Space isn’t empty, it’s filled by imagination!
L’Epée was founded in 1839, initially to make music box and watch components, by Auguste L’Epée, who set up the
business near Besançon, France. The L’Epée hallmark was that all parts were made entirely by hand. Today, it is the
premiere watch manufacture in Switzerland dedicated to making high-end clocks.
Last year, L’Epée re-imagined Destination Moon, a clock initially launched at Baselworld Watch and Jewelry Fair 2017.
Conceived by MB&F and built by L’Epée 1839, Switzerland’s premier clock maker, Destination Moon is the
quintessential torpedo-shaped rocket of childhood dreams. Hours and minutes are displayed on large diameter
stainless steel discs with stamped numerals. While the legibility of the time display is not in question, focusing on the
time rather than the spectacular, vertically-structured, open movement is likely to require deep concentration.
“Some things are best left to the imagination and MB&F’s Destination Moon does just that. It delivers just enough
engineering for an eight-day clock looking like an exciting science fiction rocket from the 1960s, but with plentiful empty space allowing our imaginations to fill in the details.” – L’Epée 1839.
Developed specifically for Destination Moon, the architecture of L’Epée’s eight-day movement follows the basic design of a real spaceship. Power in a rocket comes from its base; the power for L’Epée Destination Moon clock comes from the oversized winding crown in its base. The management and control systems of a rocket are above the power source; the same holds true for L’Epée Destination Moon luxury table clock, which has a vertical regulator controlling precision below the time display, as well as atime-setting knob at the top of the movement. That eye-catching regulator with its animated balance is protected from cosmic radiation (and curious fingers) by a small panel of virtually invisible mineral glass.
Despite its ethereal openwork construction, at four kilograms (nine pounds) Destination Moon is no lightweight: its
solid landing pods ensure that it will not easily be knocked off course (or knocked over).
Destination Moon’s highlight is Neil, a space-suited figurine forged in solid silver and stainless steel, magnetically
attached to the ladder connecting the crown to the movement.
“Neil is the astronaut flying Destination Moon to exotic worlds, but more importantly, Neil imparts a childlike sense of wonder by putting man into the machine,” said L’Epée 1839 watch manufacture.
Destination Moon clock was manufactured in 5 limited editions of 50 pieces each in black, green, blue and red, plus
palladium (silver).
