MB&F’s contribution to the Only Watch 2015 charity auction is a unique version of its innovative Melchior clock that was originally made to mark the brand’s tenth anniversary. It is a very peculiar table clock made in a shape of a robot. The futuristic design includes displays for jumping hours and sweeping seconds on the chest, while its eyes serve as seconds indications. There is also a power reserve display on the abdomen. Melchior’s movement with the power reserve that lasts as much as 40 days was made exclusively by the specialized Swiss collaborating brand L’Eppe. The robot-shaped clock features movable limbs and is thoughtfully designed in order to be as much life-like as it is possible.
MB&F Melchior Clock
Melchior by the brand ran by Max Bussier is certainly a very interesting piece which will bring out your inner child to the surface. This aspect of the model intentionally pronounced. This can be seen from the saying that served as its inspiration and which is clearly stated. The look on the rear side of the robot reveals the engraved quote “a creative adult is a child who survived”. Judging by the looks of the clock, it would be very hard not to become childish in its presence.
The clock was initially created earlier this year in the collaboration with the Swiss-based Chinese designer Xin Wang and the prestigious L’Epee 1839 brand, the only high-end manufacturer which is dedicated solely to the creation of clocks. Melchior was initially made in the edition of 99 pieces. Its 100th and final version made with the red-colored shoulders, in the shades of the Monaco’s flag is made especially for the Only watch event.
The displays of the piece are cleverly integrated into the robot’s design. Two discs with typical MB&F numerals are placed on its chest and they are used to display jumping hours (on the left) and minutes. Seconds are shown on the eyes of the robot which “blink” every twenty seconds which makes Melchior even more life-like. There is also an indication on the abdomen which shows the current state of its extremely massive power reserve which last for entire forty days. Such extensive power storage is enabled with the inclusion of five barrels set in series.
Apart from these indications, one can also see the functioning of the clock’s “brain” which is the regulator that can be seen through the glass dome that constitutes the top of the robot’s head. Moreover, its left forearm can be detached from the structure because it also serves as a winding key for the watch’s movement.
MB&F Melchior Clock – Detail
As for the caliber, it was designed and created in-house by L’Epee 1839. The complex structure which consists of 334 components and 50 jewels features the operational frequency is 2.5 Hz. The mechanism is made of palladium-plated brass and includes Incabloc shock-resistance system as a guard to physical force.
Naturally, the manually-wound movement is also decorated with haute horlogerie finishes, including the Cotes de Geneve motif, sand-blasting, perlage, anglage, as well as vertical and circular satin finishing.
The entire structure of the robot-shaped clock is comprised of 146 parts, and it is 303 mm high, 217 mm wide and 112 mm thick. Melchior is pretty heavy and weighs 6.3 kilograms. The transparent dome that makes its head is crafted from polished glass, and is surrounded with a polished and palladium-plated brass bezel. The same material which is used for the bezel is also chosen for its breastplate and spine, while its abdomen, hips, shins and feet are made of steel, which is also used for the arms and weapons that are placed inside each of its hands. Finally, red anodized aluminum is used for the robot’s shoulders,
Just like the caliber, the case of the clock (or should we say the robot’s body) is enriched with the addition of several finishes. Among the many that were used are mirror polishing, anglage, sand-blasting and PVD treatment.
It should be mentioned that Melchior’s hands and legs are movable. Of course, the owner has to move then, Even though this clock is awesomely made, it is still not a robot in a true sense of the word.
MB&F Melchior robots in the limited edition of 99 pieces feature the price of around $35,700. It remains to be seen how much more will the unique red accented version get in the upcoming charity auction in Geneva which is scheduled for 7 November 2015. As it is case with all of the other one-of-kind pieces that will be included in the sale’s offer, the entire proceedings will be donated to the research for the cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
