Are Dinosaurs and mechanical clocks your thing? Look no further...
A minimalist clock-face of Murano glass and steel, suspended between two jointed legs that end in taloned feet — T-Rex bears a slight physical resemblance to the eponymous king of beasts.
Two slim steel hands arch outwards from the centre of the Murano glass dial, indicating the hours and minutes. Behind the dial is a 138-component movement by L’Épée 1839, crowned by a balance beating at the rate of 2.5Hz (18,000vph). The clock is wound with a key at the back of the movement for a maximum power reserve of eight days, while time-setting is accomplished at the centre of the dial with the same key.
The T-Rex by MB&F + L’Epée 1839 - Image Credit: MB&F + L’Epée 1839
T-Rex was first introduced to audiences as a unique piece that had been specially customised for Only Watch 2019. Previously, MB&F’s contributions to Only Watch had been taken from existing collections. Tom & T-Rex, the MB&F creation for the eighth edition of the auction, broke with tradition by preceding the collection from which it was taken. The point of differentiation is in the name: Tom & T-Rex comes with a rider who represents the children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who benefit from the funds raised by Only Watch.
The T-Rex by MB&F + L’Epée 1839 - Image Credit: MB&F + L’Epée 1839
The legs of T-Rex are modelled directly on actual Tyrannosaurus Rex bones, using 3D scans of fossilised dinosaur skeletons as references to create realism in the final design. Alternating polished and sandblasted segments allow light to interact with the legs in such a way that make T-Rex seem agile and coiled to move, although the entire clock itself weighs approximately 2kg and its joints are fixed in place for stability.
T-Rex Stats:
Dimensions: 265 mm tall x 258 mm x 178 mm
Total components (movement + body): 201
Weight: approximately 2kg
Functions: Hours and minutes (also, it’s a t-rex)
Movement: L’Epée 1839 movement, designed and manufactured in-house
Dial: Murano hand-blown glass
Materials: stainless steel, palladium-plated brass and bronze
Finishing: polishing, satin-finishing and sandblasting
Body components: 63
T-Rex comes in three limited editions of 100 pieces each, with Murano glass dials in green, deep blue or red.
Personal thoughts
The T-Rex by MB&F + L’Epée 1839 - Image Credit: MB&F + L’Epée 1839
There are many L’Epee creations to admire, however this one feels like it jumps out and appeals to me the most (not literally jumping, although that would be impressive). On the one hand the T-Rex is youthful and characterful with it’s oversized legs and inquisitive looking dial, and yet at the same time it is technical, intricate and wonderfully crafted. Let’s be honest ‘boys and toys’ is a phrase most men have heard throughout their whole life. It’s a phrase that doesn’t really escape us as we get older, and that is why the T-Rex is the perfect L’Epee clock. It embraces and acknowledges that concept, so when people ask what is on your shelf you can say “Oh this? That’s just a large metal dinosaur that also is a mechanical clock.” That’s a pretty cool thing to tell someone...
