Robotoys from MB&F
What does MB&F mean to you? Very little? It certainly did to me until I came across some of the most astonishing machines. MB&F specialises in incredibly advanced time keeping instruments, and I don’t use this term lightly.
These are not watches that you would wear when picking up some plywood at the local hardware store, nor is it something you would possibly ever wear at all. It’s not just wrist watches either, but desk clocks, robot-like toys that display your watch, and everything in between. That takes the brand in to to realms of toys for the super-rich which can often feel a little elitist or alienating when you’re on the outside of it. But what is admirable is the almost museum gallery like presentation on the website, so we can all admire these fancy toys. |
We all love to admire that super car, fancy boat or even the pure accomplishment of sending people into space, regardless of how phallus shaped that rocket might be. What is different here is that these machines bring smiles to our faces and would be just as home in a a modern art museum as in somebody’s home. If I had the money, I would absolutely be pining for the “Horological Machine No.9”, the “Starfleet Explorer” and don’t’ even get me started on the ”Melchior”…
So I sadly do not have any of these stunning creations to write about and photograph, but something far more attainable in the Robotoy from MB&F’s own so called MAD gallery, meaning Mechanical Art Devices. This little friend is constructed to hold your watch on your desk and make you smile whilst doing so. |
What does the robot do? Just hold your watch? Ok then..
This will obviously not be a review as such, but more of a presentation of this Little Friend.
First impression is the heft of the device. Picking it up for the first time, it feels solid and quite heavy. It’s more in line with the toys of old that were not made of plastic or the cheapest possible sheet metal. Thought and quality craftsmanship has gone into this. Would it be nice if it said hello to you in the mornings? Sure. |
The hands can be arranged in any way you want with individual finger joints. Since I am both a man and childish, the first test obviously had to be flipping the bird to whomever wants to look the little friend that is now all of a sudden not so friendly. Perhaps a better use of its features is using the forefinger to indicate a clever statement about to emerge or even some southern European influenced gesticulating.
Its little feet are also fairly poseable and you could present it as about to take a step forward or backwards. The heel and toes can be bent to oppose each other which since they are covered by rubber, also makes slightly more firmly planted on your desk. The metal piping or springs that surround its joints do look like oil or electricity flowing through the machine, but obviously serves no other purpose than looking good. |
The sides of the body is the most plain and uninteresting of the whole device, I would have liked something fun here too like some engravings perhaps, but I appreciate it’s not the main focal point. This brings us to what is – the cradle that holds your watch.
A word of warning. This little machine is not exactly the most stable device on your desk and could easily be knocked over. If you do, then both the cradle and your watch might go to infinity and beyond, or at least to your local body shop for repolishing. The holder rests loosely in the grooves of the body, which do go fairly deep and won’t fail the holder unless knocked over but if you do, it seems destined to fall out so you would want to be very careful here! |
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The holder itself is made of quality sponge like material that should last for a long time and would in no way at all leave marks or residue on your time piece. It seems easily replaceable if it does wear down or even if you want to replace it with something else, ie. Leather.
With no watch in place, the little friend reminds me of the fork lift in ‘Aliens’ that Ridley uses to both move goods around and alien queens around with ease, whilst looking badass doing so. With a watch mounted, it takes on a whole new look. It has a face now and it’s one that you’re likely to enjoy looking at since you know, we’re here since we like wrist watches. Again, if you mount something like this heavy Seiko Arnie, the weight distribution could make things a little hairy, but perhaps more so if you’re mounting an actual MB&F time piece that certainly do not look either light or evenly weight distributed. It's definitely fun to change up the look with different looking wathes, but proceed with caution or at least a soft surface. |
These little things do come up for sale every now and then and sell out quickly when they do. It’s a little cheaper than the other uber expensive toys since it’s not branded and also, let’s be honest, not particularly advanced but if you want a share of MB&F and you have a sense of humour then I really feel it should have a place in every watch lovers display area.
Hope you enjoyed this rundown and do have a look at the website for some fun mechanical pieces of all kinds.
Cheers,
Esbjorn
Hope you enjoyed this rundown and do have a look at the website for some fun mechanical pieces of all kinds.
Cheers,
Esbjorn