L’EPEE 1839 BALTHAZAR User manual

USER INSTRUCTIONS
BALTHAZAR

You have just acquired one of the most advanced time-
pieces born from a partnership between
La Manufacture L’Épée 1839 and MB&F.
Balthazar has been developed with passion and care by
the Master Watchmakers of L’Épée 1839 in Delémont
- Switzerland.
CONGRATULATIONS

Important information
Care and maintenance
A kinetic sculpture
Hours and minutes display
The winding key
Winding the movement
The power reserve indicator
The double retrograde seconds
Setting the time
The moon phase
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CONTENT

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Please be very careful to never touch the movement of
Balthazar either on the front or on the back of the move-
ment, except the time adjustment and the winding tips
that can be touched with the winding key. It is important to
never hold Balthazar by the shoulders or the arms. Always
hold him by the legs.
Furthermore, the movement should never be in contact
with any liquids – even in vaporized form. If this occurs, the
clock should be serviced immediately.
A simple contact on certain pieces can generate delays in
timekeeping, which can only be solved by servicing.
Fingerprints will also damage the coating so always wear
gloves when manipulating the clock or wipe out the
ngerprint.
On the following pictures, the only parts which can be
cleaned and touched are those outside of the zone col-
ored in red; in case of intrusions, a service will be needed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Use only a soft and dry cloth to clean the clock. Dust and
particles contained in the cloth could scratch parts. Do not
use any kind of cleaning products to wipe the clock. It is
recommended to keep the clock distant from any source of
heat or vibrations. To preserve the longevity and function-
ality of Balthazar, do not permanently expose the clock to
direct sunlight or in a humid or dusty place.
Our clocks are developed to ensure optimal accuracy and
reliability. It is well accepted for a ne mechanical clock to
have a few seconds’ variation per day and our clocks are
set so as not to delay. However if you should notice a big-
ger variation, please contact an authorized dealer who will
advise you, or a L’Épée 1839 technical support center
which will proceed with the necessary adjustment.
As for all Horological pieces of art, it is recommended to
periodically service your clock. A mechanical masterpiece
requires ne oils for the lubrication of the movement.
These oils deteriorate over the years. We therefore advise
having the movement serviced every 5 years. Be aware that
the optimal period between servicing times can vary
depending on the surrounding environmental conditions.

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Hips: Balthazar rotates 360° in both directions – with a
notch at 180°
Arms: rotate 360° in both directions
Elbows: bend forwards – be careful not to hit the biceps
with the back of the forearm
Lower arms: rotate 360°
Fingers: on each hand, two ngers cross onto the other
three so that the hands can clasp a small object
Be careful when rotating Balthazar by the hips: make sure
the arms do not strike and scratch other parts of Balthazar’s
body.
A KINETIC SCULPTURE

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Reading the time
The hours and minutes are indicated by the arrows of the
armour, pointing on the hour and minute dials.
Special rotation of the hour dial
A special mechanism has been developed for Balthazar.
The hour dial stays on the same position during the rst 55
minutes of an hour; then the dial starts to turn slowly and
regularly (no jump) during the last 5 minutes of the hour; to
nally stop exactly at the beginning of the next hour. This
process is repeated every hour.
HOURS AND MINUTES DISPLAY
In this example it is forty-seven min-
utes past two (2h47).
The hour dial has not moved.
In this example it is fifty-eight min-
utes past three (3h58).
The hour dial has started to move.

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THE WINDING KEY
The double-depth square socket key is hidden in
Balthazar’s shield.
To remove the key, place Balthazar upright on a at surface
and pull the key straight out from its shield.
Be careful to hold its arm down to ensure that Balthazar
does not tip over or fall.
To put the key back into the shield, insert the key straight
into the dedicated slot, until the key is completely inside.
You will hear a “click” once it is secured.

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WINDING THE MOVEMENT
Place the clock upright on a at surface and insert the key
in Point A. Wind the movement with anti-clockwise rota-
tions. The movement’s ve barrels should be fully wound
every month. During the process, you will see the move-
ment’s wheels moving, allowing all ve barrels to be wound
up as they are coupled. Be sure to wind up the springs
completely. Resistance will increase as you approach the
full winding point, but continue to wind Balthazar until you
feel you have approached the breaking point (sign that the
movement is fully wound). However, be very careful to stop
before and do not force the mechanism by trying to go fur-
ther than the breaking point.
(A)
WINDING THE MOVEMENT
Anti-clockwise only

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THE POWER RESERVE INDICATOR
The dial on the left provides an intuitive view of the energy
remaining in the movement. It turns 260° anti-clockwise
acting as a gauge.
Fully wound, the marker rotates towards the right of the
gauge. During the next 35 days, the power reserve indica-
tor will progressively rotate anti-clockwise to nally end on
the left of the gauge. This indicates that the clock needs to
be wound again.
Empty power reserve
Fully wound 35-days power reserve

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THE DOUBLE RETROGRADE SECONDS
The double retrograde seconds (red circles) symbolizing
two eyes, move gradually from left to right on a cycle of 20
seconds, and then yback to their initial position.
Please make sure that nothing touches the retrograde sec-
onds function.
Initial position
Position after 20 seconds

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SETTING THE TIME
Place the clock upright on a at surface. Insert the key in
Point B on the diagram. Turn the key anti-clockwise only in
order to set the time.
(B)
TIME SETTING
Anti-clockwise only,
as indicated by the arrow
on the plate

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THE MOON PHASE
To set the moon phase, turn the toothed wheel clockwise
only. Like all mechanical clocks, you may encounter some
blockage for the ne-tuning; in this case do not force the
wheel. The wheel should move easily, so if you feel resis-
tance – even minor – move the time forward two hours and
then set the moon phase. The blockage should disappear.
The moon phase is indicated by two engraved discs on the
“bad side” of Balthazar, one with a smile, one with a skull.

L’Épée Manufacture
Rue St-Maurice 1 - P.O. Box 973
2800 Delémont - Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
After Sales Services:
Tel. +41 (0)32421 94 05
www.lepee1839.ch