Travel

10 MIND-BLOWING GIFTS OF TIME NOW

Courtesy of MB&F. Horological Machine N°6 aka Space Pirate.

Today is all about the gift of time. We’ve curated an incredible collection for you.

1. SPACE PIRATE

Geneva-based MB&F makes timepieces that are out of this world. So it’s no surprise that they gave their Horological Machine N°6 timepiece the nickname “Space Pirate,” hearkening back to 1970’s Japanese cartoons.

The organic curved lines this watch case derives from an early 20th century art movement labelled "biomorphism," based on the naturally occurring shapes and forms found in nature and living creatures.

There are four spinning turbines in the two sapphire crystal bubbles at one end of the case, while the bubbles at the other end house the time indicators which spin atop ruby bearings. Each dome was first machined from a solid block of sapphire crystal.

The central dome houses a 60-second flying tourbillon, the precision regulator of HM6'sEngine.

The titanium-cased Space Pirate is available only as a limited edition of just 50 pieces.

Watch this baby move in this awesome video.

2. THREE TRAIN CLOCK

The Three Train Clock, from Dent, is an extraordinary Skeleton Clock that features individually hewn solid brass clock plates, gilded in 18 carat gold. Each part of its intricate mechanism is made and finessed by hand.

The eight-day movement is a masterful work of engineering elegance. Its chiming train operates a pinned drum and hammer assembly which can be set to play Westminster or Whittington and St Michael chimes on a hand tuned octave of cast bells, as it delivers striking train sounds every hour on a ninth tenor bell.

The limited edition production included on 50 pieces. Each handcrafted clock took 9 months to complete on a hand tuned octave of cast bells, whilst the striking train sounds the hours on a ninth tenor bell.

Traditional blued hands and indicators, the mirrored finished escape pallet, the levers and racks, all flaunt superlative artistry. It’s makes a beautiful gift for any timepiece aficionado.

3. D105 & D119

In most clocks, the propulsive element (think motor, weight, etc.) is hidden. Volanus turns this convention on its head, featuring the clock motor prominently and beautifully in the D105 and D119.

Using magnetic pistons, the motor can operate visibly and silently. The beautiful time disk rotates on exposed gearing, providing a fluid, stunning, movement.

These watches make beautiful gifts for your favorite gearheads.

4. MANIFOLD CLOCK

Time is linear and directional, but can it be more? The Manifold Clock, by Studio Ve, brings new dimensionality to time. The clock’s hands are connected by a flexible sheet, creating unique 3D visuals that constantly change.

It is a gift well worth watching from a number of perspectives.

5. ATMOS

The Atmos Hermes Clock is a three-part collaboration between luxury brands Hermes, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Saint-Louis. The clock mechanism sits inside a magnificent crystal bubble. It’s an objet d’art.

More than just a pretty face, this clock is an incredible piece of technology. This is the only mechanical timepiece in the world that doesn’t require hand-winding. Instead, it uses changes in the surrounding temperature to interact with a gas-filled capsule which expands and contracts to wind the movement.

The Atmos is a perfect gift for geeks and fashionistas alike.

6. CLOCK 15 DAYS

Clock 15 Days was produced by a beautiful partnership between Parmigiani Fleurier and Lalique. Both parties were tested beyond their normal range of capabilities.

The five crystal panels have been adorned with the typical Lalique motif, the fountain of Coutard, which represents rebirth, renewal, and life, reminiscent of both Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles.

The workmanship of the mechanisms is a marvel too, with Maltese cross stopwork for the power reserve indicator on the outside.

The clock comes in three colors: deep blue, red, and elegant white. Only 15 examples of each will be made, making these incredible timepieces extremely rare.

7. STARFLEET MACHINE CLOCK

Inspired by Star Trek, this half-sculpture-half-clock time machine looks like it comes from a galaxy far, far, away. The Starfleet Machine Clock by MB&F has hour and minute indicators that lie beneath a polished glass dome, along with the second indicators, which look like double fly-out cannons. It is ringed in radical looking palladium treated brass.

It’s a marvelous gift for an elegant trekkie friend.

8. XTREM-1

The XTrem-1, by Christophe Claret, is undeniably a beautiful piece of time-keeping machinery. It is not at all obvious.

This watch displays the hours and minutes with levitating magnetic balls instead of traditional hands. Magnetic sliders inside the face move up and down, attracting the balls, showing the current hour and minute. A 60-second Tourbillon at the bottom of the dial displays the seconds.

Gift this to a friend who is into beautiful magic.

9. H1 TITANIUM BLACK DLC

HYT makes beautiful watches, all featuring its signature time indication mechanism. Instead of traditional hands, or a digital display, the H1 Titanium Black DLC uses fluid dynamics. As time passes, the vials fill up with green liquid. Two bellows control its flow.

A turning water turbine displays each passing second.

If you are madly in love with a mad scientist, this is your go-to gift of time.

10. BUTTERFLY WATCH

This beautiful Butterfly Watch, from Graff, embodies style, simplicity, elegance, and luxury. The face of the watch contains 131 exquisite diamonds and one emerald. The white gold case contains 31 more diamonds, and the buckle houses 21 more! Two stunning emerald butterflies anchor the bezel. A black satin band ties everything together very nicely.

It’s an extravagant gift that is sure to produce an even more extravagant smile.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Gifts in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 12.28.2014. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!