Master engraver Eddy Jaquet interprets 8 more literary classics into a new series of Pièces Uniques housed in the LM Split Escapement
With MB&F, a watch tells more than time. In collaboration with engraver Eddy Jaquet, MB&F incorporated the heart of 8 renowned literary works by Jules Verne into the Legacy Machine Split Escapement back in 2021. To come up with his artistic interpretation, Jaquet read close to 60 novels and stories, eventually landing on the final 8, with the ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ edition clinching the GPHG’s Artistic Crafts Award that year.
Building on the success of the first series, a second series of literary-inspired creations has emerged. This time, Jaquet captures the essence of 8 famous novels in the young fiction category including Daniel Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’, ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling, and ‘Moby Dick’ by Herman Melville.
We had been working with him for years, but getting Eddy Jaquet to engrave names on movements was like playing ‘Für Elise’ on a Stradivarius violin – you couldn’t imagine a more modest use of such an amazing gift.
Maximilian Büsser, Founder of MB&F
Again, the LM Split Escapement was selected as the canvas for Jaquet’s intricate works as it had the largest surface available for engraving. Each interpretation is designed from scratch by Jaquet after reading the original books, comic books and watching the film adaptations. But the challenges went beyond the creative interpretation of the stories. He had to translate his concepts onto the limited space on the baseplate of the movement, and consider the varying thickness on its reverse side, especially when doing deep-relief engraving.
To maximise the available space for engraving, a few adjustments were made to the original LM Split Escapement:
- New openworked date and power-reserve subdials
- A slimmer bezel
- Reworked case dimensions to accommodate wider dial plates
- A new dial crystal with a less pronounced curve to the dome to fit the new bezel and case dimensions
The result is a mesmerising tableau of scenes and important moments expressed on the LM SE movement. Housed in stainless steel cases paired with black subdials on a white gold base plate, Jaquet’s detailed engravings make these treasured tales come alive. Every timepiece is accompanied by an original drawing signed by Jaquet, and a Loupe System X6 macro lens for the owner to unlock a new level of discovery.
Images courtesy of MB&F, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel: Venice Through the Eyes of Monet
Vacheron Constantin: Imperial Grandeur
