Permanent Collection

I Robot: Le truc Assembles HM12 The Guardian for MB&F

Posted on Friday, June 26, 2026

Geneva and Paris-based CG studio le truc launch the latest functional art piece from Maximilian Busser and his luxury watch and clock brand MB&F with an arresting combination of sleek visuals and visceral sound design.

Fabrice Rabhi, head of creative at le truc: “The brief was to create a film that would express the singular identity of HM12 The Guardian, at the crossroads of contemporary watchmaking and a more expressive, character-driven mechanical object.

“Drawing from the shared memory of 80s and 90s robot kits, the film reinterprets the act of assembly as a storytelling device — transforming a technical process into a moment of discovery, where each component contributes to revealing the personality and presence of the object.

“Drawing from the shared memory of 80s and 90s robot kits, the film reinterprets the act of assembly as a storytelling device.”

“One of the main creative and technical challenges was to articulate the extreme complexity of the piece — over 1,500 components — while maintaining clarity, rhythm, and visual engagement.

“CGI became essential to orchestrate this progressive reveal, allowing us to move seamlessly between macro and micro scales and highlight each detail with precision. At the same time, we sought to avoid a purely demonstrative approach by embedding this complexity within a rich sensory framework.

“The overall environment — balancing references between futuristic laboratories, contemporary exhibition spaces, and 80s pop culture — helped anchor the piece in a space where technical rigor meets imagination, resulting in a film that is as much about sensation as it is about structure.”

Images

A symmetrical arrangement of various mechanical parts and components, including blue plates, metallic gears, bolts, and brackets—reminiscent of MB&F's HM12 design—laid out on a dark surface and illuminated by overhead lights. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Abstract image of a symmetrical, robotic structure inspired by the MB&F HM12 The Guardian robot time piece launch film by le truc studio, with scattered mechanical parts on a white background, evoking a futuristic technological inkblot. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Close-up of a futuristic, high-end MB&F mechanical watch with exposed gears and intricate metallic components, featuring blue accents and a complex, symmetrical design inspired by Assembles HM12 and I Robot aesthetics. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Three humanoid robots with glowing neon outlines in green and blue evoke an I Robot vibe as they stand against a dark background, their illuminated features and reflections channeling MB&F’s futuristic, high-tech aesthetic. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Three futuristic humanoid robots stand side by side in a brightly lit, modern room with a reflective floor. Channeling the advanced style of I Robot, their metallic bodies and glowing blue accents make them appear powerful and cutting-edge. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Credits

Client: MB&F

Production: le truc
Head of Creative: Fabrice Rabhi
Head of Motion Design: Albin Merle, Romain Delaunay
Creative/Film Direction: Romain Delaunay
Technical Superviser: Cyril Muller
Producer: Joy Corthesy
Rigging/Setup: Jacques Blayo
3D Design: Albin Merle, Romain Delaunay, Jacques Blayo
CG artist: Xavier André, Alexandre Crusciel
Making of: Luka Nater

Sound Design/Mix: Liam Phan
Music: Letra “Interstellar”

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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Category: 3D Style, Brand film, CG, Featured, Motion Design · Tags: Albin Merle, le truc, MB&F, Romain Delaunay