MB&F – Legacy Machine Flying T Onyx Edition

MB&F – Legacy Machine Flying T Onyx Yellow Gold Edition 2024

 LEGACY MACHINE FLYING T
The first MB&F Machine inspired by women

Even the most unpredictable and audaciously led lives, when observed from a distance, form patterns and fall into cycles. This is a fundamental truth that underlies all human existence, whether individual or collective. For Maximilian Büsser and MB&F, creative energy comes in seven-year cycles. It was in MB&F’s seventh year that the Legacy Machine collection was born, that the first M.A.D.Gallery opened in Geneva and opened the door to the MB&F co-creations.

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The 14th year of MB&F unveiled a new avenue of horological exploration, an evolution of creative horizons for founder and company alike: the Legacy Machine FlyingT, first launched in 2019, is the first of MB&F’s three-dimensional horological art pieces inspired by women.

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A round case in gold or platinum, with a steeply cambered bezel and slender, elongated lugs, often fully set with diamonds. A high, extravagantly convex dome of sapphire crystal rises from the bezel. Beneath the dome, a subtly curved dial plate in various finishes: liquidly black with layers of stretched lacquer, guilloché, vibrant gemstones or glittering with blazing white diamonds.

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An asymmetric ventricular opening in the dial plate frames the heart of the LM FlyingT engine – a cinematic flying tourbillon that beats at a serene rate of 2.5Hz (18,000vph). The tourbillon projects high above the rest of the engine, a kinetic, dynamic column that stops just short of the apex of the sapphire crystal dome. Affixed to the top of the upper tourbillon cage is a single large diamond that rotates simultaneously with the flying tourbillon, emitting the fiery brilliance of the very best quality stones.

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At the 7 o’clock position – another reference to the numeric theme that runs throughout LM FlyingT – is a dial of black or white lacquer (or gemstone) that displays the hours and minutes with a pair of elegant serpentine hands. The dial is inclined at a 50° tilt so that the time can be read only by the wearer, an intimate communication that highlights the personal nature of LM FlyingT.

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On the reverse, the automatic winding rotor takes the shape of a three-dimensional red gold sun with sculpted rays, providing LM FlyingT with four days of power reserve.

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The design of Legacy Machine FlyingT is replete with associations drawn from the feminine and maternal influences in Maximilian Büsser’s life. Says Büsser, “I wanted LM FlyingT to reflect the personality and qualities of the women of my family, particularly my mother. It had to combine supreme elegance with tremendous vitality. The column-like structure of the flying tourbillon was very important to me as I felt very strongly that women form the pillar of humanity. At the same time, there is another layer of meaning coming in from the sun-shaped rotor, which incorporates the element of life-giving, a source of sustenance which we gravitate towards and around.”

 Legacy Machine FlyingT was first launched in 2019 in three editions, all in white gold and set with diamonds. These were followed by two limited editions in 18K red gold and platinum, shedding their diamonds but featuring guilloché dial plates.

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Since 2020, the FlyingT collection has also hosted a special gemstone dial every year, with editions in Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Tiger Eye and ‘Cœur de Rubis’ (anyolite). The series is joined in 2024 by the sophisticated LM FlyingT Onyx edition, featuring the deep black gemstone encased in an 18k yellow gold case.

LEGACY MACHINE FLYING T IN DETAIL

INSPIRATIONS

The creative process behind Legacy Machine FlyingT started, when Maximilian Büsser began thinking about making something inspired by the feminine influences in his life. Says Büsser, “I created MB&F to do what I believe in, making three-dimensional sculptural kinetic art pieces that give the time. I was creating for myself, which is the only way we could have made all these crazy and audacious pieces over the years. But at some point there came a desire to create something for the women in my family. I’ve been surrounded by their influence all my life, so I gave myself the challenge to do something for them.”

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Inspiration came from the combination of seemingly incompatible qualities that characterised the greatest feminine figures in Maximilian Büsser’s life. Elegance was key, but so was an infectious energy that could captivate an entire roomful of people. The lines and composition of Legacy Machine FlyingT epitomise these qualities, being as refined and pure as any other Legacy Machine, but with the dynamism and exuberance of a central flying tourbillon.

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The intimate and personal nature of LM FlyingT led to the ultimate placement of the time indication at the 7 o’clock position on the dial plate, with the dial tilted 50° to face the wearer. The message is subtle but clear – that whoever the owners and wearers of Legacy Machine FlyingT may be, their time belongs to them and no one else.

UNLOCKING THE FEMININE SIDE OF MB&F

“The last thing I wanted to do,” says Maximilian Büsser, “was to take a masculine timepiece, resize it, put a different colour on it and call it a ladies’ watch.” Each MB&F creation is drawn together in a complex process that is equal parts original Max Büsser concept, design finesse by Eric Giroud, and mechanical ingenuity by the in-house technical team. Aesthetic and philosophical coherence is essential to the final result, from the adventurous Horological Machine N°5 “On The Road Again” to the high-complication, technically ambitious Legacy Machine Perpetual.

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To bring out a different level of refinement for the feminine-inspired LM FlyingT, the Legacy Machine case was completely redesigned. Case height and diameter were reduced in order to shift the focus to the highly convex sapphire crystal dome. The lugs were slimmed down, their curves were emphasised, and deep bevels were introduced to create a more elegant profile.

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Harsh or particularly defined lines have been tempered throughout LM FlyingT, such as in the example of the hour and minute hands, which take on an undulating shape – echoed in the rays of the sun-shaped automatic winding rotor.

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Asymmetry is highlighted in the design of LM FlyingT, from the positioning of the time display at 7 o’clock to the ventricular dial-plate aperture that frames the emerging tourbillon. Even the tourbillon cage itself embraces asymmetry, opting for a cantilevered double-arch upper bridge instead of the symmetrical battleaxe which has topped all other MB&F tourbillons. 

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 Woven throughout Legacy Machine FlyingT are subtle references to the aspects of femininity that resonate strongest with Max Büsser, such as the solar motif of the automatic winding rotor and the column construction of the tourbillon, which introduce concepts of life-giving and support.

ABOUT THE ENGINE

The mechanical antecedents of Legacy Machine FlyingT lie mostly in the Horological Machine collection, namely with the HM6 series and HM7 Aquapod.

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In a departure from most modern watch movements, which take a radial and co-planar approach to movement construction, the LM FlyingT engine utilises a vertical and co-axial approach. The cinematic flying tourbillon, which boldly projects beyond the dial-plate of LM FlyingT, is a visually stunning example of the rotating escapement and stands in stark contrast to other flying tourbillons, which usually do not venture past the confines of their surrounding watch dials.

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Flying tourbillons, as their name suggests, are anchored only at their base, with no stabilising bridge to restrict lateral motion at the top. This increased need for overall rigidity is what causes the conservative placement of most flying tourbillons within their movements. Legacy Machine FlyingT breaks free of this limiting need for movement security and confidently displays its flying tourbillon in all its glory.

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An additional distinct challenge which arose in the construction of LM FlyingT was the shape of the upper tourbillon cage, which creates more mass on one side of the tourbillon than the other. In order to compensate and ensure that the mechanism remains balanced, a counterweight was hidden under the tourbillon carriage, on the opposite side of the upper tourbillon cage.

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 In order to display the time as precisely as possible on the 50° inclined dial, conical gears were employed to optimally transmit torque from one plane to another, a solution first used in HM6 and subsequently in HM9 Flow.

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The 280-component engine of Legacy Machine FlyingT has a power reserve of four days (100 hours), which is among the highest within MB&F, a testament to the growth of in-house expertise and experience.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: Legacy Machine Flying T Onyx Edition

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 - Diamond-set editions in 18K white gold cases with dial plates in black lacquer, paved diamond-set, baguette diamond-set, lapis lazuli, malachite, and ‘Cœur de Rubis’ (anyolite);
- 18K red gold and platinum limited editions with guilloché dial plates;
- Diamond-set edition in 18K yellow gold case with dial plate in tiger eye;
- 18K yellow gold case with dial plate in onyx.


Engine
Three-dimensional vertical architecture, automatic winding, conceived and developed in-house by MB&F
Central flying 60-second tourbillon
Power reserve: 100 hours
Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
Three-dimensional sun winding rotor in 18k 5N+ red gold, titanium and platinum
Number of components: 280
Number of jewels: 30
Functions/indications
Hours and minutes displayed on a 50° vertically titled dial with two serpentine hands
Two crowns: winding on left and time-setting on right
Case
Material: 18K white gold and diamonds, 18K red gold, platinum, 18K yellow gold with or without diamonds.
High domed sapphire crystal on top with anti-reflective coating on both sides, sapphire crystal on back.
Dimensions: 38.5 x 20mm
Number of components: 17
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30m / 90’
Black Lacquer, lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger eye and Cœur de Rubis editions
168 diamonds (120 on the case, 21 on the buckle, 1 on top of the tourbillon cage and 26 for the crowns). About 1.7ct.
Paved diamond-set edition:
💎558 diamonds (390 on the dial, 120 on the case, 21 on the buckle, 1 on top of the tourbillon cage and 26 for the crowns). About 3.5 ct.
Baguette diamonds edition:
💎294-baguette diamonds and 3 stones (134-baguette diamonds on the dial, 124-baguette diamonds on the case, 12-baguette diamonds on the buckle, 24-baguette diamonds and 2 stones for the crowns, 1 stone on top of the tourbillon cage). About 8.2 ct.
Strap & buckle
Calf or alligator leather straps available with gold or platinum pin buckle matching the case.

 🔰 Edition     Limited edition of 78 units

🔴 Price: MSRP: $ 138.000 / € 120,000 EUR / 114.000 CHF💰

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Press release - 2024
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MB&F SA, Rue Verdaine 11, CH-1204 Genève, Switzerland
Charris Yadigaroglou  cy@mbandf.com +41 22 508 10 33.
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H. Moser x MB&F — STREAMLINER Pandamonium Only Watch 2023

 

H. MOSER & CIE. x MB&F — STREAMLINER Pandamonium Minute Repeater  Only Watch 2023

 MB&F and H. Moser & Cie.
make noise for Only Watch

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A unique Streamliner model

Maximilian Büsser and Edouard Meylan have collaborated for a second time for the Only Watch charity auction organised to raise funds for the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy, co-creating an exceptional one-off piece dedicated to music. 

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Baptised the H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium, it features a minute repeater complication led by a miniature DJing panda, a creature that has become the signature of the Only Watch creations by MB&F. At the heart of the Streamliner's case is a three-dimensional movement that has been developed specifically and exclusively for Only Watch. It will not be used in any other models. 

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Acoustically captivating and visually enticing, the minute repeater mechanism can be seen on the fumé dial in a brand-new colourway. Stripped of logos and indices, this dial illustrates the minimalist philosophy of H. Moser & Cie. and showcases the large suspended balance wheel characteristic of MB&F.  With this creation, MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. deliver a masterful mix of their DNAs, rhythmically punctuated with signature elements from each of the two brands. With its rare poetic sophistication, this watch is the height of technical excellence.

H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F create a buzz for Only Watch

When Maximilian Büsser and Edouard Meylan join creative forces, it really creates some noise!  Heads of MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. respectively, both independent, family-sized Swiss companies, these two passionate entrepreneurs never do things by half. 

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Following on from their immensely successful previous collaboration, Max and Edouard both wanted to repeat the experience in aid of the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy led by Only Watch. For this second collaboration, just as in 2020, the worlds of the two brands collide, working together for the enrichment of both. For a single one-off piece, MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. move to the same tempo, inviting the public to enjoy an artistic performance dedicated to showcasing sound.  

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To get the audience buzzing and give Only Watch the maximum possible resonance, the two brands decided to create a minute repeater. Returning to the very essence of this complication, they positioned the complex chime mechanism on the dial, allowing the passage of time to be heard whilst the choreography of the hammers and gongs can be simultaneously admired. 

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This ever-moving stage is further animated by the dial, which has been stripped of logos and indices and features a brand-new colourway, Aquamarine fumé. Continuing in this minimalist spirit, so emblematic of H. Moser & Cie., the hours and minutes are displayed directly on the dial via subtly elegant small leaf-shaped hands at 2 o'clock.

Miniature DJ panda

Baptised the H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium, this creation refers to the literary capital of hell, Pandemonium – a term which also describes a situation of wild and noisy disorder or confusion. 

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The letter "a" which replaces the "e" is a nod to the miniature panda sculpture that adorns its dial, a creature that has become the signature of the MB&F world, as Max Büsser explains: "Each Only Watch creation is an opportunity for MB&F to see things through the eyes of the children, more specifically those suffering from muscular dystrophy. Our original panda was created as an allegory for Only Watch 2011, and returned in 2021, before now making its third appearance in 2023. 

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This time, it is an invitation to immerse yourself in the world of music and lose all touch with reality for just a few beats". For both MB&F and H. Moser & Cie., the notion of pleasure is essential. In life as in watchmaking, having fun and cultivating the inner child is key. 

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This state of mind comes through in this little DJ panda, made from white gold and sculpted and decorated entirely by hand. Placed alongside the hammers, it seems to be mixing the soundtrack to the meeting between MB&F and H. Moser & Cie. Its turntables are fitted on the axis of the hammers and are driven by the rotation of the mechanism as it operates. 

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At a height of just 5.35 mm, this miniature took countless hours of precision work to create, from the design and development phase, to modelling then manufacturing, followed by time at the hands of the engraver, then the jeweller for the final polishing – not forgetting the meticulous painting. 

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This was a true technical and artistic feat due to the tiny scale of its elements, such as the muzzle, which measures 0.99 mm, or the turntables, featuring a paw print, with an outer diameter of 1.75 mm and measuring just 0.35 mm thick.

Flying balance wheel and double hairspring

Taken from the Legacy Machine range, a large suspended balance wheel occupies centre stage. This beating heart represents the very essence of watchmaking in the eyes of Max Büsser, and features a double hairspring produced by Precision Engineering AG, H. Moser & Cie.'s sister company. 

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Thanks to this pair of perfectly matched hairsprings, the movement of the point of gravity on each spring when it expands is corrected, significantly improving accuracy and isochronism in continual pursuit of perfection. In addition, the paired hairsprings also reduce the effect of friction normally experienced with a single hairspring, improving isochronism. 

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Hypnotic in its movements, this balance wheel posed an additional challenge as the gongs had to be bent in two places to allow them to pass over the balance wheel bridge. Occupying three dimensions, the shaped gongs feature a flat coil and an upper coil, positioned one on top of the other.

Ingenuity devoted to enhancing sound

Within a steel frame on an integrated bracelet, the cushion-shaped case is topped with a domed sapphire crystal. It is water-resistant to 5 ATM. Preserving the proportions and signature curves of the Streamliner collection was no mean feat. 

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The sliding bolt, used to activate the minute repeater mechanism and fitted on a Teflon runner to ensure it slides perfectly smoothly, is built into the main plate to save space. The case middle has been completely hollowed out in order to accommodate the movement while allowing enough space to create a soundbox. 

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This amplifies the chiming of hours, quarter-hours and minutes by two gongs, onto which fall two hammers that are raised based on information provided by different feeler-spindles. The geometry of the case has been meticulously designed, developed and adapted to maximise the properties of steel and enhance its impact, whilst allowing the essential walls to form part of the resonance. 

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Steel has a relatively high elastic modulus, which means that this material deforms very little under stress and is consequently more rigid than gold; it retains the vibratory energy from sound well, rather than allowing it to dissipate thanks to its low damping effect. 

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While ensuring the functioning of the minute repeater mechanism was already a complex technical feat, it also required perfect understanding of the subject to achieve a beautiful sound that combines amplitude, a certain length and a pure note.
 

Like a three-dimensional sculpture
Driving this exceptional creation is the three-dimensional hand-wound HMC 906 calibre, which has been partially skeletonised to allow certain key components of the mechanism to be admired. As it was not possible to case up this movement from underneath, as it usually would be, the assembly concept had to be redesigned. To be able to integrate the calibre from the top of the case, a removable bezel was created. In addition to the fact that it opens up the required access, it also makes the case larger, which is beneficial for the sound.  

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Beating at 18,000 vibrations/hour, the calibre HMC 906 guarantees a minimum power reserve of 54 hours. It features highly contemporary finishes, with anthracite grey rhodium-plating on the bridges and the main plate, and the famous horizontal double Moser stripes.   

A collaboration between friends
In conclusion, Edouard Meylan emphasises: "A successful mix of two sets of expertise and DNA which mutually enrich one another, the H. Moser X MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium model is a one-off piece resulting from a unique development process, featuring a unique movement and a unique dial, created especially for Only Watch, and providing us with the opportunity to excel ourselves for a good cause". There is no doubt that this model will create a buzz amongst collectors and lovers of Haute Horologie alike. It will be part of the international Only Watch event, which culminates in the auction on 5th November. Edouard Meylan and Max Büsser extend an invitation to all music lovers out there. On your marks! Get ready! Mix! 

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  STREAMLINER   “Pandamonium ”

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Model name:  H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium Steel model, Aquamarine fumé dial, integrated steel bracelet, unique piece

Ref: 6906-1200
 

Engine
Partly skeletonised, three-dimensional hand-wound HMC 906 Manufacture calibre
Balance wheel: specific model with a diameter of 14 mm, equipped with four traditional setting screws, floating above the movement
Diameter: 33.0 mm or 141/2 lignes
Height (excluding balance wheel): 10.55 mm
Frequency: 18,000 vibrations/hour
37 jewels
395 components
Power reserve: minimum 54 hours
Straumann® double hairspring
Bridges and main plate with anthracite grey rhodium-plating
Horizontal double Moser stripes on the plate and bridges
Movement and components hand-finished and decorated 
Case
Steel topped by a slightly domed sapphire crystal
Diameter: 42.3 mm
Height with sapphire crystal: 17.0 mm
Height without sapphire crystal: 12.7 mm
Sliding bolt with runner made from Teflon
Screw-down crown, adorned with a panda paw print
See-through sapphire crystal case-back
Water-resistant to 5 ATM
Functions
Hours and minutes
Minute repeater with hour, quarter-hour and minute chimes
Large balance wheel suspended above the dial
Dial
Aquamarine fumé dial with sunburst pattern Perfect mix of H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F DNA 
Aquamarine fumé dial with sunburst pattern
Hammers and chimes on dial side
Micro panda sculpture in white gold decorated entirely by hand, with turntables and mixing desk, at 10 o'clock
Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands at 2 o'clock
Bracelet
Integrated steel bracelet
Folding clasp with three steel blades, engraved with the Moser hallmark

Specificities:
The H. Moser x MB&F Streamliner Pandamonium is a unique piece featuring a one-off movement, designed exclusively for Only Watch.

 🔰Edition
Limitation: Unique piece for Only Watch 2023

 🔴Prices    Lot 28      Estimated at CHF 300,000 - CHF 400,000 💰

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www.OnlyWatch.co

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Charris Yadigaroglou  cy@mbandf.com +41 22 508 10 33.
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 MB&F

After a 15-year career in management at prestigious brands, Maximilian Büsser left his role as CEO of Harry Winston in 2005 to create MB&F – Maximilian Büsser & Friends. MB&F is a laboratory dedicated to art and micromechanical engineering, set up to design and create small editions of radical watches, the fruit of collaboration with exceptional professional watchmakers, chosen by Maximilian Büsser for their talent and working methods.
In 2007, MB&F unveiled the HM1, its first Horological Machine. With its sculptural three-dimensional case and finely decorated movement, the HM1 set the tone for the Horological Machines that were to follow – Machines which symbolise time rather than merely Machines used to read it. In 2011, MB&F released the Legacy Machines collection. These round pieces are more classic than MB&F's other creations, and pay tribute to the watchmaking excellence of the 19th century, reinterpreting the complications from innovative key watchmaking figures as objects of contemporary art.

H. Moser & Cie

H. Moser & Cie. was created by Heinrich Moser in 1828. Based in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, it currently employs more than 80 people, has developed 16 in-house calibres to date and produces around 2,000 watches per annum. Through its sister company Precision Engineering AG (PEAG), H. Moser & Cie. manufactures parts such as regulating organs and balance-springs, which are used for its own production as well as to supply its partner companies. Independent company incorporated into Moser Watch Holding in 2012, Precision Engineering AG specialises in watch components for escapements, from their initial design to the production of a quality product ready to be integrated into the watch movement it must regulate. H. Moser & Cie. is honoured to have a Moser family member with the company as Honorary Chairman and President of the Heinrich and Henri Moser Foundation. The aim of the Moser Foundation, created by one of Heinrich Moser’s descendants, is to keep the family history alive and seek out antique pieces for the Moser Museum, located in Charlottenfels Manor, Heinrich Moser’s family home. With its substantial watchmaking expertise and highly acclaimed experience in the sector, MELB Holding holds shares in H. Moser & Cie. and Hautlence. MELB Holding is an independent family group, based in the heart of the legendary Vallée de Joux.

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Press release - 2023
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H. MOSER & CIE.
MOSER SCHAFFHAUSEN AG
Rundbuckstrasse 10
CH-8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall
Switzerland
TEL.          +41 52 674 0050
FAX          +41 52 674 0055
E-MAIL      info@h-moser.com
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www.H-Moser.com

MB&F – Legacy Machine LMX Paris Edition

MB&F – Legacy Machine LMX Paris Edition 2023

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 LMX
THE LEGACY OF A DECADE

In 2023, MB&F brings back a beautiful new edition of its LMX timepiece, featuring a stunning purple dial plate encased in a complementary white gold case. The LMX Paris Edition will be exclusively available at the Parisian MB&F LAB on Rue Saint-Honoré and limited to 15 pieces.

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“If I were to give a name to the LMX Paris Edition, I would undoubtedly call it the ‘LMX Deep Purple’ in reference to the famous 1968 rock group – this piece is definitely rock ’n’ roll!”, says Laurent Picciotto, founder of Chronopassion and owner of the MB&F LAB in Paris.

MEET THE “X”

In the MB&F universe, X has a special significance, based on the Roman numeral for 10. It signals a 10th anniversary, like the HM3 FrogX (2020) marking a decade of the totemic HM3, or HMX (2015), which headlined the 10th year of MB&F. 

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But X is more than an ancient alternative to the Arabic numeral 10. In algebra, X is the unsolved variable; in cartography, X is the desired destination. X represents the indescribable, the unexplainable and the uncategorisable; it symbolises everything we do not know – yet.

PRESENTING LMX, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF LEGACY MACHINES

Back in October 2011, MB&F had just launched Legacy Machine N°1, the first creation of a new collection, alongside the existing Horological Machines; one creative lab, two interpretations of time-telling. LMX returns to the earliest encounter with the Legacy Machine collection, utilising the same expression comprising a central flying balance wheel and two dials, although everything else is different.

TWO INDEPENDENT TIME ZONES ON TILTED DIALS

Those familiar with MB&F’s very first Legacy Machine will instinctively know how LMX operates. Two dials of stretched white lacquer, each with its own display of hours and minutes. The dial on the right is set by the crown at the 2 o’clock position, which bears an engraving of the MB&F battle-axe and also winds the movement. 

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The crown at 10 o’clock, engraved with a globe to acknowledge the potential use of a second time zone, sets the time of the left dial. Unlike the first Legacy Machines however, both dials are tilted at an angle – a more complex feature present on the most recent Legacy Machines, requiring the transfer of energy from horizontal to vertical planes thanks to conical gears.

APPARENT MECHANICS UNDER A SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL DOME

While the first few Legacy Machines took a selective approach to what was showcased between dial plate and sapphire crystal dome, later models such as LM Perpetual, LM FlyingT and LM Thunderdome were more open and demonstrative about their mechanical prowess.  

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LMX follows this latter approach, revealing functional elements such as the battle-axe-shaped escapement bridge and gear-train components. Three large wheels are particularly visible: placed next to each winding crown, two are set in motion when setting the time on the corresponding time display, while the gear at 6 o’clock is the common seconds’ wheel.

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Of particular note is the new bespoke balance wheel, a 13.4mm behemoth with inertia blocks that marks a departure from the more traditional screwed balances and offers greater accuracy to the watchmaker in regulating the heart of LMX. 

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Other refinements include the polished arms of the straight bridges exposed on the dial plate, manually finished to impart a curved, or bercé, profile on their upper surfaces.

HEMISPHERICAL 7-DAY POWER RESERVE INDICATOR

In another nod to the world-first vertical power reserve indicator of Legacy Machine No1, LMX builds on this slice of MB&F history, with a completely novel three-dimensional display that showcases the engine’s impressive seven days (168 hours) of power reserve. 

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In this evolved display, there is the option to select between two modes of counting down the power reserve. Two markers are positioned on opposite sides of a hemisphere; one framed by an arched scale numbered 1 to 7, another with a scale showing the days of the week.

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This complex and completely novel interplay of components is given an additional level of intricacy, by the rotation of the entire power-reserve display itself. This allows wearers to choose their preferred mode of power-reserve indication: by continuing to wind the battle-axe crown even after the power reserve is fully replenished, wearers can adjust the orientation of the indication in order to make the day-of-the-week or numeric scale more visible when LMX is on the wrist.

SYMMETRICAL MOVEMENT CONSTRUCTION

Like a perfectly balanced X, the engine of LMX is deeply symmetrical – not only dial-side but also as observed through the sapphire case back, revealing the three barrels placed evenly around the centre, accentuated by the sunray pattern of the Côtes de Genève finishing. A treat for those who can read the language of watch movements, who can discern expert intent and refined purpose behind the placement of each component.

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The X in LMX is more than just a symbol for symmetry, or another way to indicate the numeral 10. LMX is the crossroads where the first and second decades of the Legacy Machine Collection meet.

Four limited editions form the LMX collection:
- 18 pieces in 18K red gold with black NAC treatment on plates and bridges;
- 33 pieces in grade 5 titanium with green CVD treatment on plates and bridges;
- 33 “Steel & Brass” pieces in 316L stainless steel with a frosted face.
- And in 2023, a new limited variation of 15 pieces; the LMX Paris Edition, in white gold with a beautiful sunray purple dial.
LMX

10 YEARS OF LEGACY MACHINES

In October 2011, people thought they knew what MB&F stood for. Four Horological Machines had been launched, each one more audacious than the last. MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser decided it was time to do something different – again. How does one go about disrupting a habit of iconoclasm? By turning to history, but not a history that we recognised. The MB&F Horological Machines came from an imagined future, so it was only natural that the Legacy Machines drew from an imagined past. Expressed differently: what would MB&F have created a century ago, during the golden age of watchmaking?

ROUND CASES, LACQUERED DIALS…AND “FLYING” BALANCE

As always with MB&F, the Legacy Machine No1 movement was the result of collaboration – in this case with two exceptional Friends, two horology stars as talented as they are different: Jean-François Mojon, known for his innovative engineering, and Kari Voutilainen, a living legend of classic watchmaking.

LM1 featured a round case – a first for MB&F – along with white lacquered dials, blued hands, and a hallucinatory “flying” balance wheel, plucked from its expected rear-mounted location and suspended like a sky-hovering extra-terrestrial visitor, oscillating under a domed crystal. While Horological Machines 1 through 4 were exuberant flights of imagination, Legacy Machine N°1 was a triumph of reimagination. By harnessing the design conventions of traditional watchmaking to form this singularly defiant configuration of a watch movement, LM1 turned out to be MB&F’s most subversive creation since the company’s inception in 2005.

The mesmeric spectacle of the suspended balance became a conceptual and mechanical leitmotiv that defined the Legacy Machine collection — illustrating how a watch could simultaneously be a part of and apart from traditional watchmaking.

AN AWARD-WINNING, GROUND-BREAKING COLLECTION

Subsequent Legacy Machines followed this blueprint of brilliant unorthodoxy: with LMX and the LM Sequential EVO launched in 2022, an impressive series of no less than NINE world-premiere calibres. Conceived with another exceptionally talented Friend, Stephen McDonnell, LM Perpetual (2015) brought about a fundamental reengineering of the revered perpetual calendar complication, while the LM Sequential EVO features a ground-breaking dual chronograph system. LM FlyingT (2019) embodied a novel vision of feminine watchmaking — fierce yet elegant, stark yet complex. LM Thunderdome (2019), developed with multi-axis tourbillon expert Eric Coudray, set a new world record with the dizzying speed of its TriAx mechanism. In parallel to these prestigious collaborations, MB&F began conceiving its own movements during this decade; the LMX engine is the sixth fully conceived by MB&F’s in-house engineering team, a considerable achievement for a brand born in the new millennium.

Many did not realise in 2011 how risky this was, but MB&F took a chance on its fledgling brand identity by introducing a Machine that leaned closer to the aesthetic milieu of almost every other watch company out there. Comparing an MB&F to other timepieces was now possible… But great risk often comes with great reward. The Legacy Machine collection has received widespread acclaim over the years, chief among them six awards from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – including the “Aiguille d’Or” in 2022 – the industry’s ultimate accolade.

Have Legacy Machines changed the MB&F Horological lab of 2011? Profoundly. When LM1 surprised the watchmaking world in 2011, industry experts predicted that MB&F would radically shift its entire production (and sales) to the more consensual aesthetics offered by Legacy Machines. That did not happen: the unconventional Horological Machines continue to represent an essential part of MB&F’s production… but 11 years later, watch collectors have naturally also embraced the more classic-minded Legacy Machines – which have gained their own very significant place. MB&F continues to evolve in both directions, seemingly quite different, but always with a fierce sense of independence and creativity.

2011 – 2023
LEGACY MACHINE MILESTONES

• 2011    After four unconventional Horological Machines, MB&F surprises the watchmaking world by launching Legacy Machine No1, inaugurating a new collection of more classic timepieces.
• 2012    LM1 wins not just one but two awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève: the Public Prize (voted for by watch enthusiasts) and Best Men’s Watch Prize (voted for by the professional jury).
• 2013    Legacy Machine No2: two years after the first Legacy Machine, LM2 demonstrates that MB&F is committed to developing the Legacy Machine collection, with a complex timepiece revisiting the works of famous watchmakers on double regulator systems.
• 2014     The Legacy Machine collection welcomes its first “Performance Art” piece: a collaboration with Chinese artist Xia Hang, who reinterprets the vertical power reserve indicator of LM1.
• With Legacy Machine 101, MB&F focuses on the essentials of a mechanical wristwatch; the LM101 movement is also the first entirely conceived by MB&F’s in-house engineering team.
• 2015    MB&F teams up with Stephen McDonnell to reinvent the traditional perpetual calendar mechanism. The result is the ground-breaking Legacy Machine Perpetual, offering reliability and user-friendliness.
• 2016    The Legacy Machines welcome a second Performance Art piece: the LM1 Silberstein, created with the famous French designer Alain Silberstein.

    At the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Best Calendar Watch Prize goes to the LM Perpetual.

• 2017    Again with Stephen McDonnell, MB&F presents the LM Split Escapement (LM SE), showcasing the beauty of the flying balance wheel and the split escapement initially conceived for the LM Perpetual.
• 2019    In March, MB&F chooses the Legacy Machine collection to launch its first timepiece dedicated to women, the LM FlyingT.

    In November, the Legacy Machine collection wins a fourth Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award: the LM FlyingT wins the Best Ladies’ Complication Prize.

    In December, MB&F and famed watchmaker Eric Coudray break a world record with the LM Thunderdome, the world’s fastest triple-axis regulator.

• 2020    MB&F and fellow independent brand H. Moser & Cie innovate with a unique two-way collaboration, resulting in the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser and the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F.

    MB&F and Eddy Jaquet, one of the watchmaking industry’s most talented master engravers, present a series of 8 unique pieces of the LM Split Escapement, inspired by the novels of Jules Verne.

    MB&F chooses the Legacy Machine collection to present another important evolution: its first timepiece sporting the “EVO” suffix, designed for more active, everyday use. The LM Perpetual EVO “is not just a watch for sports, it is a watch for life”.

• 2021    Launch of LMX, celebrating 10 years of Legacy Machines. Echoing the traits of LM1 but in an entirely new execution, LMX features two time zones and a three-dimensional power reserve, while the tilted dials and sleek case design take from the LM FlyingT and LM Thunderdome.

• 2022    Launch of the LM Sequential EVO, the brand’s first ever chronograph, conceived with Stephen McDonnell. The piece incorporates two column-wheel chronographs and a groundbreaking “Twinverter” binary switch, allowing multiple timing modes including split-second and lap timer modes – a combination never seen before in chronograph. The piece won the industry’s ultimate prize the very same year, the Aiguille d’Or at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model: LMX Edition

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO 

LMX is available in four limited editions:
- 18 pieces in polished 18K 5N+ red gold with black NAC treatment on plates and bridges;
- 33 pieces in polished grade 5 titanium with green CVD treatment on plates and bridges;
- 33 “Steel & Brass” pieces in 316L stainless steel with frosted face;
- 15 pieces in polished 18K white gold with a purple sunray dial.

Engine
Three-dimensional horological movement developed exclusively by MB&F
Manual winding with three mainspring barrels
Power reserve: 7 days (168 hours)
Balance wheel: new bespoke 13.4mm balance wheel with inertia blocks, floating above the movement
Time display on two inclined dials in stretched lacquer
Balance spring: traditional Breguet curve terminating in mobile stud holder
Balance frequency: 18,000bph/2.5Hz
Number of components: 367
Number of jewels: 41
Chatons: gold chatons with diamond countersinks
Fine finishing: superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th century style; internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings; polished arms of the straight bridges exposed on the dial plate, manually finished to a curved “bercé” profile on their upper surfaces; frosted face for the “Steel & Brass” edition.
Functions
Hours and minutes: completely independent dual time zones displayed on two dials.
Unique hemispherical power reserve with choice of weekday or 7-day indication; rotates to adjust the preferred power reserve indication.
Left crown at 10 o'clock for setting time of left dial; right crown at 2 o'clock for setting time of right dial and winding.
Case
Four editions: 18K 5N+ red gold case limited to 18 pieces, grade 5 titanium case limited to 33 pieces, 316L stainless steel case limited to 33 pieces or 18K white gold case limited to 15 pieces.
Dimensions: 44 x 21.4 mm
Number of components: 27
Sapphire crystals
High domed sapphire crystal on top and sapphire crystal on back with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Strap & Buckle
Black hand-stitched alligator strap with 5N+ gold folding buckle for red gold version, grey hand-stitched alligator strap with titanium folding buckle for titanium edition, brown hand-stitched alligator strap with stainless steel folding buckle for steel version and grey hand-stitched alligator strap with purple lining and white gold folding buckle for the white gold edition.


« FRIENDS » RESPONSIBLE FOR LMX

Concept: Maximilian Büsser / MB&F
Product design: Eric Giroud / Through the Looking Glass
Technical and production management: Serge Kriknoff / MB&F
R&D: Thomas Lorenzato, Joey Miserez, Julien Peter, Pierre-Alexandre Gamet and Robin Cotrel / MB&F
Methods and laboratory: Maël Mendel and Anthony Mugnier / MB&F

Wheels, pinions and axis: Jean-François Mojon / Chronode, Paul-André Tendon / Bandi, Daniel Gumy / Decobar Swiss, Gimmel Rouages, Atokalpa and Le Temps Retrouvé
Plates and bridges: Benjamin Signoud / Amecap, Rodrigue Baume / Horlofab, 2B8 and MB&F
Balance wheel: Marc Bolis / Atokalpa
Springs and jumpers: Alain Pellet / Elefil Swiss
Mainspring and barrel: Stéphane Schwab / Schwab Feller
Rubies: Pierhor / Crelier
Hand-engraving of movement: Glypto
Hand-finishing of movement components: Jacques-Adrien Rochat and Denis Garcia / C.-L. Rochat, DSMI
Dial plate decoration : DM Surfaces
Case decoration : Bripoli, FIFAJ Horlogerie,Termin’hor
PVD- treatment: Pierre-Albert Steinmann / Positive Coating
Gold ingots CoC (Chain of Custody): Jean Philippe Chételat / Cendres et Métaux Lux
Movement assemblage : Didier Dumas, Georges Veisy, Anne Guiter, Emmanuel Maitre , Henri Porteboeuf and Mathieu Lecoultre / MB&F
In-house machining: Alain Lemarchand, Jean-Baptiste Prétot and Romain Camplo / MB&F
After-sales service: Antony Moreno / MB&F
Quality control: Cyril Fallet and Jennifer Longuepez / MB&F
Dials: Hassan Chaïba and Virginie Duval / La Montre Hermès SA
Hands: Waeber HMS
Crowns : Boninchi
Anti-reflection treatment for sapphire crystals: Anthony Schwab / Econorm
Buckle: G&F Châtelain
Strap: Multicuirs
Presentation box: Olivier Berthon / Soixanteetonze
Logistics and production: David Lamy, Ashley Moussier, Fanny Boutier, Mélanie Ataide, Thibaut Joannard, Maryline Leveque, Emilie Burnier and Thi-Kim Phy Pham  / MB&F

Marketing & Communication: Charris Yadigaroglou, Vanessa André, Arnaud Légeret, Paul Gay and Talya Lakin / MB&F
Graphic design: Sidonie Bays / MB&F
M.A.D.Gallery: Hervé Estienne and Margaux Dionisio Cera / MB&F
Sales: Thibault Verdonckt, Virginie Marchon, Cédric Roussel, Jean-Marc Bories and Augustin Chivot / MB&F
Texts: Suzanne Wong / Worldtempus
Product photography: Laurent-Xavier Moulin, David Carteron and Stéphane de Bourgies
Film: Marc-André Deschoux / MAD LUX, Manouil Karapetsis et Dominik Lang / Brosky Media
Portrait photography: Régis Golay / Federal
Website: Stéphane Balet / Idéative

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO  

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Press release - 2023
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For more information, please contact
MB&F SA, Rue Verdaine 11, CH-1204 Genève, Switzerland
Charris Yadigaroglou  cy@mbandf.com +41 22 508 10 33.
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