After 10 years and 15 different clocks, the L’Epée 1839 X MB&F Albatross is by far the most technically audacious co-creation by the two companies. Totalling a whopping 1520 components, Albatross features a striking hour function – chiming both the specific hours on the hour and a single strike on the half-hour – and an automaton composed of 16 pairs of propellers that launch into action every hour.
The brainchild of designer Eric Meyer, Albatross was inspired by the “Albatross” airship in Jules Verne’s novel Robur the Conqueror, but also more generally by the rockets and hot air balloons imagined by the French author, who had a fascination for flying objects. The clock’s technical specifications are impressive: 1520 components, 17kg, 60cm long by 60cm high and 35cm wide. The aircraft springs into action as the clock strikes the hours and prepares for take-off with its 32 rotating propellers that whirl for about seven seconds.
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After 10 years and 15 different clocks, the L’Epée 1839 X MB&F Albatross is by far the most technically audacious co-creation by the two companies. Totalling a whopping 1520 components, Albatross features a striking hour function – chiming both the specific hours on the hour and a single strike on the half-hour – and an automaton composed of 16 pairs of propellers that launch into action every hour.
Inside the aircraft are two movements and two winding systems; one powers the time and striking hour, thanks to two separate barrels, while the other provides the energy for the propellers, powered by a third barrel. The first is manually wound via the propellers at the front of the flying machine: clockwise for the striking hour and anti-clockwise for the time. The propellers at the back wind the automaton.
As the “grown-up children” who worked on this creation remember only too well what they were like as youngsters, they have included fail-safes so that any unauthorized manipulation of the propellers won’t cause anything to break. They have also crafted a miniature cockpit, complete with a dashboard and ship’s wheel, behind the porthole to delight curious young eyes. At first, there was no plan for a dashboard in the boat’s cabin, but as soon as the idea of having a see-through element was discussed, they could not resist adding these secret details.
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The brainchild of designer Eric Meyer, Albatross was inspired by the “Albatross” airship in Jules Verne’s novel Robur the Conqueror, but also more generally by the rockets and hot air balloons imagined by the French author, who had a fascination for flying objects.
The works of Jules Verne have already inspired several MB&F creations, including the Legacy Machines collection and more specifically a series of Pièces Uniques based on the LM Split Escapement, engraved by Master Engraver Eddy Jaquet.
Maximilian Büsser and Arnaud Nicolas CEO of L’Épée 1839L’Epée 1839 has been a prominent clockmaking manufacture for 185 years. Today, it is the only manufacture in Switzerland to specialize in the production of high-end clocks. Founded in 1839 by Auguste L’Epée in Besançon, France, the company originally focused on producing music boxes and watch components. Even at this early stage, the brand was synonymous with entirely handmade pieces.
Starting in 1850, the manufacture became a leader in producing escapements and began to develop special regulators for alarm clocks, table clocks, and musical watches. It gained wide recognition and filed numerous patents for special escapements, particularly for use in its anti-knocking, auto-starting, and constant force systems. L’Epée 1839 became the principal supplier of several famous clockmakers and went on to win many gold medals at World Fairs.
Today, L’Epée 1839 is based in the Swiss Jura Mountains (Delémont), under the direction of CEO Arnaud Nicolas. The manufacture still upholds this incredible know-how in the passionate creation of unique horological sculptures manufactured entirely in-house.
In 2023, L’Epée 1839 wins the “Mechanical clock” award at the Grand Prix de L’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) with Time Fast II in chrome, a creative and technical challenge.
www.lepee1839.chOrb is available in limited editions of 50 pieces each in white or black.
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