Our Take

WHEN 1950s RACE CARS MEET SWISS WATCHMAKING

L’Epée 1839 takes us behind the wheel of the Time Fast. This vintage-inspired race car and a modern clock in one is a kinetic sculpture that tells the time.

It was designed by Georg Foster, a promising young newcomer and major contributor to this second collaboration between ECAL (Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne) and the Swiss manufacture.

The Story

For all generations, classic 50s cars are firmly ingrained in the collective subconscious and imagination. Single-seaters boasting a sleek design, fluid lines and assertive aerodynamics, they fuel many a dream.

Time Fast, which was designed by Georg Foster while he was a master’s student at ECAL, draws inspiration from a dream of becoming a race driver, or simply the desire to experience the thrills of speed. To create this realistically proportioned mechanical sculpture, he drew on his childhood memories to add symbols and representations, such as boards, bodywork and steering wheels.

A fan of motorsport, Georg remembers the typical sound of the smoldering engines and the metallic clicking that follows a mad race, almost echoing the tick-tock of Time Fast D8’s escapement.

The shaping and production were entirely entrusted to the manufacture’s passionate teams, predominantly comprised of automotive enthusiasts. With the exception of the raw aluminum casting, the crystals and the jewels, which are sourced from elsewhere, every piece has passed through the hands of the twenty or so experts within the L’Epée 1839 workshops.

Insights

The engine consists of a tiered movement with an 8-day power reserve that was entirely developed to hug the curves of the bodywork.

The hours and minutes are displayed on the side through an aperture resembling a typical competition number, via two engraved stainless steel disks. On the other side of the chassis is the advertising spot, the characteristic circle on iconic race cars, which can be optionally customized to create a personalized car, by means of an engraving, for example (the L’Epée 1839 logo comes as standard).

In the cockpit, the car’s steering wheel, which has been specially designed to incorporate the time-setting wheel, can be used to adjust the time if the engine ever breaks down. Located in the driver’s seat, a counterclockwise adjustment adjusts the time, while clockwise adjustment can be used to reposition the steering wheel once the correct time is set.

Time Fast D8 needs to be filled up (with mechanical energy) once every week. The mechanical movement's barrel is wound by moving the wheels in reverse to provide the car with the power it requires to remain fully functional. Meanwhile drive mode is simply designed to provide unimpeded delight.

The Details

Brand: L'EPEE 1839

Model: TIME FAST D8 in White with Blue Stripes

Exclusive Limited Edition: Time Fast D8 is produced in a limited edition of 100 pieces per color (seven color versions available)

Design & Display:

• Hours and minutes display
• Inspired from 1950 Formula one racing cars
• Full bodywork in aluminum as in every racing car at the time, H-shape car frame
• Automotive laquers
• Blown glass dome to simulate the driver’s helmet
• 289 Components

Dimensions & Weight:

• 38.5 cm long x 16 cm wide x 12 cm high
• Weight: 4.7 kg

Movement:

• Tiered mechanical movement
• L’Epée 1839 1855 MHD in-house caliber
• Power reserve 8 days

Materials & Finishing:

• Nickel and palladium-plated brass, stainless steel,
• Blown glass dome
• Front and rear bodywork in aluminum
• Spoked rims in stainless steel
• Tires in hard-wearing rubberPolishing and sand-blasting, satin-finished parts
• Painted bodywork (Automotive paint)

Features:

• Construction and materials inspired from the Automotive
• Time set via counterclockwise rotation of the steering wheel
• The clock is wound using the rear wheels, carefully wind the movement like a pull-back toy car.
• Each color reminds a specific racing team / auto brand