MB&F
The Fifth Element
You get the feeling that there’s never a dull moment working at MB&F. Presided by its ringmaster, Maximilian Büsser, this collective has never been afraid to let the imagination soar since its founding in 2005, creating horological masterpieces that are radical, three-dimensional kinetic sculptures, yet still underpinned by traditional, high-quality watchmaking. The brand’s latest ‘machine’, The Fifth Element, is an intergalactic horological weather station that allows accurate weather forecasting even when the power goes down. Four elements, modelled after the quintessential 1950- 60s UFOs, make up the clock (L’Epée 1839, Switzerland’s premier clock manufacture, reengineered and skeletonised its eight-day clock movement to maximise transparency and visual access), barometer, hygrometer and thermometer, all combining in a mothership. The final, fantastical detail is the alien pilot, Ross, who’s powered by his own manuallywound movement as rotates around the UFO’s cockpit.
While there might be little practical need for a desktop mechanical weather station these days, there’s no denying the technical mastery behind it, as well as its beautiful elegance. It’s also worth remembering that, when the apocalypse hits and the power go out, The Fifth Element will still work perfectly. Unveiled at Baselworld in March, The Fifth Element is available in three limited editions of 18 pieces each in black, silver and blue.
