The new L’Epée 1839 Time Fast D8 limited edition clock evokes the excitement of becoming a race driver or experiencing the thrills of speed, as intended by its creator, Georg Foster. This vintage-inspired race car and a modern clock in one is a kinetic sculpture that tells the time. It was designed by Georg Foster, a promising young newcomer and major contributor to this second collaboration between ECAL —Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne— and the Swiss manufacture. The piece features a number of eye-catching details, such as the long protruding engine hood, the typical 1950s radiator grill, the large spoked wheels, the driving seat positioned to the rear and the sloping back section. Its overall sporty feel is reinforced by its elegant design, flawless finishes and fluid lines. The name of the Time Fast D8 clearly conveys its technical aspirations, incorporating a motor that can last 8 days—or rather an in-house caliber with a 192-hour power reserve beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour.
This kinetic sculpture displays the hours and minutes like a race number, allowing the time to be easily read on the side of the chassis. A figure sits in the cockpit, where a glass dome, or rather a driver’s helmet, highlights the thrumming escapement. In front of him is the steering wheel, which adopts the three-spoke design typically seen in race cars, serving to set the time.Meanwhile, in a subtle nod to childhood memories, the mechanical motor is wound just like a pull-back car. With 289 ultra-precise mechanical components finished with the greatest care, Time Fast promises its owner nothing but pure pleasure and sensations. Measuring 38 cm long —15 inches—, 16 cm wide —6.3 inches—, 12 high —4.7 inches— and weighing just 4.7 kg —10 pounds—, this race car is by no means lacking in stature and could easily have come straight from one of the greatest motorsports stables.
Designed by Georg Foster while he was a master’s student at ECAL, the clock draws inspiration from a dream of becoming a race driver, or simply the desire to experience the thrills of speed. To create this realistically proportioned mechanical sculpture, he drew on his childhood memories to add symbols and representations, such as boards, bodywork and steering wheels. A fan of motorsport, Georg remembers the typical sound of the smoldering engines and the metallic clicking that follows a mad race, almost echoing the tick-tock of Time Fast D8’s escapement. The engine consists of a tiered movement with an 8-day power reserve that was entirely developed to hug the curves of the bodywork.
The hours and minutes are displayed on the side through an aperture resembling a typical competition number, via two engraved stainless steel disks. On the other side of the chassis is the advertising spot, the characteristic circle on iconic race cars, which can be optionally customized to create a personalized car, by means of an engraving, for example (the L’Epée 1839 logo comes as standard). In the cockpit, the car’s steering wheel, which has been specially designed to incorporate the time-setting wheel, can be used to adjust the time if the engine ever breaks down. Located in the driver’s seat, a counterclockwise adjustment adjusts the time, while clockwise adjustment can be used to reposition the steering wheel once the correct time is set. Time Fast D8 needs to be filled up (with mechanical energy) once every week. The mechanical movement's barrel is wound by moving the wheels in reverse to provide the car with the power it requires to remain fully functional. Meanwhile drive mode is simply designed to provide unimpeded delight.
Just like a normal-sized car, Time Fast D8 is formed of solid aluminum body parts, as well as components as small as an escapement wheel —measuring just a few millimeters across. But here, each part is individually and impeccably finished , whether decorated, polished, satin finished or sand-blasted by hand. L’Epée 1839 Time Fast D8 presents an interpretation of the car where the human being, symbolized by the escapement, is placed at the heart of the car. Safely installed and protected by a glass dome —the helmet—, it sets the pace, just like a driver regulating the power of the engine.
The movement’s plates form the chassis. Each has been designed with great attention to detail, symbolizing for instance the engine block of old race cars. As if to cool the motor constantly running at 18,000 vibrations per hour, the radiator grill is openworked to reveal the manufacturer’s emblem. A dual exhaust provides one final nod to the automotive world.
The L’Epée 1839 Time Fast D8 is a limited edition of 400 pieces with 100 pieces per body color, initially produced in Red, Blue, Green, Blue with white stripes and White with blue stripes versions
Sticker Price $30,000 USD. For more info on L’Epée 1839 click here.
