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To celebrate 15 years of M.A.D.Gallery, MB&F has once again taken mechanics into one of those unexpected territories it knows so well. This time, it has teamed up with French watchmaking house Maison Alcée to introduce Nostromo, a table clock that arrives completely disassembled and invites its owner to build it from scratch.
Maison Alcée was founded in 2021 with the idea of bringing the watchmaker’s craft closer to enthusiasts. Its first project, Persée, already offered owners the opportunity to assemble a mechanical clock themselves. Nostromo now brings that concept into the MB&F universe through a design created by the brand’s Creative Designer, Maximilian Maertens.
The inspiration becomes clear at first glance. Its three legs, exposed mechanical architecture and unusual proportions give Nostromo an almost extraterrestrial appearance. The name is no coincidence either. Nostromo was the spacecraft in the first Alien film, while Maertens counts the work of H.R. Giger among his major influences.
ALCEE & BENOIT MONTFORT
Photo courtesy of MB&F
Photo courtesy of MB&F
The project becomes even more interesting once the box is opened. Nostromo consists of 222 components and was designed so that even someone with no previous watchmaking experience can assemble it in approximately ten hours. Only the regulating organ comes pre-assembled. The kit includes all the necessary tools and a 250-page illustrated manual, along with QR codes providing access to additional video instructions.
Once completed, the clock displays hours, minutes and seconds, features an hourly chime that can be switched on or off, and delivers an impressive 14-day power reserve.
Crafted from stainless steel, brass and German silver, Nostromo weighs 760 grams and will be limited to just 50 pieces. A fittingly MB&F way to celebrate 15 years of M.A.D.Gallery. This time, before enjoying the machine, you have to build it.
