This Baselworld 2014, MB&F wowed us again with the release of the Starfleet Machine fully designed by MB&F and engineered and crafted by L’Epée 1839. If you are a Star Trek fan or a Sci-Fi lover like Maximilian Büsser, we know you are already in love with this clock even before you get to look at the pictures or read this article. This fascinating table clock with a 40-day power reserve is the result of a tight collaboration between MB&F and Switzerland's only remaining specialized high-end clock dedicated manufacture, founded in 1839 and celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.
Starfleet Machine is an intergalactic spaceship table clock, featuring hours and minutes, double retrograde seconds and power reserve indicator. The highly visible, superlatively finished in-house movement boasts an exceptional power reserve of 40 days, a power reserve superior to that on any other manual wound table clock in the market, where the norm is typically 8 days of power reserve.
Hours and minutes are indicated on the central black dome by hand-polished hands that follow the dome’s curved contours and it's black and white design. Behind that, a smaller rotating dome, accompanied by a revolving radar dish, provides an intuitive view of remaining energy: five bars indicates the movement is fully wound —40 days of power; one bar means Starfleet Machine is running low on propellant and there are only eight days of remaining power. Once the Starfleet runs out of power reserve, the bars are completely gone and only five white dots remain on the rotating dome indicating that is time to wind the clock once again.
Below 12 o’clock on the central hour-minute dome are the double retrograde seconds in the form of turret-mounted laser cannons. The cannons start in parallel and cross over one another before rapidly flying out again, an action marking off 20-second intervals. The red-tipped cannons provide eye-catching visual animation and the regulator has deliberately been placed in full view for all to admire.
One of the biggest challenges for L’Epée was respecting the movement configuration required by MB&F’s spacecraft design. L’Epée’s calibre 2175 featuring five main spring barrels, usually equips vertically standing clocks, but here it is laid flat. The escapement platform also had to be set horizontally to be protected by the turret-mounted laser cannons. Naturally, the movement beats with a precision that Starfleet would be proud of, for an impressive accuracy of -2 to +2 minutes over 40 days.
When conceiving Starfleet Machine, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser set out to boldly go where no clock designer had gone before, and L’Epée has enthusiastically enjoyed the ride. CEO Arnaud Nicolas says: “MB&F’s idea for Starfleet Machine blew my mind. Like Max, I am a big sci-fi fan so when MB&F came to us with the design, we had to accept the challenge. Our team has been really inspired by this piece, and we think others will be too.”
But the surprises are not over yet, flipping the clock over reveals the beautifully finished calibre 2175 with five barrels and 48 jewels. A movement with enough jewels to make a nice ruby necklace. All the bridges and wheels are highly polished while some the barrels and other components are delicately finished with 'Côtes de Genève'. This movement is a real treat for the eyes with superb attention to detail.
To protect this piece of art from dust or impact, the Starfleet Machine is supplied with a glass dome. This fascinating table clock is available in a limited edition of 175 pieces and in ‘light’ or ‘dark’ finishing. The one featured here is the 'Light' version of the clock, the 'Dark' is finished with ruthenium-finished components. Now, just imagine how good this clock would look on top of that George Nelson bench table next to your Eames Lounge chair.
Sticker Price 28,000 CHF ex VAT. For more info on MB&F click here.
