MB&F x Eddy Jaquet 2020
Overview
For the first time, MB&F puts the work of a traditional artisan in the spotlight, with the LM Split Escapement ‘Eddy Jaquet’ Limited Edition: a series of eight unique pieces featuring the extraordinary imagination and skill of the master engraver, depicting the novels of Jules Verne.
Eddy Jaquet is recognised throughout the rarefied circles of independent watchmaking as the man whose transformative touch can turn a watch into a rich storytelling tapestry. Those who have followed MB&F for a while will already be familiar with his work. The flowing script you see on the Legacy Machines is made in Eddy Jaquet’s hand; it is the merest hint of his true artistic talent. MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser says, “We’ve worked with Eddy for years, but getting him to engrave names on movements is like playing Für Elise on a Stradivarius violin — you couldn’t imagine a more modest use of such an amazing gift.”
The most memorable work of the Neuchatel-based Jaquet is characterised by the depth of its scope and ambition; it is classical in style and heroic in its execution of human figures. In a way, the uniting theme of these 8 Pièces Uniques was inevitable. Says Büsser, “We’re brainstorming around the table, and a theme that comes immediately to mind is the writing of Jules Verne, because I’m so into science fiction, and because the Legacy Machine collection that Eddy has been working on is basically the watch that I would have created if MB&F was founded 150 years ago.”
About the collaboration
“We’ve worked with Eddy for years, but getting Eddy Jaquet to engrave names on movements is like playing Für Elise on a Stradivarius violin — you couldn’t imagine a more modest use of such an amazing gift.”
Maximilian Büsser
ENGRAVING
The HM10 Panda jaws indicate the level of remaining power reserve by the opening and closing of the panda’s teeth (end of power reserve = closed jaws).
SPLIT ESCAPEMENT
The balance of the LM Split Escapement seems to oscillate on its own, without any visible intake of energy. The essential remaining parts of the escapement, which provide the driving impulse – anchor and escape wheel – are concealed on the opposite side of the movement.
RENDERING OF THE SCENES
To fully bring out each illustrated scene, Jaquet uses the full range of engraving finishing techniques – also applying in certains parts a dark rhodium alloy by hand, adjusting the shading of each detail according to the scene.
Machine in action
Eddy Jaquet is recognised throughout the rarefied circles of independent watchmaking aficionados as the man whose transformative touch can turn a watch into a rich storytelling tapestry. Those who have followed MB&F for a long time will already be familiar with his work. The flowing script you see on the Legacy Machine engines is made in Eddy Jaquet’s hand; it is the merest hint of his true artistic talent. MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser says, “We’ve worked with Eddy for years, but getting Eddy Jaquet to engrave names on movements is like playing Für Elise on a Stradivarius violin — you couldn’t imagine a more modest use of such an amazing gift.”.
THE MACHINE
A transformative touch
Because of its wide expanse of surface available for engraving, the Legacy Machine Split Escapement (LM SE) was a natural choice for this unprecedented collaboration. In his preliminary research for the series, Eddy Jaquet devoured the books of Jules Verne, reading up to 60 novels and short stories by the prolific 19th-century French author. The eight stories that were finally selected to be illustrated in the limited edition include some of his best-loved work such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea but also some of the lesser-known stories such as The Adventures Of Captain Hatteras.
- Material: 5N+ red gold
- Dimensions: 44.5mm x 18.2mm
- Number of components: 50
- Water resistance: water resistant to 3 ATM / 30m / 100 feet
- LM SE movement developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell.
- Split escapement with balance wheel suspended above the dial and anchor and escapement wheel under the movement.
- Manual winding with double mainspring barrels.
- Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws visible on top of the movement.
- Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; bevelled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.
- Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000 bph
- 296 components / 35 jewels / 72 hours power reserve
- Hours, minutes and power reserve indicator
- Push-button next to the date dial for quick adjustment of the date.
Inspiration
The engraved dial plates of the LM SE Eddy Jaquet Limited Edition are inspired by the novels of Jules Verne, the 19th-century French writer widely acknowledged to be the foremost pioneer of science fiction. The 8 selected stories comprise some of the most popular books by Verne but also some of his more obscure, though equally creative, tales of adventure: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, From The Earth To The Moon, Around The World In Eighty Days, Five Weeks In A Balloon, The Adventures Of Captain Hatteras, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Michael Strogoff and Robur The Conqueror.
For each unique piece, Eddy Jaquet read (or re-read, in some cases) the original work by Jules Verne and viewed any significant secondary creative works based on the books, such as the original published illustrations or films. He then created his own original sketches on templates of the dial plate, depicting key scenes from each story, sometimes combining several tableaux in a single dial plate as a graphic tapestry of storytelling.
