Mission

A new generation of products, designed and engineered for human life beyond Earth.

Mission

A new generation of products, designed and engineered for human life beyond Earth.

Barrelhand is collaborating with pioneers across industries to deliver your equipment for the next chapter of space exploration.

Fueled

by passion

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2021

2022

2014

From NASA into watchmaking

Our journey started in 2014 when Karel Bachand, who previously did research for NASA, fell in love with watchmaking. We consider watches as a platform for innovation to explore emerging technologies, materials and questions of human culture. From the very beginning, Barrelhand has been about collaborating with creative minds from different disciplines to open a window to the future.

2016

Unleashing the potential of 3D printing

Rethinking product design and production, we turned to 3D printing as a technology that offers vast yet largely untapped potential. 3D printing enabled us to rapidly iterate on our prototypes while remaining extremely flexible. We were also able to realize part geometries that would not have been possible using conventional methods of fabrication.

2018

Building a new infrastructure in the US

A saying goes: “prototypes are easy, production is hard.” Taking our designs into production, we faced a highly limited and centralized selection of watchmaking suppliers. We have therefore spent more than two years establishing an entirely new infrastructure in the US, outside of the traditional hubs. We have identified amazing, US-based talent and applied their capabilities to the context of watchmaking.

2020

Starting production

With a tested US infrastructure and supply chain in place, we started production of our first timepiece: Project One. 3D printing is a core technology for key-components of the final product, such as a first-of-its-kind movement bridge, entirely 3D printed in metal. Project One is a demonstration for how far 3D printing has come, and its vast potential for the future of manufacturing in watchmaking and beyond.

2022

A spaceship for your wrist

Project One sold out to independent collectors and technology enthusiasts from around the world. With Project One completed, we are now applying our learnings towards a new functional product line that is guided by the requirements of space exploration.

2023

The next frontier

Launching the next phase for Barrelhand: as humanity is entering a new space age, our goal is to develop functional products while gaining technological & spiritual insights that will be critical in the context of human space exploration.

Karel Bachand

Founder, CEO & Chief Engineer

Karel is an independent watchmaker and engineer based in San Francisco. He started his career at NASA Ames Research Center developing simulated microgravity devices. A first-mover and expert in 3D printing, he views watchmaking as an ideal platform to explore innovative engineering solutions to complex challenges. For his work on Project One, Karel has been awarded Forbes 30 under 30 and received wide recognition within the watch industry and beyond.

Michael Sorkin

Co-Founder, Chief Strategy Officer

Michael is a serial entrepreneur, investor, pilot and long-time watch enthusiast. Active in the 3D-printing industry for over 10 years, Michael founded Europe’s largest distributor for additive manufacturing technologies. He also served as managing director for the leading manufacturer of desktop 3D-printers. For his role in advancing digital fabrication, Michael received numerous recognitions including Forbes 30 under 30.

Nicolas Klaus

Chief Communications Officer

Nicolas is an entrepreneur, advisor and space enthusiast. He’s been active in the 3D-printing industry for more than 7 years where he held various leadership positions. He is especially interested in exploring the intersection between art and science.