At first glance the time appears to be indicated by centrally rotating triangular rotors; however, the triangles are actually Reuleaux polygons; they rotate eccentrically rather than centrally and track complex epitrochroid curves rather than circles. The system was inspired by the Wankel engine, which features orbital Reuleaux polygon rotors rather than the reciprocating pistons that power the majority of our cars and machines today.
About
The Collab'
by MB&F and URWERK
Insights
The case
The case is made of Zirconium which is highly resistant to corrosion. This material is rarely used in watchmaking due to the extreme requirements involved in machining this high-risk material.
The curves
The Reuleaux polygon rotors tracing epitrochoid curves create the complex shape of the hour and minute curves with high precision required the plotting of 180 separate points.
The indications
Hours and minutes are indicated with two Wankel engine-inspired eccentric rotating Reuleaux polygons : hours by the lower rotor along the front of the 'dial', minutes by the smaller upper rotor.
Variations
C3H5N3O9
C3H5N3O9 (the chemical formula of Nitroglycerine) is a platform created by Felix Baumgartner, Maximilian Büsser, Martin Frei and Serge Kriknoff to experiment with concepts, ideas and creations without the inherent constraints of a luxury brand.