Like the tick tick ticking of the intertwined gears on a mechanical wristwatch, it’s been a minute since we have seen a new puzzle from Christophe Laronde, the reclusive genius behind some truly brilliant puzzle box creations.

“We come in peace” or “Take me to your leader”? Which side of the alien invasion theory are you on? You’d better decide quickly, because TETRA has arrived and you’ll need a plan!

It should come as no surprise that I am particularly fond of “meta” objects, which embrace this world I dwell in each week – puzzle boxes that are themselves about writing, or stories, or, of course, spirits

Lodeve, in the south of France within the Occitania region, is distinguished for its lush green hills and vineyards.

Christophe has a mind full of artistic visions, and each of his unique productions has taken inspiration from an identifiable source and story which he meticulously brings to life in his incredible way. Despite the clear and obvious influence of MC Escher’s “Relativity” on his newest masterpiece, Architecto, the roots for this creation began elsewhere.

We are taking a journey this week back in time and place, to ancient Greece and the realm of the great heroes and gods.

Self described French “Visionary Architect” Luc Schuiten penned a series of groundbreaking and provocative graphic novellas in the early two thousands, which formed the “Hollow Grounds” trilogy.

The “Mecanigma” box is a surreal fantasy inspired by “steampunk” which features an explosion of mechanisms, gears, levers and knobs crafted from veneered wood, plastic, steel and brass.