blue tricompax sub-dials. These are not painted accents or simple colour pops – they are a world-first execution, produced using a technique that gives them crystalline depth and an almost liquid vibrancy.
In motion, the sub-dials shift between electric blue, deep navy, and metallic teal, creating a sense of energy even when the chronograph isn’t running. Against the darker dial surface, the contrast is excellent, maintaining legibility while adding visual drama.
Applied indices, carefully proportioned hands, and restrained colour accents bring everything together. The dial is complex without being chaotic – a difficult balance that the Terra Maris manages with confidence.
Old-School Muscle: Valjoux 7753
Powering the Moonshot Terra Maris is the Valjoux 7753, a movement that needs little introduction among chronograph enthusiasts.
Robust, proven, and refreshingly honest, the 7753 feels like the right choice for a watch with this much visual presence. It brings mechanical credibility and long-term serviceability, avoiding the fragility or experimental risks that can accompany more exotic alternatives.
Chronograph engagement is crisp, timekeeping is dependable, and the movement’s slightly utilitarian character complements the watch’s industrial-futurist aesthetic. In a world increasingly obsessed with in-house branding, there’s something deeply satisfying about a chronograph that prioritises reliability over rhetoric.
Titanium on Titanium – and Rubber Done Right
Isotope deserves credit for getting the wearing experience spot-on.
The Grade 5 titanium bracelet mirrors the case perfectly in both finish and tone, creating a cohesive and intentional look. Crucially – and enthusiast cheers all around – it features screw-in links, making sizing straightforward and precise. The bracelet feels light yet substantial, reinforcing the watch’s tool-watch credentials without sacrificing comfort.
Also included is a blue FKM rubber strap, which transforms the Terra Maris into a more casual, sport-forward companion. The colour echoes the quartz-blue sub-dials beautifully, while the high-quality FKM material ensures durability and comfort without cheapening the experience.
Two straps, two personalities – both thoughtfully executed.
On the Wrist: Confidently Different
The Moonshot Terra Maris does not disappear under a cuff, nor does it try to. It rewards engagement. You’ll find yourself rotating your wrist to catch the light, noticing new details, and appreciating the interplay between texture and geometry.
It’s a watch that sparks conversations – not because it’s loud, but because it’s confident. As noted in Hodinkee’s hands-on coverage, this is a chronograph that feels fully resolved, not experimental for experimentation’s sake. Every design choice feels intentional, refined, and considered.
Specifications – Isotope Moonshot Terra Maris Chronograph
Brand: Isotope Watches
Model: Moonshot Terra Maris Chronograph
Movement: Swiss automatic Valjoux 7753
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium, CNC-machined from a solid block
Case Finish: DLC-coated, hand-finished matte surface
Case Diameter: 44mm
Thickness: ~15mm
Lug Width: 22mm
Water Resistance: 100 metres
Dial: Textured base dial with rotating quartz-blue discs on the tricompax sub-dials (world-first execution)
Crystal: Double-Domed Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Bracelet: Grade 5 titanium bracelet with screw-in links
Additional Strap: Blue FKM rubber strap
Clasp: Grade 5 titanium folding clasp (for both bands)
Production: Limited run, now SOLD OUT
Collaboration: Miguel Seabra
Awards:
– Innovation Award @ AuroChronos Festival 2025 (Łódź, Poland);
– Public Choice Award (People’s Choice) @ Toronto Timepiece Show 2025 / Timepiece World Awards (Toronto, Canada)
Final Thoughts: A Watch With a Point of View
The Isotope Moonshot Terra Maris is not a watch that plays it safe – and that’s precisely its greatest strength. It combines genuine mechanical credibility with bold visual storytelling, excellent build quality, and a movement chosen for longevity rather than marketing headlines.
In a market saturated with tasteful homages and cautious design, the Terra Maris dares to be expressive. It’s a watch for collectors who value imagination as much as engineering, and for those who believe the best watches don’t just tell time, but tell stories.
The Moonshot doesn’t ask for permission. It simply invites you along for the ride.
GNOMONIST 