Destination Moon is Available in Four Limited Editions of 50 Pieces Each in Black, Green, Blue PVD, And Palladium Silver
INSPIRATION
Destination Moon is a true collaboration between L'Epée 1839 and MB&F; the base concept originated with L'Epée movement designer and sci-fi rocket fan Nicolas Bringuet, who came up with the idea for the movement's distinctive vertical architecture. Driven by passion, Bringuet designed the movement over one long, largely sleep-free, weekend. L'Epée then contacted MB&F wondering if some type of spacecraft might be designed around the movement and the project blasted off.
MB&F intern-designer Stefano Panterotto came up with the basic shape, however it initially looked too realistically rock- et-like and that something magical was missing. Paradoxically, the answer to adding magic was in removing the skin of the rocket so it both looked more technical − helped by the per- forated Meccano-like movement plates− and acted as a framework for the viewer's imagination.
The real magic of Destination Moon is space; not the space of the cosmos above our heads, but the largely empty space that is Destination Moon. If the body of the rocket was com- pletely covered, observers would see the rocket of some- body else's youth, but because the rocket-themed desktop clock is in reality a largely empty, perforated frame, those viewing Destination Moon are each likely to see a slightly different spacecraft: the rocket of their own childhood rather than somebody else's... Space isn't empty; it's filled by imagination.
REALISATION
While designed by MB&F, Destination Moon was constructed by L'Epée 1839, Switzerland's premier producer of high-end clocks. The concentric vertical construction of the eight-day movement was developed especially for Destination Moon, but it also draws strong parallels with MB&F's recently launched Horological Machine N°7 Aquapod : while one is a spacecraft-inspired table clock and the other a jellyfish-in- spired aquatic wristwatch, both feature movements compris- ing concentric vertical architecture and both are powered from their base.
Perhaps the crowning jewel of Destination Moon its apogee if you will is the small figure on the ladder at its base: Neil. Constructed of solid sterling silver with a stainless steel helmet and wearing a 1960s-style spacesuit, Neil brings a playful human element to the engineering of the Meccano- style openwork of the spaceship and its clockwork. Neil mag- netically attaches anywhere along Destination Moon's boarding ladder. Whether he is embarking to take off for an adventure in space, or disembarking for an adventure on the moon's surface is up to the individual viewer's imagination.
CLOCKWORK
Power for Destination Moon comes from the massive crown in its base, which transfers power to the mainspring barrel via the boarding ladder. The eye-catching regulator is verti- cally positioned to allow for maximum appreciation and pro- tected from curious fingers behind a panel of mineral glass.
Two aluminium disks with stamped white numerals respec- tively indicate the hours (top) and minutes as they line up with the streamlined double-ended pointer above the reg- ulator. The time is set by a central knob in at the very top of the movement.
The stability of the clock is ensured by the substantial weight of Destination Moon's three highly polished landing pods.
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions are: 41.4 cm (height) × 23.3 cm (diameter) Weight: 4.0 kg Satin-finished stainless steel frame.
The landing pods are done in palladium-plated brass, with PVD coating for the blue, green and black editions.
"Neil" the astronaut figurie is done of solid polished silver with a stainless steel helmet and is attached magnetically to the boarding ladder.
The movement is designed and manufactured in-house by L'Epée 1839 with multi-stage vertical architecture. 17 jewels, 18,000 vph and a power reserve of 8 days. Incabloc shock protection system protected by mineral glass. It is made of palladium-plated brass, stainless steel and nickel-plated stainless steel. Movement finishing: polishing, bead-blasting and satin finishing. Winding: manual winding by rotating the propulsion wheel at the base of the rocket. Time setting knob at the top of the movement, above the indication rings.
Display: hour and minute indications stamped on rotating stainless steel discs.
It is comprised of 237 parts, including the movement.
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