Starfleet Explorer
L'Epée 1839 x MB&F
Six years after the launch of the Starfleet Machine, the first clock co-created by MB&F and L'Epée 1839, the horological space station returned in 2020.
Overview
Six years after the launch of the Starfleet Machine, the first clock co-created by MB&F and L'Epée 1839, the space station returned in 2020, in a more compact size and enhanced with bright colours. Accompanied by a fleet of three small spacecraft exploring the universe, it rightfully bears the name of Starfleet Explorer.
Designed by MB&F, the Starfleet Explorer is an intergalactic spaceship-cum-table clock crafted by L’Epée 1839, the last remaining Swiss manufacture specialised in high-end table clocks. Not only does it display the hours and minutes, it also features an animation in which three spacecraft perform a five-minute orbit of the station. The highly visible, superlatively finished in-house movement boasts an exceptional eight-day power reserve. The mechanism can be manually wound using a double-ended key serving to wind the movement as well as to set the time.
About Starfleet Explorer
The Starfleet Explorer is a table clock, featuring essentially the same mechanisms as a wristwatch, only larger: gear train, mainspring barrel, balance wheel, escape wheel and pallet-lever. L’Epée 1839’s regulator also features an Incabloc shock protection system, something generally only seen in wristwatches, which minimises the risk of damage when the clock is being transported.
One might be tempted to think that the more substantial size of the components simplifies work. Larger components, however, make finely finishing the movement much more difficult to handle than finishing a wristwatch, because of the bigger surface areas.
Arnaud Nicolas, CEO L’Epée 1839 explains: “It’s not just a case of double the size of the components, it’s double the time it takes to finish them. The complexity increases exponentially. For polishing you need to apply the same pressure as you would finishing a watch movement, but on a bigger surface, and that’s more challenging. It’s thanks to the experience and dexterity of our clockmakers that the Starfleet Explorer can feature such superlative fine-finishing.”
Form follows function
The details of the polished movement can be fully appreciated by the naked eye, thanks in large part to the Starfleet Explorer’s extremely open concentric C-shaped external structure, to which the mainplate is attached.
The outermost C-shape features three vertical arcs on which the clock rests. These graceful supports play a role in the design of the model, but also have a very practical application: to enable the Starfleet Explorer to be placed upside down for time-setting and rewinding using a special key.
L'Epée x MB&F
An intergalactic spaceship-cum-table clock
Starfleet Explorer is available as three limited editions of 99 pieces each in blue, green and red.
- Minutes: indicated by a fixed curved aperture on the mobile upper dome, performing a complete rotation every 60 minutes.
- Hours: indicated by a mobile hand, performing a complete rotation every 12 hours on a fixed disc.
- L’Epée 1839 movement, designed and manufactured in-house
- Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
- Power reserve: 8 days
- 11 jewels
- Stainless steel
- Dimensions: diameter approx. 16.5 cm, height approx. 11 cm
Discover the models available
Inspiration
The original Starfleet Machine, launched in 2014, was the first clock ever co-created by MB&F and L'Epée 1839; it marked the 175th anniversary of L’Epée and the beginning of a long series of collaborations with MB&F. Inspired by an intergalactic space station, it stood out like a Vulcan at a terrestrial dinner party - even compared to other contemporary table clocks!
Six years after the launch of that first Starfleet Machine, the horological space station returned in 2020 in a more compact size and enhanced with bright colours, accompanied by a fleet of three small spacecraft exploring the universe; it rightfully bears the name of Starfleet Explorer.
One of the biggest challenges for L’Epée 1839 was respecting the movement configuration required by MB&F’s space station design. L’Epée’s calibre usually equips vertically standing clocks, but here it is laid flat – except the escapement, which has been placed vertically.
Continue to
Destination Moon
Starfleet Machine
