Celebrating a decade of groundbreaking mechanical collaborations, MB&F has partnered with L’Epée to unveil their most ambitious project yet, the Albatross. With L’Epée now under LVMH’s wing, this 15th collaboration pushes the envelope in horological innovation.
The new Albatross is a marvel of engineering, boasting an astonishing 1,520 components and incorporating a chime mechanism that rings the hour and strikes the half-hour with precision.
It’s also the world-first complication, “hélices au passage,” which brings a dynamic automaton to life every hour, with 32 propellers elegantly spinning into action, a nod to the fantastical creations imagined by Jules Verne. Inspired by the “Albatross” airship from Mr. Verne’s novel Robur the Conqueror, as well as the rockets and hot air balloons that populate his works, the Albatross combines literary inspiration with mechanical genius.
Talking about the creative process behind the masterpiece, Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Epée said, “We had to make several attempts to find the correct power and speed for the propellers as our initial experiments caused chaos in the workshop: it was like a helicopter ready fortake-off!”
Inside the Albatross, you’ll find two movements and two distinct winding systems. One system, powered by two separate barrels, drives the timekeeping and striking hour functions. The other system, energized by a third barrel, powers the propellers. The time and hour chime are wound using the front propellers turn clockwise to wind the hour chime and counterclockwise for timekeeping. The rear propellers manage the winding of the automaton.
The clock offers an impressive eight-day power reserve, whether the chiming function is on or off, while the automaton operates for about one day. The propellers on the Albatross spin in opposite directions, mimicking a spaceship ready for takeoff, with precise operation at each hour.
Designed with fail-safes to prevent damage from unauthorized handling, the clock also features a miniature cockpit with a dashboard and ship’s wheel behind a porthole, a delightful touch inspired by the creators’ childhood imagination.
Designed by the visionary Eric Meyer, the clock, crafted from brass, steel, and aluminum, is available in five limited-edition colors – blue, red, green, champagne, and black – with only eight pieces of each color. The vibrant hues are achieved with a translucent cold lacquer, revealing the intricate finishing techniques underneath.
The Albatross has breathtaking high-end watchmaking, storytelling, and technical prowess merged into a single, mesmerizing piece. It is priced at a whopping CHF 119,000 (approximately US$ 140,780).
