MB&F x L'Epe Launch Orb

August 30, 2021

Few creations capture the wonder and curiosity of horology as well as those born of the long-standing collaboration between the mad scientists at MB&F and the incredible clockmakers of L'Epe 1839. Announced today, this is Orb, the latest in a long line of futuristic and dramatic clocks from the combined talents of these two Swiss indie heavy hitters.? Formed around a 17cm sphere of lacquer-coated aluminum, Orb features four positionable blades that allow for a variety of placement options and, when open, offer a view of the hand-wound 8-day movement within. These blades, which MB&F compare to elytra (the name for a beetle's wing covers), each feature a special hinge so that they can hold a variety of positions and magnets in the trailing edge to help secure the four blades in their closed spherical position. Available in white or black, the Orb packs a L'Epe-designed and -manufactured clock movement that offers a display of the hours and the minutes along with an hour-striking function. The movement features two independently-wound barrels C one for time, and the other for the striking mechanism C which sounds the actual hour (not just a chime on each hour) and can be initiated via a button on the side of the clock mechanism.? Capable of being positioned in several different ways by either using a saucer (to keep a fully closed Orb from rolling away) or by using a combination of the elytra to balance the clock on its "wings," the original design concept for Orb came from a one-time intern at MB&F, Maximilian Maertens. Now based out of his studio in Berlin, Maertens worked with MB&F and L'Epe 1839 on previous projects, including the T-Rex clock and the TriPod.? Aside from the considerable complexity and tolerances of the Orb's structure, its multi-positional nature meant that L'Epe needed to design a striking mechanism that doesn't rely on gravity, as is the case for most chiming clock mechanisms that use a bell. For Orb, L'Epe fitted the striking mechanism with a series of springs to help power the strike regardless of how the clock is oriented.? The MB&F x L'Epe 1839 Orb is limited to 50 pieces in either of the two colors shown here, and each unit carries a list price of CHF 28,500.? What We Think Let's get a simple bias out of the way, I love so many of the clocks that have come out of this partnership. I think they are deeply special lighthearted creations in a world that is sometimes too concerned with following tradition and creating solutions to non-existent use cases. From the toy-like Time Fast D8, to more organic forms like the wild Octopod or the stunning Medusa C and let's not forget charmers like Sherman and Balthazar C MB&F and L'Epe have been creating uniquely jaw-dropping clocks and, year after year, they never fail to delight and entertain.? With that out of the way, it's of little surprise that my general fandom for these collaborations easily extends to the new Orb. How does one even conceive of such a thing? When closed it has the dramatic tension of a prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey and I can easily imagine long beams of colorful light reflecting off its smooth surface. If they made the black version with a red dial, I would have sworn it to be a direct reference to Dr. Zin's spider-like robot from Jonny Quest.? But then, with one or more of its four blades open, the sci-fi vibes fade and the Orb feels much more insect-like, as the blades take on a more static, organic, and architectural presence. See that hole in the crystal? That's where you insert the key to wind the movement.? This is a wildly cool thing. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it serves only to delight and fascinate. No, I'm not saying that you need one, but you'd better believe it's ok to want one. This is art for the horologically obsessed, and I'm here for it.? The Basics Brand: MB&F x L'Epe 1839Model: Orb Diameter: 17cmCase Material: Aluminum The Movement Caliber: LEpe 1839 in-house designed and manufactured movementFunctions: ?Hours, minutes, striking hour tonePower Reserve: Eight daysWinding: Hand-woundFrequency: 18,000 vphJewels: 17 Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 28,500Limited Edition: 50 pieces of each color, black or white Shop this story For more information about the MB&F x L'Epe Orb, visit MB&F online.