MB&F founder Maximillian Busser explains the unique features of the new LM1. He then describes the creative process that helped make the LM1 timepiece a reality. He also introduces the two watchmakers MB&F worked with to create this exceptional timepiece - Kari Voutilainen and Jean-François Mojon.

MB&F introduces their first round watch, the Legacy Machine No. 1 (LM1). Inspired by 19th century timepieces, the LM1 is MB&F's most traditional watch yet. However, if you know anything about MB&F you know their timepieces are anything but traditional.

The LM1 features a number of cool design elements. The balance wheel and escapement are located on the "dial side", as opposed to the traditional "movement side" location. Suspended by two bridges, is an oversized 14 mm balance wheel which floats over the center of the dial. Underneath, is the exposed escapement. Needless to say (video below), watching the balance and escapement work in unison will be a visual treat.

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During Baselworld, MB&F allowed me to preview and photograph their newest timepiece, the HM3 Frog Zr (however, the images/text have been embargoed until today). The Frog Zr is a limited edition variation of the original HM3 Frog. The new variation features a zirconium (Zr) case that has been given a black PVD treatment and a flamboyant purple rotor. This rare HM3 Frog Zr is a limited to 18 pieces and available exclusively from MB&F's retail partners in Los Angeles, Greenwich, Mexico City, Paris, London, Interlaken, Kiev, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Taichung and Macao.

Retail TBD

Source: MB&F

At Baselworld 2011, MB&F's main introduction was the MB&F HM3 ReBel, an 18-piece limited edition version of the HM3 Sidewinder. The ReBel is made to be worn on your right wrist, which is not the correct wrist that most of us should wear our wristwatch on (it is the norm to wear a watch on the opposite wrist from the one you write with), hence the name "ReBel." The second image (above) is a gold version of the HM3, the design is a mirror image of the ReBel. The HM3 ReBel has a PVD-treated 18K white gold case. The movement is the same as the original HM3, aside from the charcoal colored plates and bridges, which are new on the ReBel. The rotor features MB&F's signature battle axe design, and is made of 22K gold.

Retail $84,000

Max Busser says:

You really have to have a strong rebel spirit to wear any MB&F creation, so when we call one of our pieces the ReBel, you know that means we are taking rebellion to a new level! ReBel: R for right (hand), B for Black (case). The black-coated ReBel is a distinctive, rock 'n roll mirror-image of the HM3 designed to be worn on the right wrist, as a few individualists out there want to do.

We think James Dean would have worn one; Billy Idol would have sang about it; and the Rebel Alliance would have fought for it!

(Click image for gallery - 6 photos)

Maximilian Busser just sent me an update on two new MB&F HM2 Sapphire Vision timepieces, they are both limited to 18 pieces, and will be the final editions to be offered of the HM2 timepiece. Below is what Max had to say:

"Rarity is one of our key values, so, after three very successful years, Horological Machine No2 takes one last bow on centre stage in 2011 with two final limited editions of only 18 pieces each!

Based on the most extreme version, the Sapphire Vision (SV) case, I am proud to introduce:

In these amazing last creations, the owner can see the whole striking 349 part movement literally suspended in between the sapphire top block and the case back. Unfortunately no photos, however good, do justice to these pieces.

Over four years and all variations, there will have been less than 200 pieces of HM2 crafted, at a rhythm of 3 to 4 pieces a month. I must admit that I am a little sad to see the last pieces of a creation, which was the first of the Machines largely inspired by my childhood science fiction crush. Having said that, this creation which is one of the pillars of our Concept Lab and has largely contributed to constructing the aura of MB&F goes out with a Bang!"

Retail TBD

Source: MB&F

(Click image for gallery - 13 photos)

Max Büsser says:

MB&F Horological Machine No4 is here! For the last three years I could not talk about this amazing piece of machinery, and it is truly a great day that I can finally share with all!

After the 311 part Engine which was unveiled in March during Basel, here is probably the most complex case in the history of horology to protect and magnify it.

Titanium and Sapphire - 150 hours of machining and polishing just for the central Sapphire case (that is close to four weeks of machining for one piece !), over 60 hours of machining and finishing for the titanium case back, etc, etc... In our twenty years of horology, this is the greatest challenge Serge Kriknoff and I have been up to.

So what is the Thunderbolt ? A tribute to Aviation... Why ? Because from the age of 8 to 12-13 I spent every free minute crafting model airplanes... They were everywhere in my room. Hanging from the ceilings, accumulating on the shelves, in the cupboards. I would spend hours assembling, modifying, painting anything which had two wings. HM4 is a very personal interpretation of what would happen if you crossed a piece of ultra high end horology with the world of aeronautics.

View all other MB&F timepieces.

Retail $158,000

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Max Busser says:
"As amazing as it could seem, I have always felt that our HM3 was a very elegant piece. So when the prototype came out two years ago, I immediately itched to create a really "whacky" version of it.

Two sketches later, the Frog was born... well in concept at least. The hour and minute gears as well as date system had to be entirely modified in the 304 part engine, the sapphire domes needed to be perfectly machined on both sides so as not deform the numbers and most difficult was to create the lightest aluminium domes possible - in this case we managed to hit 0,58g by machining them down to a thickness of 0,28mm.

The Frog is special, the Frog is rare... we will only craft 32 movements this year: a limited edition of 12 pieces in black titanium (with green gold rotor) and 20 pieces of a non-limited titanium version (with blue gold rotor)."

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