Continuing their collaboration with L'Epée 1839 —Switzerland's only specialized high-end clock manufacture— MB&F presents another amazing clock at the SIHH 2016. As we go hands-on with the new Sherman —a cute little robot— that doesn't walk, talk, weld cars, or roam Mars, but that tells time and puts a smile on your face every time you look at it. Conceived and developed by MB&F and engineered and crafted by L’Epée 1839, Sherman is the result of Maximilian Büsser’s on-going quest to revisit his childhood, during which he hankered for a robot friend. As you admire our macro photos of the new MB&F Sherman, we ask you to keep in mind that these are prototypes, therefore, the finish on some of the parts will seem a little rough. Of course, the finished product will be at the standards that MB&F has accustomed us to. The new desk clock from MB&F Sherman measures 14.3 cm tall x 10.9 cm wide x 8 cm deep. —roughly 7 inches tall by 4 wide. The clock weights almost a whole kilo —almost 2 pounds.
MB&F Sherman's mechanics are based on a L'Epée 1839 in-line eight-day movement, which ensures that the friendly tank-treaded table clock can display the correct time on his chest for more than a week before requiring rewinding.
Sherman’s mainspring barrel bridge extends down to support his tracks, movement spacers act as shoulders for the arms, and his eyes are bolt heads supporting the regulator.
The movement plates and bridges of the clock also make up the skeleton and body of the robot.
The clock is supposed to be wound via its back, thanks to a double-depth square socket key that sets the time and winds the movement.
Sherman's arms can be manipulated into nearly any configuration, and his hands can be used to hold items.
The transparent dome on Sherman's head reveals his mechanical brain, which is actually the regulator controlling the precision of the robot's time. The movement is composed of 148 parts and 17 jewels, and provides a power reserve of 8 full days with one barrel. The balance wheel oscillates at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
And while Sherman doesn't walk, his rubber caterpillar tracks are fully functional and with a little help from a friend, he can roll over the rugged terrain of a typical office desk.
But as cool as Sherman's robotic and horological accomplishments are, they pale in comparison with his emotional superpower of spreading happiness wherever he goes. The new MB&F Sherman desk clock is available in limited editions of 200 palladium pieces —palladium plated—, 200 gilded pieces —gold plated— and 50 diamond-set gilded pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 13,800 Swiss Francs for either palladium plated or gold plated. For more info on MB&F click here.
