MB&F - The Geneva Watch Auction: XI Geneva Sunday, June 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: MB&F
    Year: 2016
    Reference No: 50.6803/104
    Case No: 32'768
    Model Name: Balthazar
    Material: Palladium-plated polished brass
    Calibre: L’Epée in-house mechanical movement cal. 2010 HMDM, 62 jewels
    Dimensions: 394mm high x 238mm wide (depending on position of the arms)
    Signed: Body signed on both sides MB&F and L'Epée
    Accessories: Accompanied by MB&F transportation box with outer packaging, guarantee and user instructions

  • Catalogue Essay

    Balthazar is the latest collaboration between MB&F and L’Epée 1839 and may be seen as Melchior’s little brother. The robot measures almost 40cm in height and displays two faces - just like "in all of us” according to its creator. While one side shows a nice and smiling face with a 20-second retrograde second displayed via the red pupils of the robot’s eyes, "Slow" jumping hours and sweeping minutes on two disks and an impressive 35 days’ power reserve, the other "darker" side shows a skull face with a double hemisphere moon phase indicator depicting Balthazar’s bright and dark face.

    Despite its playful aspect, Balthazar is a highly sophisticated and imposing high-precision timepiece. Composed of 618 components, Balthazar’s movement also features the same superlative fine finishing such as Geneva waves, anglage, mirror polishes, sand - blasting, circular and vertical satin finishing – as seen on haute horlogerie wristwatches. MB&F in partnership with L’Epée 1839 developed an in-house movement to bring to life this almost 8-kilogram robot. Its active brain is actually a regulator with an Incabloc shock protection system to minimize risk of damage to this critical component when the clock is being transported or moved. Fitted with five barrels, the movement has a 35-days power reserve. And finally, it displays a moonphase indication.

    The fully articulated body is also a marvel of precision. When the winding key is hidden in the shield, the arms can move and the hand can grab an object. Even more impressively, the entire upper part of the body can rotate on a 360° axis around the robot’s hips.

    Available in four different colour combinations, this silver Balthazar is part of a limited edition of 50 pieces and is not only an incredibly attractive object but a definitive talking piece

52

Ref. 50.6803/104
A massive two-sides limited edition palladium-plated polished brass robot table clock with 35 days power reserve, 20-second retrograde displays, moonphases, box and guarantee

2016
394mm high x 238mm wide (depending on position of the arms)
Body signed on both sides MB&F and L'Epée

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€13,900-23,200
$16,400-27,300

Sold for CHF31,250

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XI

Geneva Auction 27 - 28 June 2020