What a Blast
Launch off from your desk into outer space with the MB&F Astrograph, says Yanni Tan
rom intergalactic travel and aviation to science fiction and automobiles, the themes that revolve around MB&F are essentially the childhood fantasies of founder Maximilian Büsser. More than just a radically creative outfit that produces its now-iconic wristwatch collections termed Horological Machines and Legacy Machines, MB&F has also built a reputation over the years for dreaming up an impressive line-up of fantastical design objets d’art inspired by the same themes, in collaboration with various traditional Swiss craftsmanship maisons. Also called Machines, these complicated and often tongue-in-cheek kinetic sculptures or mini robots take the form of music boxes made in partnership with Reuge, and clocks with L’epée 1839. The latest of such an effort is the MB&F Astrograph, a writing instrument inspired by space exploration, in collaboration with yet another heritage Swiss institution, Caran d’ache, which was founded in 1915 and manufactures art and drawing materials, office supplies, and luxury writing instruments and accessories. is renowned for its impeccable quality and technical sophistication, took on the project with enthusiasm. The result, after four years of gestation and discussions: an exceptional writing instrument with a futuristically designed body comprising a total of 99 components and a host of innovative features. These include the vertical stabilisation system, launch pad box and magnetic figurine. The epitome of perfection in design and production, each writing instrument takes 500 manual operations to manufacture, and has the honour of being the most complex ever made.