CIRCA: 2017
CASE MATERIAL:
Main body: Aluminium with lacquer finish
Gloss sections: White UV-resistant black lacquer
Main plate: polished brass decorated with Geneva waves. The main plate holds both movements; each movement includes a mainspring, cylinder, comb, and regulator
Mainsprings: wound via conical, grooved winding keys in the form of thrusters, in nickel-plated brass
Barrels: satin stainless steel
Regulator fans: nickel-plated brass
Cylinders: nickel-plated brass
Resonant amplifying base by JMC Lutherie: 350-year-old resonance spruce with 21st century composite materials like NomexTM honeycomb Kevlar
DIMENSIONS: 400 mm. long x 340 mm. wide x 280 mm. high
MOVEMENT: Two 3.72 movements (3 refers to number of melodies on each cylinder; 72 refers to number of notes on each comb
WITH: Original guarantee, instruction manual, presentation box and outer packaging

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie's Dubai Ltd.

Brought to you by

Bob XueSenior Specialist, Watches

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

Qxue@christies.com +971 56 838 4528

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Lot Essay

Independent watch brand MB&F celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2015 with a Star Wars-inspired music box. This TIE fighter-inspired MusicMachine 3 (MM3) is a limited edition in partnership with Reuge, the premier Swiss manufacturer of music boxes.

Lattice-like vertical wings support and protect the dual music cylinders, each playing three melodies: the theme tunes from Star Wars, Mission Impossible, and James Bond on the right and The Godfather, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, and The Persuaders on the left.
The side wings are not just ornament, they also play a vital role in propagating sound vibrations down from the combs to the naturally amplifying resonant base, manufactured by JMC Lutherie.

Powered by two independent movements mounted on the two tail sections. Each movement has its own winding key (disguised as thrusters), a mainspring barrel, horizontal cylinder with pins, and comb with hand-tuned teeth sounding each note. Each cylinder plays three melodies each. An air regulator in the form of a circular fan (resembling a rotating radar dish) governs the unwinding speed/music tempo of each cylinder.

MusicMachine 3 is a limited edition of 99 pieces: 33 pieces with white finish; 33 pieces with black finish like the present example; and 33 pieces with ‘chrome’ finish.