MB&F Gallery Marks 15 Years With Solar Orbiter Watch Winder

MB&F's M.A.D. Gallery is celebrating its 15th anniversary by unveiling the Solar Orbiter Watch Winder, a new creation by British designer Martin Smith. Smith, a pioneering contributor to the gallery known for his kinetic sculptures, designed the piece to commemorate the gallery's milestone. The Solar Orbiter is a functional watch winder and a mechanical sculpture, standing 60cm tall and constructed from over 300 handmade components. These components are made from materials including steel, aluminum, brass, and carved wood.

The design incorporates interchangeable heart, hand, and star elements, referencing Smith's previous works and echoing the spirit of the Eames Solar Do-Nothing Machine. The winder is powered by custom electronics, operates silently, and features adjustable winding speeds, highlighting its dual purpose as both a horological accessory and a piece of kinetic art. Each of the 10 limited edition pieces will be delivered in a custom wooden crate with a screen-printed design of the sculpture and a signed, numbered certificate of authenticity.

Martin Smith previously collaborated with engineer Nick Regan under the label Laikingland, contributing whimsical mechanical sculptures such as "The Applause Machine" to the M.A.D. Gallery. The gallery's 15th anniversary celebrations aim to showcase MB&F's philosophy of viewing horology as an art form. The Solar Orbiter Watch Winder is presented as a rare collector's item that embodies this vision.