Showing posts with label MB&F. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MB&F. Show all posts

Saturday, May 24, 2025

MB&F – SPECIAL PROJECTS One Edition


MB&FSPECIAL PROJECTS SP One 20th Anniversary 2025

AFTER 20 YEARS OF WILD CREATIVITY, WHAT IF MB&F
CREATED AN ELEGANT 38MM WATCH?

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The MB&F SP One, initially dubbed “Three Circles”, showcases a trinity of floating elements – the barrel, balance wheel, and dial – defying gravity on your wrist. These components appear to hover mysteriously at the centre of an amphitheatre, all visible through invisible sapphire domes, with the balance wheel performing a mid-air dance and the tilted dial highlighting MB&F’s clever conical gearing. The SP One is a mechanical marvel that turns your wrist into a stage for a captivating, gravity-defying performance. 

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Encased in a 38mm pebble-like shell, the SP One melds a smooth, tactile feel with a bezel-free design and delicately detached lugs. As MB&F’s slimmest and smallest watch, it nonetheless remains true to the brand’s signature three-dimensional architecture and boundary-pushing spirit. Somewhere between MB&F’s radical Horological Machines and more classic Legacy Machines, the SP One inaugurates a new, undefinable “Special Projects” collection.

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To truly grasp the amphitheatre-like drama and unconventional flair of this project, let’s dig into its origin story.

PLUNGING THE HAND IN THE BASKET

When COVID hit, like many others, MB&F thought it was the end. In this tumultuous time, the team decided it was important to dive into a basket of fun, dormant projects that had been on the back burner for years. The M.A.D.1 was one example of these whimsical ventures: initially planned to be a playful experiment to thank friends and family, it turned out to be the runaway success we know today. The following years were tinged with more success, marked by new releases, a collection of prestigious GPHG awards… Times were great.

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But as MB&F owner and creative director Maximilian Büsser says, success can be toxic – leading to complacency, treating clients poorly, and stifling innovation. Instead of succumbing to these pitfalls, the team ramped up their creativity and plunged their hands deeper in the basket of dormant projects.

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This surprising turn of events underscored a timeless truth for the brand: the unexpected can indeed work wonders. It was a bold reminder that the best business plans are the ones you never planned at all. This embodies the spirit of MB&F, which according to any management book, epitomizes doing everything wrong. No business plan, just a will to create the unexpected, going against the grain and revelling in the unconventional.

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The basket brimming with special projects sketched over the years, seemingly senseless at the time, was full of wild ideas, flashes of intuition, and even sketches of skateboards and razors. It was a treasure trove of creativity. Max reached into the basket and picked out one project that best embodied the spirit of these special ventures.

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This project, simply code-named Special Project One (SP One), was the chosen one.

NOTHING CLASSIC ABOUT A CLASSIC

"We asked ourselves: what if we did what no one expected – an elegant, classical watch?remembers Max. This was a risky move, much like the brand’s first Legacy Machine, or the M.A.D.1, or many other MB&F projects: zero market expectations, 100% risks.

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As creators, pride drives us. Pride doesn’t come from the easy path but from risking it all and potentially facing a huge setback”. The first sketch of the SP One, dating back to 2018, proves this ethos. Like all MB&F projects, it started with a sketch – quickly or “badly” drawn, as Max likes to say – but the essence of the design and specificity of the project were already there. 

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Three circles resembling a smiley face hinted at the playful yet intricate journey ahead. The concept stemmed from this idea of a trinity: the barrel, the balance wheel, and the dial suspended in the case itself levitating on the wrist.

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Yet, these early sketches were all about crafting a watch that whispered sophistication instead of shouting for attention. It needed to be subtly elegant, with a classic flair that set it apart from the usual MB&F boldness while keeping the brand’s roots alive. In other words, a hard-to-reach equilibrium.

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This initial sketch was then refined and reworked with the help of famous watch designer and longtime MB&F Friend Eric Giroud. After numerous iterations, the concept seemed just right: it was then time for the engineers to take over, sketching and mapping the entire project with precision, care and plenty of head-scratching.

LEVITATING IN A CIRCLE

Initially code-named “Three Circles,” the SP One movement is crafted around the three key elements of any mechanical watch: the barrel, the balance wheel, and the dial. Each component isn’t just there for show; they’re meant to feel like they’re floating in mid-air.

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Thanks to the sapphire glass on both the front and back, these elements appear to defy gravity. However, it’s the thoughtful architecture of the movement that truly enhances this captivating levitation effect, creating a striking visual experience. Embracing the “less is more” mantra, the bridges are almost like magic, practically invisible. 

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Most components are cleverly hidden beneath the three key elements, letting their beauty take centre stage. The fewer bridges, screws, and wheels, the better! In fact, trying to spot a screw from the front is like searching for a needle in a haystack, amplifying that stunning levitating effect.

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Visually, the three elements have identical circumferences, adding complexity to the movement’s design. The single-barrel architecture is elegantly suspended, enhancing the levitation effect and presenting a genuine challenge for the movement designers. The balance wheel oscillates at 2 o’clock and captivates the wearer eyes like a flying saucer.

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In Max’s imaginative world, everything seems to float, and the dial perfectly follows suit! Tilted just right to highlight MB&F’s expertise in conical gearing, this feature is a tricky feat to pull off while keeping it reliable. Rarely seen in watchmaking, it adds a wonderfully subtle three-dimensional flair that’s as intriguing as discreet.

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This technically complex to achieve architecture reveals a simple and unique structure that makes understanding how a mechanical watch functions surprisingly straightforward.

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Surrounding this movement is what Max playfully dubs the “amphitheatre”: a beautifully bevelled flange that channels the grandeur of Greco-Roman theatres, spotlighting the stunning intricacies of the movement like a gladiator in the arena.

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Flip the SP One over, and you’ll uncover the other side of its arena, showcasing the meticulous hand finishing and overall attention to detail typical of MB&F – one of the rare watchmakers today perpetuating traditional hand finishing and artisanal craftsmanship.

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The MB&F touch is unmistakably present in the SP One. Beyond the desire to surprise and take risks, it’s the meticulous attention to the movement that reveals the family ties. The complexity lies in maintaining finesse and elegance while preserving classic codes. 

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All wheels are hand-angled, with prominent chatons, and the finish balance is subtle between satin, polished, and microblasted surfaces.

A SATISFYING PEBBLE

Beyond the unconventional construction of the movement and traditional hand-finishing, the pebble case design further sets the SP One apart.

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Despite being thin, this watch paradoxically boasts a three-dimensional presence. Imagine holding a perfectly-smooth pebble, polished by years in a riverbed: that’s the feel of the SP One

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Its 38mm case, sleek like a spaceship and bezel-free, features sapphire glass that seamlessly blends front and back with the case. 

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This design gives the watch a captivating floating effect also emphasized by its cleverly crafted lugs. A closer look reveals that they’re not directly attached to the upper case; instead, they rise elegantly from the lower case, creating a subtle yet distinct gap between each hand-polished lug and the upper section.

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Overall, the SP One is as smooth to the touch as it looks, inviting you to run your fingers over its curves. It’s like a tiny UFO landed on your wrist, blending unconventional design with an organic, tactile sensation.

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While the SP One is MB&F’s thinnest watch, it’s not about competing for the title of the slimmest watch in the world. Instead, it embodies a harmonious balance in design and proportions, prioritizing elegance and artistry over mere thinness to achieve true equilibrium.

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The term “equilibrium” perfectly captures the essence of this Special Project. It breaks conventions while staying true to the brand’s core identity and traditional craftsmanship, all while exploring new avenues. 

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In essence, a classical MB&F that has nothing classical about it.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  SPECIAL PROJECT One Anniversary

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   Platinum with a sky-blue bevelled flange

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    Rose gold with an anthracite bevelled flange


CASE
    Material: platinum 950 or 18K rose gold
    Diameter: 38mm
    Thickness:
12mm
    Lug-to-lug: 41.9mm
    Number of components: 19
    Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating
    Water-resistant to 30m / 3ATM / 100 feet
ENGINE
    Movement SP One
movement developed in-house by MB&F, featuring signature balance wheel and inclined time dial.
    Manual winding mainspring barrel
    Superlative hand finishing; internal bevel angles highlighting handcraft; polished bevels; hand-made engravings, anthracite bridges (ruthenium finish).
    Black DLC inclined dial
    Frequency: 2.5 Hz, 18'000 vph
    Number of parts: 191
    Number of jewels: 31
    Power reserve of 72
hours
FUNCTIONS
    Hours and minutes on inclined dial at 6 o’clock
STRAP & BUCKLE
    Calfskin strap with white gold or rose gold pin buckle
    Lug width: 18mm

🔴 Price: MSRP:
     (Platinum) CHF 63'000 / EUR 69'000 / $82,000  (excl. taxes)
     (Rose gold) CHF 58'000 / EUR 64'000 /
$76,000 (excl. taxes)

 🔰Edition  No

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Press release - 2025
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www.facebook.com - MBandF
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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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www.MBandF.com

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

MB&F – Legacy Machine LONGHORN 20th Anniversary Edition


MB&F –  Legacy Machine LM Perpetual and LM Sequential LONGHORN 20th Anniversary Edition 2025

 LM PERPETUAL LONGHORN
LM SEQUENTIAL FLYBACK LONGHORN
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF MB&F

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MB&F’s 20th Anniversary celebrations kick off with two 20-piece Limited Edition “Longhorns” in stainless steel with rhodium-plated base plates, glossy black lacquer dials, and blued hands.

MB&F’s 20th Anniversary

2025 marks the 20th Anniversary of an adventure that started in 2005 when Maximilian Büsser started putting together a network of “Friends”, on the basis of a drawing that we know now as Horological Machine No.1. Two decades and more than 20 calibres later, the MB&F team includes over 60 employees – what a ride it has been.

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Reflecting on the last 20 years, Max shares: “It is like a dream come true, only I never dreamt it. I could never have even imagined we would be where we are today back then; it is surreal.”

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This birthday year will be jam-packed with new timepieces, collaborations, and surprises that are a genuine celebration of the art of MB&F creativity, starting with two limited editions – the LM Perpetual Longhorn and the LM Sequential Flyback Longhornlimited to just 20 pieces each.

The Longhorn Adventure

The Longhorn concept was born in 2009 during the design phase of LM1, MB&F’s first Legacy Machine. The stylistic idea of playing with longer lugs – also called horns – was pleasing to the eye but problematic as where should the spring bar go: close to the case or at the tip of the lug? 

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Depending on the wrist size, both options can lead to a bad fit. So, the long horns were switched for short horns and that was that, or so everyone thought.

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Fast forward to 2021 and the 10th anniversary of the LM1. There were no LM1 timepieces left, since MB&F had made the decision to close the series. Just one prototype remained, potentially to mark this important milestone. 

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But how could this timepiece be even more special than everything that had come before? It was at this moment that the question of the long horns was raised once more, but this time with the ingenious idea of drilling two holes in the lugs – one at the tip of the horn, the other closer to the case – so the customer could decide.

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This wasn’t the only special feature of this unique piece. Where most of the LM1s were crafted in gold, platinum or titanium, this one-of-a-kind timepiece came in stainless steel – and instead of the Legacy Machines’ classic white sub dials, it featured glossy black dials against a rhodium-plated base plate. The black dials were a headache to create as even the smallest speck of dust would ruin them, but patience and perseverance prevailed.

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The piece was sold at auction by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo with a significant portion of the proceeds going to Save the Rhino International, closing a chapter on the LM1. The incredible feedback following the sale, however, left a question about whether the long horns and this inversed black and silver colour scheme should end here.

The First Two Anniversary Limited Editions

They say that “all good things come to an end”, but if you can make them last a bit longer, why not seize the right opportunity? 

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This was the thinking behind these first two anniversary timepieces featuring stainless steel cases, long horns, rhodium-plated base plates, glossy black lacquer sub dials and blued hands.

Legacy Machine Perpetual Longhorn

The first is the LM Perpetual Longhorn, containing MB&F’s GPHG award-winning perpetual calendar first released in 2015. Created in collaboration with independent watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, the 581-component, fully integrated and purpose-built movement eliminates the drawbacks of conventional perpetual calendars, offering a significantly more user-friendly and trouble-free solution.

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McDonnell’s perpetual calendar relies on a ground-breaking “mechanical processor” which avoids skipping dates and jamming gears as the adjuster pushers automatically deactivate when the calendar changes. 

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In this anniversary edition of 20 pieces, McDonnell’s visually stunning in-house movement takes on a whole new aesthetic with the addition of long horns and the black, silver and blue colourway.

Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback Longhorn

The second limited edition, the LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn, was also conceived by Stephen McDonnell. The first version of the series, the LM Sequential EVO, was first released in 2022 and was MB&F’s first-ever chronograph – and 20th calibre. 

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It featured significant technical innovations and an unprecedented combination of timing modes thanks to its “Twinverter” binary switch, allowing independent timing, split-second, cumulative and lap-timer modes – going on to win watchmaking’s ultimate prize, the coveted Aiguille d’Or award.

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The Flyback version went even further than the EVO edition as, on top of the previous timing modes, typically associated with motor racing, it added the flyback function originally conceived for pilots, bringing the 

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Sequential into the world of aviation. Now adorned with long horns, blued hands and glossy black sub dials, this second limited edition of 20 pieces is also ready to kick off MB&F’s 20th birthday celebration.

A Tribute to a Special Friend

“We cannot talk about MB&F’s journey, without talking about Stephen McDonnell,” notes Maximilian Büsser. “It is for this reason that we wanted to start our 20th-anniversary celebrations with his calibres, which are some of the most complicated movements in the MB&F collection.”

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Northern Ireland-based watchmaker Stephen McDonnell is indeed one of the original MB&F Friends. His collaboration began in the very early days of the brand when he assisted with the final development and assembly of Horological Machine No.1. Several years later, he went on to develop the abovementioned LM Perpetual and Sequential.

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These two Longhorn limited editions are just the beginning of a year of celebrations dedicated to MB&F’s many collaborations and creations, so stay tuned for more over the coming months.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  LM PERPETUAL LONGHORN 20th Anniversary  Edition

Limited Edition: 20 pieces in stainless steel with black sub dials

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Engine
Fully integrated perpetual calendar developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell, featuring dial-side complication and mechanical processor system architecture with inbuilt safety mechanism.
Manual winding with double mainspring barrels.
Bespoke 14 mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws visible on top of the movement.
Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th century style; internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.
Black lacquered sub dials
Power reserve: 72 hours
Balance frequency: 2.5Hz (18,000vph)
Number of components: 581
Number of jewels: 41

Functions/indications
Hours, minutes, day, date, month, retrograde leap year and power reserve indicators
Case
Material: stainless steel
Dimensions: 44 mm x 17.5 mm
Number of components: 69 components
Water resistance: 30 m / 90' / 3 ATM
Sapphire crystals
Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
Strap & buckle
Calf leather strap with stainless steel folding buckle.

 🔰Edition   Limited edition of 20 watches

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model:  LM SEQUENTIAL FLYBACK LONGHORN 20th Anniversary Edition

Limited Edition: 20 pieces in stainless steel with black sub dials

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 Engine
Fully integrated dual chronograph flyback system developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell, featuring Twinverter switch allowing multiple timing modes.
Manual winding with double mainspring.
Flying balance wheel with regulating screws at 12 o’clock, Breguet overcoil.
Superlative hand finishing; internal bevel angles highlighting handcraft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.
Black lacquered inclined dial & black sub dials
Power reserve: 72 hours
Balance frequency: 3Hz (21,600 vph)
Number of components: 619
Number of jewels: 63

Functions
Time display (hours/minutes) at 6 o’clock.
Left chronograph : seconds displayed at 9 o’clock and minutes at 11 o’clock; start/stop pusher at 10 o’clock and reset/flyback at 8 o’clock.
Right chronograph : seconds displayed at 3 o’clock and minutes at 1 o’clock; start/stop pusher at 2 o’clock and reset/flyback at 4 o’clock.
Twinverter pusher at 9 o’clock: binary switch that inverts the current start/stop status of both chronographs.
Both chronographs are equipped with a flyback.
Power reserve indication at the back of the movement.
Case
Material: stainless steel
Dimensions : 44mm x 18.2mm.
Number of components : 88
Water resistance : 30m / 3ATM / 90 feet
Sapphire crystals
Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
Strap & buckle
Calf leather strap with stainless steel folding buckle.

 🔰Edition   Limited edition of 20 watches

🔴 Price: MSRP: $ 208.000 / € 182,000 EUR / 168.000 CHF💰

---------------------------------------------- 
Press release - 2025
----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - MBandF
-----------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.MBandF.com