3 Futuristic Clocks That Push Mechanical And Design Limits

Bored with regular clocks? Then you'll love how independent watchmakers MB&F, Urwerk and Hautlence have raised the bar with their ambitious interpretations.

MB&F Medusa

Working in collaboration with Swiss clockmaker L’Epee 1839, this clock is crafted of Murano glass, precisely hand-blown into the shape of a jellyfish. The pink hue poses the additional challenge of assembling multiple layers of red and clear glass to achieve the right tone.

Due to the fragility of the glass, MB&F and L’Epee 1839 have to figure out a way to wind the clock using only one hand so that the other hand would be free to hold the clock steady. Both the winding and setting systems are thus combined, operable with a propeller at the bottom of the movement. Turning it clockwise sets the time, and anti-clockwise to wind the clock.

There are two rotating rings with the hour on top of the minute, and time is read via a fixed indicator extending over these rings. The clock can be mounted on the ceiling or become a cool accessory on the table.

ICYMI: MB&F's robot-shaped clock

Urwerk AMC

Inspired by one of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s most innovative creations, the sympathique clock that was able to set and regulate a pocket watch, the AMC is an atomic clock that can be merged with one of Urwerk's wristwatches. Housed in a solid aluminium case weighing 35kg, the clock keeps almost perfect time, guaranteed to within one second in 317 years.

When the wristwatch, powered by a special mechanical calibre, is placed in the dock of the base unit, it doesn’t just synchronise its time with the clock; the latter also winds and, perhaps more impressively, regulates the rate of the wristwatch to match its superlative chronometry.

Hautlence Kinetic Table Clock

Hautlence doesn’t do conventional, and this table clock is yet another showcase of its singular approach. Comprising two rotating spheres in two independent glass tubes, one displays the hour while the other indicates the minute.

The engraved numerals may appear random on the spheres but the mechanical system has been cleverly engineered to always show the correct time, with the minute sphere turning to a new numeral every five minutes. The clock is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery.

Since the spheres operate independently from each other, you have the choice of placing the tubes, that come with a base and cover in black anodised aluminium, together or apart.

Topics

Clocks MB&F Urwerk Hautlence

Tatler Asia

3 Futuristic Clocks That Push Mechanical And Design Limits

MB&F Medusa

Urwerk AMC

Hautlence Kinetic Table Clock