MB&F and Eddy Jaquet's engraved literary masterpieces

Eddy Jaquet, a name synonymous with unparalleled skill in the art of engraving, brings to life the pages of beloved novels on the canvas of MB&F's Legacy Machine Split Escapement. Each timepiece in this exclusive series of eight unique pieces is a miniature masterpiece, showcasing Jaquet's ability to transform cold metal into warm, evocative scenes that capture the essence of literary giants.

"Watching Eddy work is like witnessing a Renaissance master at his craft," muses Maximilian Büsser, founder of MB&F. "His chisel moves with the precision of a surgeon and the passion of a poet, breathing life into these timeless stories."

A Literary Journey in Metal

The chosen works for this new series read like a who's who of classic literature:

• "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe

• "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas

• "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper

• "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling

• "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London

• "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville

• "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson

• "Robin Hood" (anonymous)

Each engraving is an original composition, born from Jaquet's deep dive into these literary worlds. The artist's process is a study in dedication: he reads each novel, immerses himself in various adaptations, and then distills the essence of the story into a single, powerful image.

Craftsmanship Under Constraint

The creation of these timepieces is a delicate dance between artistic vision and technical limitations. The dial plate, which serves as Jaquet's canvas, varies in thickness, demanding an intimate understanding of the medium. "It's akin to painting on a canvas with hidden depths and shallows," Jaquet explains. "One must feel the material, understand its secrets, to truly bring out its beauty."

MB&F's engineers rose to the challenge, redesigning elements of the Legacy Machine Split Escapement to maximize the engraving space. The result is a harmonious blend of horological innovation and artistic expression.

The Devil in the Details

What truly sets these pieces apart is the level of detail Jaquet manages to imbue in each engraving. Under magnification, new worlds unfold. In "The Three Musketeers," a lively sword fight comes to life, complete with spectators on a distant balcony. "Robinson Crusoe" reveals a poignant detail - tally marks on a wooden cross, visible only through a loupe, a testament to the isolation of the castaway.

"These engravings are not merely illustrations," says a prominent collector who wishes to remain anonymous. "They are portals to the worlds we fell in love with as children, now brought to life through the magic of haute horlogerie."

A Symphony of Textures

Jaquet's mastery extends beyond mere representation. His manipulation of the metal surface creates a symphony of textures that play with light, bringing depth and movement to static scenes. Polished and matte surfaces interplay, creating contrasts that breathe life into the miniature tableaux.

The Ultimate Gentleman's Timepiece

For the discerning gentleman who appreciates both literary classics and horological masterpieces, these MB&F x Eddy Jaquet creations represent the pinnacle of artistic watchmaking. Each timepiece is accompanied by Jaquet's original sketch and a Loupe System X6 macro lens, inviting the owner to embark on a journey of discovery with each glance at the wrist.

As we hold these masterpieces in our hands, we're reminded of the words of William Faulkner: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." Through the artistry of Eddy Jaquet and the innovation of MB&F, the classics live on, ticking away on our wrists, inviting us to lose ourselves in their intricate details and timeless stories.