When two French creatives of this caliber get together, the only possible outcome is a clock of the quality and stature of the recently introduced KB2 (short for “Kontwaz Bauhaus 2”). A collaboration between renowned watch designer Alain Silberstein and the founder and director of the Utinam Besançon clock manufacture, Philippe Lebru, this imposing, colorful timekeeper would be a landmark item in anyone’s home.
Alain Silberstein x Philippe Lebru KB2 Clock
Unmistakably recognizable are the Silberstein primary colors and geometrical shapes visible on the clock. Upon closer inspection, fans of French clockmaking may also recognize the Utinam movement designed by clockmaker Philippe Lebru.
Alain Silberstein x Philippe Lebru KB2 Clock
Of the two nonconformist creatives from Besançon, Silberstein is the more famous in the watch industry. Please find a rundown of his career in My First Auction Purchase: Alain Silberstein Pendant Watch. Lebru has been professionally making his clocks in the horological city of Besançon since 1993. His work is usually somewhat more understated than the KB2.
Besançon, located in France’s Franche-Comté region, was a listed UNESCO World Heritage site even before the organization made mechanical watchmaking an intangible cultural heritage in 2020.
The duo has made only 88 KB2 clocks, which are being exhibited and sold through the M.A.DGalleries of Geneva, Taipei, and Dubai.
Alain Silberstein x Philippe Lebru KB2 Clock in the Geneva M,A.DGallery
For more information, please visit www.shop.madgallery.ch/products/kb2-lebru-x-silberstein.
Quick Facts Alain Silberstein x Philippe Lebru KB2 Clock
Measurements: 25 cm x 53 cm x 131 cm (wall clock), 38.5 cm x 53 cm x 200 cm (tall clock)
Materials: stainless steel, brass, aluminum
Weight: 20 kg (wall clock), 50 kg (tall clock)
Movement: 0.5 Hz (one-second) pendulum clock with seven-day power reserve; 161 components; 3,600 vph/0.5 Hz frequency, weight 6 kg on steel cable
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
Limitation: 88 pieces
Price: CHF 21,500/€22,000 (wall clock); CHF 26,900/€27,400 (tall clock); all prices incl. VAT
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You only charge so much because it is LIMITED, so why limit ? Sad.
well stated, Ray.
Imagine if they made a model at 1/10 the price as a high-end competitor to the Mondaine Swiss Rail clock. Rather ironic that one of the suggested links at the end of the article details the struggles Of independent watchmakers. Beautiful functional art, so I wish them well!