Reviewed by Johan Kruger
(SAFOLs Member, jhbLUG Member)
Probably one of the more debated sets in recent times. This set originated from the Lego ideas initiative and was one of the sets voted in and approved be produced. As the builder said this nostalgic build inspired by a timeless tradition practiced by craftsman the world over for centuries. Hailing from a time when exploration, worldwide trade, and the rise and fall of empires relied upon mighty sailing ships. At some point, a few of the men who crewed these great ships began using old bottles, pieces of whalebone, string and various other scrap materials to create ships in bottles. Sold in ports around the world or given to loved ones these small works of art have fascinated and bewildered viewers ever since. After finishing this build I can clearly see this inspiration in the look and feel of the final set. Yes, the ship is smaller and the bottle as well but I love the overall look and feel of the new design using a bottle more similar in size to a normal wine bottle.
Starting with the box itself, it was well designed and I love the box art. Moving inside it contains 4 numbered bags. The booklet being from the Lego Ideas line also contains an introduction to the builder and the set.
Even for collectors of LEGO® Bricks, this set contains many new parts in rare colours. Fourty eight Trans-Clear 1×1 headlight bricks, where previously there were 1 or 2 in a few sets. Four 6×9 Trans-Clear Corner Convex Panel with Curved Top, last produced in the 90 `s for the LEGO® Paradisa Poolside Paradise and some Educator sets. 1×1 Rounded plate with handle in dark brown and pearl also in just a few other sets and lastly the 2×2 earth globe, only in 3 other sets.
The set start with the little ship. It has a lot of interesting details to build with only a few repetitive items. It is actually a very nice little set with 3 rows of cannons. I instantly decided to do a small MOC (My Own Creation) as well and added cannonballs being fired as per the original set design.
The next item in the build is the bottle. This set is composed of just trans-clear bricks and has a strange beauty to it. Especially the bottle bottom that almost looks like a piece of modern art. It did feel at times like I was building the UCS Wonder Woman Invisible Jet.
The last part of the bottle is the most difficult (Bag 3), inserting the 284 trains light blue round plates.
This also happens to the best sound of the year.
The bottle is finished off with a premium looking bottle cap complete with wax seal tile.
The last part of the set is building the bottle holder. This is mostly composed of dark brown bricks and is a perfect fit for the bottle and an upgrade from the original design of the LEGO® Ideas submission. It also keeps the whole bottle sturdy. The design features a central compass that is a bit hard to see with the ship on the stand as well as two earth globes. Lastly, the ships name ” The Leviathan” is proudly displayed on the stand.
Overall I really enjoyed the build along with the look and feel of the final product. It is now proudly resting on my bookcase and looks like a really premium set and can find a place in anyone’s home or office.
If anyone is still in doubt about getting this set, its last little benefit is that it is LEGO® and you can change it as you see fit. The bottle is excellent for MOCs, from upgrading the ship to many other forms including making it a Pirate ship or just placing something else in a bottle. Whether you are a Star Wars fan with a mini AT-AT or Millennium Falcon in a bottle, a race car with a Ford Mustang in a bottle or just playing around.
” AAAGH Superman why do I have to clean again”
