Designed by MB&F and realised by L’Epée 1839, The Fifth Element is an intergalactic horological weather station enabling accurate weather forecasting even when the power goes down.
An analogue weather station might at first glance appear anachronistic; however, when the storm hits and as doomsday approaches, the Fifth Element will still work perfectly. And, in the worst-case scenario, you may just be able to hitch a ride off planet Earth with Ross, the alien pilot.
Four (UFO) elements: clock, barometer, hygrometer, and thermometer combine in a mothership to create an entity much larger than the sum of its parts. Detachable and interchangeable, they make up The Fifth Element.
Clock Element
Because weather forecasting is based on the speed of changes over time, superior accuracy is required for meteorological observations. For the Fifth Element, L’Epée 1839 reengineered and skeletonised their 8-day clock movement to maximize transparency and visual access. The movement also features the same types of superlative fine finishing found on the finest wristwatches, including Geneva waves, bevelling, polishing, sandblasting, and circular and vertical satin finishing. However, finely finishing a clock movement is far more challenging than finishing a wristwatch because of the greater surface areas of the larger components.
Barometer Element
The barometer, which measures air pressure, is the mainstay of weather forecasting: as a general rule, increasing air pressure foretells good clear weather, decreasing air pressure portends inclement weather. The faster the change, the more extreme the coming weather.
Hygrometer Element
The hygrometer measures the percentage of water vapour in the air; it displays this as a percentage of the maximum amount of moisture that might be held at a given temperature.
Thermometer Element
Thermometers don’t simply measure temperature, but the average kinetic energy of a substance: the higher the temperature, the higher the energy. A thermometer is essentially a power reserve indication of the energy in the atmosphere around us.
While the Fifth Element attends to the serious side of weather forecasting with joyful fantasy, this space-age weather station was only made possible thanks to L’Epée 1839, which mastered the precision manufacturing of the intricate series of curves and circles within circles that make up the large structure. Over 500 individual components form the mother ship and its interchangeable Elements; more than many Grand Complications!
And there’s one more function that MB&F surreptitiously integrates into all of its machines: the ability to make you smile. For the Fifth Element, that role goes to Ross: thanks to his own manually-wound, air-regulated movement, the alien pilot rotates around the UFO’s cockpit checking that the skies are clear of both clouds and hostile invaders.
The Fifth Element is available in 3 limited editions of 18 pieces each in Black, Silver and Blue.
Technical Specifications
Black
Silver
Blue
Indications/functions
Clock (hours and minutes), barometer (air pressure), thermometer (air temperature), hygrometer (air humidity)
Complete Fifth Element
Dimensions: 376 mm in diameter x 209 mm in height
No. of components: 531
Base clockwork: no escapement, minute repeater-type governor
Materials: stainless steel, brass, bronze (alien)
Total weight: 15 kg
UFO Clock Movement
L’Epée in-house designed and manufactured, vertical architecture eight-day movement
Dimensions: 124 mm in diameter x 92 mm in height
Balance frequency: 2.5 Hz (18,000 bph)
Power reserve: 8 days from single barrel in base
Components in movement: 161
Jewels: 11
Incabloc shock protection system
Movement finishing: polishing, bead-blasting, and satin finishing
Weight: 1,35kg
UFO Barometer
Atmospheric pressure: 960 / 1060 hPa (28.4 / 31.6 in Hg)
Dimensions: 124 mm in diameter x 92 mm in height
Dial: laser engraved
Display: curved hand
Components: 73
Calibration screw-in base
Weight: 1.80 kg
UFO Thermometer
Temperature: -30° / +70° Celsius (-20° / +156°Fahrenheit)
Dimensions: 124 mm in diameter x 92 mm in height
Dial: laser engraved
Display: curved hand
Components: 46
Weight: 1.90 kg
UFO Hygrometer
Hygrometer: 0 – 100% humidity
Dimensions: 124 mm in diameter x 92 mm in height
Dial: laser engraved
Display: curved hand
Components: 46
Weight: 1.90 kg
