INTRO

Up, up and away: the most ambitious clock co-created
by L’Epée 1839 and MB&F is ready for lift off.

After 10 years and 15 different clocks, the L’Epée 1839 X MB&F Albatross is by far the most technically audacious co-creation by the two companies. Totalling a whopping 1520 components, Albatross features a striking hour function – chiming both the specific hours on the hour and a single strike on the half-hour – and an automaton composed of 16 pairs of propellers that launch into action every hour.

THE STORY

The clock’s technical specifications are impressive: 1520 components, 17kg, 60cm long by 60cm high and 35cm wide. The aircraft springs into action as the clock strikes the hours and prepares for take-off with its 32 rotating propellers that whirl for about seven seconds.

Inside the aircraft are two movements and two winding systems; one powers the time and striking hour, thanks to two separate barrels, while the other provides the energy for the propellers, powered by a third barrel. The first is manually wound via the propellers at the front of the flying machine: clockwise for the striking hour and anti-clockwise for the time. The propellers at the back wind the automaton. In terms of power reserve, the clock can run for an average of eight days – whether the chiming function is turned on or off – and the automaton for one day.

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INSIGHT

Not only is this the first “propeller hour” clock ever to be created, but it has a mechanical system inside that allows its future owner to turn the action on or off, as desired. Thanks to the two movements, it is possible to have the propellers turn without the hour chime, and vice versa. There are also two “on demand” buttons to chime the time and/or turn the propellers separately.

A closer look at the propellers reveals that they work in pairs, turning together to give the impression that they are going faster. They turn at a speed of 7 seconds for half a turn, or 14 seconds per turn, so that they always remain visible and don’t create any wind. Arnaud Nicolas, CEO of L’Epée, had some fun working on this: “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 for take-off!”

The propellers on the left side of the spaceship turn one way, while those on the right side go the other way, as if the ship really was going to take off. Another detail to note is that when the hour strikes, the propellers operate instantaneously, attesting to the attention to detail that has gone into the Albatross’ creation.

The escapment and machinery powering the ship

A close look into the helm station and ship's wheel

A propeller-crown sits at the prow of the ship

The beautiful and shiny animated side-propellers

ALBATROSS

Technical Specifications

Albatross is launched in five limited editions of only 8 pieces each: blue, red, green, champagne, and black.

Functions

Hours and minutes displayed on individual revolving discs.
Striking hour chiming both the specific hours on the hour and a single strike on the half-hour.
Automaton composed of 16 pairs of propellers that launch into action every hour.
Chiming and propeller functions can be activated/disactivated.
Two “on demand” buttons allow to chime the time and/or turn the propellers separately.

Movements

Two separate movements and winding systems, designed and manufactured in-house by L’Epée 1839; one powers the time and striking hour, the other provides the energy for the automaton (propellers).
Movements finishing: mix of satin and polish.

Time and striking hour movement
In-line 8-day power reserve movement
Balance frequency: 2.5 Hz / 18,000 bph
Jewels: 11
Incabloc shock protection system
Winding: Manual via the propellers at the front of the flying machine: clockwise for the striking hour and anti-clockwise for the time.
2 separate barrels powering the time and chiming functions.

Automaton movement
Winding: manual via the propellers at the back.
Power reserve: when activated, the automaton can run for one day.
1 barrel dedicated to the automaton movement.

63.6001/500

Limited edition of 8 pieces

Champagne

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119'000 CHF excl. VAT