Hasta La Ideas

Kinetic art and horological design at MB&F’s recently opened boutique in the heart of Geneva

The collective group of timepiece innovators and artisans at MB&F have created a new way to showcase their yearly masterpieces alongside some of the world’s most equally elaborate pieces of kinetic art in Geneva’s recently opened M.A.D. Gallery (M.A.D. stands for Mechanical Art Devices). Although each piece is for sale, they have styled the space as more of a gallery than a boutique, displaying items on pedestals and against stark walls.

The gallery, which has opened just in time for the upcoming Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, will stock MB&F’s complete line of Horological Machines, along with a carefully curated collection of some of the world’s more unconventional examples of engineering, each sharing a common thread of unconventional design. These represent some of the mechanical art devices sourced from around the world that give the gallery its name.

Resembling some kind of science fiction creature, Frank Buchwald’s Machine Lights are inspired by art, architecture and natural form. The designer draws on his artistic background as an illustrator and painter in the development of his lighting designs, each of which was chosen for its high-end finishing and unparalleled creativity—two important factors that draw a parallel with MB&F’s design ethos.

The UK-based design firm Laikingland created Fingers, an “eternally tapping” replication of the artist’s own hand in cold-cast aluminum. Limited to just 25 pieces, the curious, battery-powered device is made entirely of a motor, steel and aluminum.

Sculptures by Xia Hang buck the generally accepted “do not touch” rule by encouraging interaction with the works’ audience. The stainless steel sculptures can be disassembled and reassembled for an endless amount of extension possibilities.

MB&F’s latest Horological piece, the new Legacy Machine No. 1 is also on display at M.A.D. This extravagant timepiece features a three-dimensional movement consisting of 279 components (including 23 jewels). For an in-depth look at what the M.A.D. Gallery aims to achieve, watch their comprehensive video.

M.A.D. Gallery

Rue Verdaine 11

Geneva, Switzerland