http://www.mbandf.com/machines/performance-art/moonmachine/film/index.phpLimited Edition of 18 Pieces Each
MOONMACHINE by Finnish watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva is the first of the MB&F Performance Art pieces by a watchmaker – and the first to endow a Horological Machine with a new complication.
To create MOONMACHINE, Stepan has reconfigured HM3 Frog by 90° and added his iconic moon-face moon-phase indicator complication set in a scintillating firmament of northern stars.
Based on Stepan’s own face, the phase of the moon is displayed through a signature Korona-shaped aperture, while the mystery winding rotor takes the form of a steel and 22k gold disc with laser-pierced stars forming constellations visible in the northern sky.
HM3 Frog was chosen as the MOONMACHINE platform because the large movement opening in the dial side provides space for the watchmaker to play – and the bulbous indication domes of the Frog are reminiscent of how science fiction buffs have long imagined habitable domes on the Moon.
The multi-layered northern sky rotor adds a stunning background to the twin hand-finished moon faces and makes use of its motion to add vivacity to the moving stars.
Before launching his own brand Sarpaneva Watches in 2003, Stepan Sarpaneva worked with some of the most prestigious Swiss brands including Piaget, Parmigiani – where he worked alongside Kari Voutilainen – Vianney Halter and Christophe Claret.
MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser explains how MOONMACHINE began: “Stepan and I were chatting and he said, ‘You know what, Max? You need a moon in one of your Machines’. I thought about it and then replied, “You know what, Stepan? I think you are right, we do need a moon.’ The rest, as they say, is history.”
“Collaborating on a Performance Art piece is rarely a straightforward task,” says Büsser. “Sharing your own creation with another creator is a daunting experience to say the least. But when you meet someone like Stepan, who not only has great ideas but enormous talent and human values, making the decision to work together is easy.”
“All of us at MB&F are pleased to have given Stepan this opportunity to express his amazing talents in both design and watchmaking by transforming the HM3 Frog. The result is a piece we are all very proud of, and it’s a piece that neither Stepan nor MB&F would have created alone. It’s real Performance Art in every way!”
MOONMACHINE is based on a specially configured HM3 Frog and the moon complication was imagined, designed and created by Stepan Sarpaneva.
Movement: Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor;
Powered by a Girard-Perregaux base, modified by Stepan Sarpaneva
Balance oscillating at 28,800 bph.
DLC coated and star-pieced steel and 22k gold automatic winding rotor
Hour and minutes information transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to rotating domes.
Number of jewels: 36 (all functional)
Number of components: 319
Functions: Hour on one dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours)- Minutes on second dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes)- Moon phase displayed by dual moons rotating under a Korona ring
Case: Natural titanium case, white gold moon faces, light blue sky, limited edition of 18 pieces
Black titanium case, white gold moon faces, dark blue sky, limited edition of 18 pieces
Red gold case, red gold moon faces, anthracite sky, limited edition of 18 pieces
Indication domes configured perpendicular to wrist. Screwed-down crown
Dimensions (exclusive of crown and lugs): 47mm x 50mm x 19mm
Number of case components: 55
Sapphire crystals: Domes and both display backs with anti-reflective treatment on both faces.
Dials: Rotating aluminium domes – 0.58g
Strap & Buckle: Black hand-stitched alligator with 18K gold & titanium custom designed deployant buckle.