PUZZLE BOXES

French company NKD Puzzle produces enigma boxes, whose works are a combination of engineering mechanisms wrapped in an uber- cool aesthetic.

Something must be said about the allure of cracking puzzles for people in general and more so for those in the public eye. NKD counts South Korean actors among its clientele, but is not at liberty to reveal their names. We reckon people turn to them as a stress-reliever or way to escape the real world.

Founders Christophe Laronde and Julien Vigouroux share a passion for fantasy. Take the Scriptum Cube (picture, above right), for instance. A mesmerising puzzle box inspired by the

Iliad and the Odyssey – Homer’s epic poems in Greek – it alludes to the myth that Daedalus (mentioned in the

Iliad) built a labyrinth to house the raging Minotaur, and puzzle solvers have to “reach the labyrinth” – meaning open the box – in 18 movements.

Ancient Greek text is laser engraved on the surface of this poplar wood box with beech wood marquetry.

Although less than a year old, the level of precision and skill of NKD’s craft is evident and that’s because Laronde and Vigouroux have been doing this in a personal capacity for 10 years.

Its most expensive enigma box to date is the Mecanigma (picture, above left), a stunning steampunk-inspired puzzle covered with knobs, levers and gears. Featuring articulated mechanisms, it opens in 15 steps and features a combination lock. Solving it is guaranteed to give you a rush. The price: 3,000 euros (S$ 4,700).

NKD is currently working on Architecto – a puzzle that pays homage to Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher. We can’t wait.