Out of this world: watches have been influenced by the cosmos for decades

Alfa Romeo's OG Disco Volante is quite rightly on loads of best looking cars of all time lists. And coming from an alien curious 1950s, the flying saucer car landed at the perfect time.

Cars are not the only things to channel the spaceship look. There is a type of watch called Disco Volante that actually pre-dates the Alfa. The style first appeared in the 1930s, and integrates both crown and strap to give a perfectly round case.

Over the years the watch has been riffed on by lots of brands. Gerald Genta, the most famous watch designer bar none, is credited with a version. Notable Disco Volantes by fancy names like Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin have gold cases and are highly sought by collectors.

If the Disco Volante is subtle UFO chic, then at the other end of the scale is Urwerk. The Swiss brand specialises in making highly engineered watches that look like pieces of abandoned alien tech.

A new special edition has parts made from the fuselage of Lockheed’s legendary SR-71 Blackbird. The famous US spy plane was so fast and elusive that, despite decades in service, no Blackbird was ever shot down. It was made from a secretive titanium alloy and test flown at Area 51 in Nevada – the source of more alien sightings than anywhere else. Coincidence?

Pro tip

Alien inspired watches are one thing, but don’t be fooled by watches that promise the impossible. eBay and other auction sites have lots of great watches – both new and used – but also a load of stuff that is almost guaranteed to disappoint. Two points to consider: 1) If something doesn’t look right, reference it with other websites. 2) If the price looks too good, it is probably quite the opposite.