Form Meets Space - The Pedral Rymd Midnight

Independent watchmaking is at its absolute best when a brand dares to abandon standard formulas in pursuit of genuine architectural sculpture. Pedral has established a remarkably distinct design philosophy around the "squarcle", a harmonious geometric synthesis of the square and the circle. Rather than relying on off-the-shelf round cases, Pedral treats horology as a form of wearable industrial art, creating timepieces that feel both timelessly retro and distinctly futuristic.

The name Rymd stems from the Swedish word for space. This is not space in the sense of flashy sci-fi rockets, but rather space as an architectural concept, representing room, volume, quietude, and balance. First revealed as an ambitious prototype in 2023, the Rymd draws its inspiration directly from the golden era of late 1960s modernism. This was the visionary decade defined by Dieter Rams at Braun, the sculptural furniture of Pierre Cardin, and avant-garde horological icons like the Cartier Tank Cintrée and Hamilton Ventura. Pedral captured that exact spirit, crafting an elliptical tonneau silhouette that bends away from conventional round watch design to offer something genuinely refreshing. After three years of meticulous refinement, the Rymd emerges as a strictly single-run creation, individually numbered and destined to be sealed forever once the Kickstarter campaign closes. We are lucky to have here in the UK the beautiful Midnight blue version, let's begin to unveil it.

The specifications

The physical execution of the Rymd Midnight is nothing short of extraordinary. The case measures a beautifully proportioned 38mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug length of 47.5mm. Crafted from high-grade 316L stainless steel, the entirety of the elliptical tonneau case features a rich, hand-brushed finish that diffuses light across its organic curves. Pedral has treated the steel with a specialized scratch-resistant coating rated at 800 HV, designed to withstand daily wear with complete confidence. Despite its sleek aesthetic, the case boasts an impressive 100 metres of water resistance, giving it true "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" versatility. Framing the face is a flat sapphire crystal shaped with rounded corners to match the case aperture, treated with five layers of inner anti-reflective coating for distortion-free viewing from any angle.

The Midnight dial is a breathtaking showcase of depth and light. Built within Pedral's signature squarcle frame, the dial features a captivating fumée blue finish. The surface shifts effortlessly from a deep charcoal near the outer perimeter to a brilliant electric blue at the centre as light strikes the sunburst pattern. Faceted, polished applied indices sit along the edge, catching ambient reflections with surgical precision. By omitting a date window, chronograph sub-dials, and external bezels, Pedral keeps the layout exceptionally clean and balanced, allowing the gradient tone and geometry to command full attention.

Powering the Rymd Midnight is the ultra-slim Japanese Miyota Premium Calibre 9039 automatic movement. Operating at a smooth high-beat frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this mechanical engine provides a true no-date setup without any phantom crown positions. It offers hand-winding, hacking seconds, and a robust 42-hour power reserve, backed by worldwide serviceability. Through the sapphire exhibition case back, one can admire the custom-decorated rotor and clean mechanical layout.

The Rymd Midnight is built for a very specific type of watch enthusiast. It is crafted for individuals who appreciate fine bevels, subtle geometry, and sculptural proportions over loud brand logos. If you love 1960s design philosophy and prefer a watch that sparks curious conversations rather than flexing status, the Rymd is tailored precisely for you.

On the wrist

On a 6.25-inch wrist, the Rymd Midnight feels like an absolute dream. A 38mm elliptical tonneau case paired with a compact 47.5mm lug-to-lug span creates a silhouette that sits in the ultimate horological sweet spot. The smooth, curved case back rests flush against the skin, while the soft contours of the tonneau body hug the wrist naturally. There is zero lug overhang, making it feel custom-tailored for moderate and smaller wrist sizes alike.

Wearing the Rymd is an exercise in understated elegance. Picture yourself sitting at a cosy coffee shop on a crisp morning. As your shirt sleeve shifts, the brushed steel case catches the soft light, giving off a warm, satiny sheen rather than a harsh glare. The Midnight dial transitions seamlessly from a quiet dark shadow into a radiant ocean blue glow. It is precisely the kind of piece that causes observers at nearby tables to look twice. They will not ask if it is a standard luxury brand, they will lean in and eagerly ask, "What on earth is that magnificent watch?"

The Rymd Midnight comes fitted on a magnificent multi-link stainless steel bracelet that blends elements of classic beads-of-rice engineering with modern integrated design. The individual links drape fluidly over the contours of the wrist, delivering exceptional comfort throughout the day while perfectly complementing the brushed finish of the case. Should you wish to change its character, placing the watch on a textured dark navy leather strap accentuates its formal 1960s dress heritage, while a cognac calfskin strap creates a striking, warm contrast against the deep blue fumée dial.

Concluding thoughts

When considering value, the proposition offered by Pedral is genuinely remarkable. For context, the Rymd would retail at approximately €699 to €799 if sold directly through pedral.eu. By securing a Launch Allocation during this campaign, backers save approximately 50 percent off the planned retail price. Every single watch is individually numbered, with numbers assigned strictly in pledge order. Production is strictly limited to this single campaign and will never be restocked. Once the campaign concludes, the Rymd enters the Time Vault and is retired forever, making this an extraordinary opportunity to acquire an ultra-exclusive piece of modern design at half its true market value.

To fully grasp what Pedral has achieved here, it is worth looking at market alternatives. The Maen Manhattan 37 offers a lovely geometric case, yet it relies on sharper, squarer lines and lacks the fluid, organic warmth of an elliptical tonneau. The Brew Metric captures retro charm brilliantly, but it leans heavily into chronograph styling rather than the serene, distraction-free dress ethos of the Rymd. Another option like the March LA.B AM2 brings square vintage flair, yet it comes at a higher price while offering lower water resistance and simpler case finishing. Pedral stands out from the crowd by delivering a pure, sculptural vision combined with serious specifications like 100 metres of water resistance, high-grade hard coating, and a premium high-beat movement. Pedral is a thoroughly refreshing force in independent watchmaking. They have proven that a brand can honour historical modernism while creating a bold, singular design identity, marking them as an exciting indie brand with an incredibly bright future.

for more information please visit here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pedralwatches/rymd-a-vintage-watch-from-the-future

Technical Specifications

Model Name: Pedral Rymd - Midnight

Retail Context: Estimated €699 to €799 EUR direct retail price (approx. 50% discount during Launch Allocation)

Case Style: Elliptical tonneau with signature squarcle dial opening

Case Material: Fully brushed 316L stainless steel with 800 HV scratch-resistant coating

Case Diameter: 38mm

Lug-to-Lug Distance: 47.5mm

Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with rounded corners and 5 layers of inner anti-reflective coating

Dial Finish: Midnight blue fumée sunburst with applied faceted hour indices

Movement: Japanese Miyota Premium Calibre 9039 automatic (high-beat 28,800 vph, true no-date)

Power Reserve: Approximately 42 hours

Functions: Hours, minutes, sweeping central seconds with hacking capability

Case Back: Screw-down exhibition back with sapphire crystal and individual serial numbering

Water Resistance: 10 ATM (100 metres / 330 feet)

Bracelet: Stainless steel multi-link bracelet with brushed finishing

Wrist Fit: Optimised for wrist sizes from 16cm to 20cm (tested on a 6.25-inch wrist)

Production Status: One single production run; individually numbered in pledge order; retired to the Time Vault forever once the campaign ends