By Jovan Krstevski
SIHH 2016 indeed brings lots of delights not only because of the shiny new watch additions but because of newer and bolder timepieces that say more about the current directions in contemporary technology. So what am I really talking about? Robots my friends, the robots are finally coming to invade our offices and our homes. Kidding aside, Swiss MB&F is expected to release another robot-inspired clock in collaboration with another prominent clockmaker L’Epée. For me, though, the one they released in 2015 (Melchior) was meaner and more sophisticated. However, for minimalists like me, the new happy robot is indeed delightful just to be honest.
Why a Happy Robot? One assumption is that the previous releases are indeed meaner and quite scary for kids so you will not be successful teaching them the values of time through a scary robot clock. A Happy Robot entices easier mood and its quite relaxing to be on your precious exhibition cabinet or table. What is more interesting is that time is presented in the more traditional way with a two-hand clock-style dial at the heart of the robot. The hands are made of blued steel just below the ring of cutout hour markers. It is not very obvious at first glance which adds subtlety to the robotic design which for me is a successful iteration of a real tangible robot.
The robot clock’s brain is represented by the balance wheel and regulation systems seen through the rather large mineral glass dome. The eye sockets which are pretty obvious doubles as the mechanisms for winding the movement and adjusting the time. A winding key is inserted at either of the holes behind the eye sockets for a particular function mentioned above. The design of the body and movement is overseen by the MB&F while the production is done by the Swiss L’Epée.
Furthermore, the movement sports a lengthy power reserve of up to 8 days. It has 148 parts that can be seen through the body of the robot. The main spring barrel sits just above the tank treads operating at 2.5Hz (18,000 bph). If you are worried about its durability well the material used is brass with several plating options. The silver version of the MB&F Sherman is plated in palladium and nickel and gold too. The most expensive Sherman comes in a diamond-set model with 735 diamonds at the head region.
The Sherman happy robot stands at 143 mm and is 109 mm wide. At 0.9 kilograms, you don’t have to worry about it being toppled unless you mercilessly flip it over accidentally. The Sherman happy robot sports fun features too such as its articulating metal tube arms. Its base which looks like tank tread are also working.
There will be three limited editions of the Sherman robot numbering a total of 450 pieces. The clocks plated in palladium and yellow gold are priced at 13,800 Swiss Francs while the diamond-set is priced at a steeper 33,000 Swiss Francs. For more info, please visit mbandf.com
JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Jovan Krstevski has been collecting watches every since his father bought him an Omega Seamaster back when he was just a teenager. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here
