Melchior was one of MB&F’s 10th Anniversary Pieces, presented in 2015 under the theme ”A creative adult is a child who survived”. Created with L’Epée 1839, Melchior is not only an impressive kinetic robot which may remind you of your childhood dreams, but also an impeccably finished, 480-component mechanical table clock.
Jumping hours and sweeping minutes on Melchior’s chest are displayed via discs bearing MB&F’s signature numerals, while a dial on Melchior’s abdomen is the power reserve indicator. And this robot’s self-sufficiency is to be admired, for the finely-finished, highly-visible movement boasts a power reserve of 40 days, thanks to five mainspring barrels which help make up Melchior’s rippling torso. The gatling gun on his left arm doubles as the winding and time setting key.
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A dial on Melchior’s abdomen indicates the power reserve: thanks to five mainspring barrels, the finely-finished, highly-visible movement boasts a power reserve of 40 days (yes, that’s not a typo – 40 days!).
The clock regulator’s gentle beating and intricate composition are made visible thanks to a polished glass dome. If the protective dome acts like a skull, then the regulator symbolises Melchior’s brain at work.
The retrograde action of Melchior’s expressive eyes marks off intervals of 20 seconds, endowing the robot with a hint of endearing human-like personality.
For more live pics, wristshots and other cool images, check out our Instagram account.
Christening this roboclock ‘Melchior’ – after a traditional forename in his family – Maximilian Büsser developed the concept with designer Xin Wang, selecting a high-end L’Epée clock movement and reimagining it as the mechanical head and torso of a robot.
Indeed, with his smart steel and brass armour, enigmatic glint in his eyes, animated brain and muscular, articulated arms, Melchior is the robot buddy you would want by your side while trying to thwart Darth Vader. But look again and you’ll see that Melchior is also a tribute to the most refined classic clock and watchmaking.
L’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 Sainte-Suzanne, 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.chMelchior is limited to 99 pieces and is available in a monochromatic ‘light’ edition or a two-tone ‘dark and light’ edition. The 100th and final piece is a piece unique: Melchior ‘Only Watch’, distinguished by bright red shoulder pads, sold in 2015 for the Only Watch charity auction to raise money for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
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