DEPLOYANT – Luxury watch reviews & horological lifestyles – Luxury watch reviews & horological lifestyles
MB&F collaborates once again with clock maker L’Epée to create yet another creepy crawly horological objets d’art : this one still within the realm of eight legged marine inhabitants. This follows from the MB&F Aquapod HM7 which was released earlier this year. Presenting the MB&F X L’Epée Octopod.
The MB&F X L’Epée Octopod. Articulating legs, and a sperical bubble containing the entire movement of the clock, including the dial and hands.The version shown here is with silver legs.
MB&F X L’Epée Octopod
Conceived by MB&F and built by Switzerland’s premier clock maker, L’Epée 1839, Octopod stands or crouches thanks to its eight articulated legs. Each leg can be individually adjusted to varying heights, enabling Octopod to rest securely on the most uneven of surfaces, just like a real octopus.
However, the real horological magic and mystery take place in Octopod’s completely transparent spherical ‘head’.
The gimballed head of the Octopus. The detailing like the jaws of the Octopus and the movement within is fully visible through the spherical glass dome.
The Octopod’s transparent head is a sapphire glass sphere which is gimballed like a traditional ship chronometer with difference. The marine chronometers have a two axis gimbal, but the Octopod has only a single axis. This it to ensure that no matter which angle or height it sits, it can rotate such that the time display inside is at the ideal plane for good legibility.
Interestingly, the Octopod’s escapement is located on the minute hand. This is a mechanically more complex solution than if it were on a stationary movement place. Though not technically a tourbillon, the Octopod’s escapement moves through a circle every 60 minutes, helping it to even out the effects of gravity.
The L’Epée clockwork appears suspended inside the sphere, giving an illusion of floating in space (or in water). The baseplate is a transparent plate with anti-reflective coating on both sides, and practically disappears, leaving the movement with this optical illusion. MB&F hints that this is somewhat like the octopus, which is able to conceal parts of itself with camouflage.
Also available with blue legs, the clock looks organic, and almost lifelike.
The Octopod’s movement has a power reserve of 8 days, and an entirely new development by L’Epée 1839
Along with its octopus and marine chronometer connections to the sea, Octopod also brings to mind the then futuristic glass bathysphere of James Cameron’s 1989 film, The Abyss. While the viewer may be outside looking in at the transparent bubble, it’s easy to imagine sinking below the waves and looking out at the astonishing iridescent creatures of the deep oceans. However, you may well rest assured that despite its aquatic inspirations, Octopod is perfectly at home on dry land.
Inspiration and Realisation
As with all MB&F creations, there is an interesting story behind the clock. The Octopod’s inspiration is derived from three aquatic sources: the octopus with “8 legs”, the marine chronometer lending the gimballed structure, and the transparent bubble of the bathysphere in James Cameron’s 1989 movie, The Abyss.
L’Epée produces most of the components, puts them all together and […]
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Article from: DEPLOYANT – Luxury watch reviews & horological lifestyles, by Peter Chong
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