Marcus Hanke
[PuristSPro Moderator]
11515
PuristSPro report: l'Epée and MB&F at Baselworld 2014
"Starfleet Machine"
by l'Epée and MB&F
The clock manufacturer l’Epée (French for: sword) was for a long time the remnant of what once was a flourishing watch- and clockmaking industry in the Besancon region of France. Since 1839, it was active building and designing high quality timepieces, mostly table and mantel clocks. In 2008, however, l’Epée was integrated into the Swiss Swiza group and is now producing in Délémont, in the Swiss Jura.
A signature feature of the recent products are two retrograde, sword-shaped second hands crossing each other, before they jump back to the start position. This design reproduces the traditional company logo (and name) of crossed swords.
To commemorate the company’s 175th anniversary, none less than Maximilian Büsser and Friends was assigned to design a charismatic timepiece, reflecting both l’Epée’s tradition, achievements and its future development.
What MB&F delivered, unexpectedly became a star at this year’s Baselworld. Two of l’Epée’s best know technical features - the 40 days power reserve and the crossing retrograde seconds - were integrated into a shape only a Star Trek fan could think of.
Unfortunately, the l’Epée management is completely devoid of Trekkies. This is why the press release romances about a „spaceship“, resting on its three-legged „landing gear“. Naturally, dozens of online and print resources faithfully reproduced this wrong background information.
For the record: The „Starfleet Machine“ does not depict a starship, but a space station named „Deep Space Nine“, where the third Star Trek television series with the same title is staged.
Within the two concentric rings of the station, MB&F placed an assembly of five massive mainspring barrels, responsible for the long power reserve of 40 days, with the time and power reserve displays on two domes. The large balance wheel is oscillating horizontally, driving the two iconic retrograde second hands. Here they are not shaped like swords, of course, but like two phaser cannons, swivelling their red tips.
There are two versions of the clock, one in natural metal, the other with a galvanically applied black finish, altogether produced in a series of 175 pieces.
Normally, the whole unit rests on its three pylons, but for better visibility, it can be canted over, where a gap in the rings permits a stable rest. To prevent dust from settling on the valuable piece, a large plexiglass dome can be put over the Starfleet Machine.
I suspect that if it weren’t developed by MB&F, the Starfleet Machine would have hardly received such an enthusiastic coverage in the media. This went so far that practically all reports and articles completely ignored the fact that it is a l’Epée product. Consequently, journalists competed each other at the MB&F booth, trying to catch a glimpse of the clock, while in the l’Epée booth in a different hall, no less than six of them were standing around.
The execution is very well, and follows the tradition and achievements of l’Epée. However, there are two details that I think are less good: First, the little satellite dish aside the power reserve display is ridiculous, and would rather be expected on a child’s toy. Second: For no apparent reason, the clock „dial“ has been arranged upside down, with 6 on top and 12 at the bottom, needlessly compromising the timepiece’s legibility. Thus it is no wonder that in the Star Trek universe, only „stardate“ is used as specification of time.
Here is a video of the clock, showing the movement of the retrograde second hands:
Copyright April 2014 - Marcus Hanke & PuristSPro.com - all rights reserved
Comments, suggestions, and corrections to this article are welcome.
PuristSPro report: l'Epée and MB&F at Baselworld 2014
"Starfleet Machine" by l'Epée and MB&F The clock manufacturer l’Epée (French for: sword) was for a long time the remnant of what once was a flourishing watch- and clockmaking industry in the Besancon region of France. Since 1839, it was active buildin...
A stunning clock.
I really love each and every detail... Thanks Marcus for the great post! Fx
Depends on whether you define them as "faults" ...
... and not as a "feature". ;) Marcus
