A Swiss watch manufacturer that pioneers in creating incredible horological machines celebrates its 10th anniversary by designing Melchior. It is essentially a time-telling robotic table clock which has been presented in 2015 under the theme:”A creative adult is a child who survived”. 
Created with L’Epée 1839, Switzerland’s only specialized high-end clock manufacture, MB&F’s 10th anniversary piece Melchior is not only an impressive kinetic robot which may remind one of of their childhood dreams, but also an impeccably finished, 480-component mechanical table clock. 
Debuted at Baselworld 2015, the robot stands almost 12 inches tall with his smart steel and brass armor, enigmatic glint in his eyes, animated brain and muscular and articulated arms. Look closer and Melchior can be defined as a majestic high-end table clock featuring jumping hours, sweeping minutes, double retrograde seconds eyes and an impressive 40-day power reserve; a tribute to the most refined classic clock and watchmaking.
The clock regulator’s gentle beating and intricate composition are made visible thanks to its polished glass dome cover. While the roboclock’s protective dome acts like a skull, the regulator symbolizes his brain at work. The retrograde action of Melchior’s expressive eyes marks off intervals of 20 seconds, endowing the robot with a hint of endearing human-like personality.
Maximilian Büsser developed the concept with designer Xin Wang, selecting a high-end L’Epée clock movement and reimagining it as the mechanical head and torso of a robot. While the robot will keep a tab on time, it can also be played with as Melchior’s steel upper arms rotate and his lower arms pivot up or down. Furthermore, his left arm detaches and doubles as the winding/setting key for the movement.
Limited to just 99 pieces, Melchior is available in a monochromatic ‘light’ edition or a two-tone ‘dark and light’ edition featuring black PVD-treated components. Though MB&F’s Melchior weighs 6.3 kg on scale, it will weigh $36,700 on your wallet too! The makers state that the delivery starts in May.
