Of course, if it’s moon watches that you’re after there’s no way you could walk past the MB&F stand without drooling over the ‘Destination Moon’ table clock.
True to form, MB&F had on display some of the most creative timepieces at the show – and this one, their latest creation, was absolutely exquisite. MB&F’s motto is: “A creative adult is a child who survived,” and this couldn’t be better expressed in this evocative clock that looks as though it’s ready to set off for a lunar mission.
MB&F stands for ‘Maximilian Busser & Friends.’ After 15 years of managing mainstream watch brands, Maximilian Busser resigned from his position as MD of Harry Winston in 2005 to create MB&F – described as “an artistic and micro-engineering laboratory dedicated to designing and crafting small series of radical concept watches by bringing together talented horological professionals.”
The Destination Moon clock is conceived by MB&F and built by L’Ep.e 1839 – Switzerland’s premier clock maker. L’Ep.e 1839 was founded 175 years ago by Auguste L’Ep.e to make music box and watch components, and today it’s a unique specialised manufacturer dedicated to making high-end clocks.
Destination Moon is limited to 50 pieces. It has an 8-day power reserve and comes with a massive winding crown at its base. At the other end, a time setting knob resides at the top of the movement. The movement itself is exposed, vertically structured and absolute stunning. You can just about draw your eyes away from the escapement to even bother with the time – which is actually quite legible, with the hours and minutes on large aluminum discs. The piece-de-resistance is a small, solid silver figurine of Neil Armstrong – who’s magnetically attached to the ladder that connects the crown to the movement.
The whole thing is a bit like the Mona Lisa meets the Jetsons. In a word, though, it’s just plain ‘beautiful.’ It’s a shame, then, that most of us are probably as likely to have one of these on our desks as we are to having a boarding card with the words ‘Destination: Moon’ stamped on the front.
