MB&F marks a decade of innovation
This year, MB&F celebrates a decade of innovation, dedication and boundless creativity with the release of the HMX – Horological Machine X, where the letter ‘X’ stands for the Roman numeral of 10. This figure is a direct testament to the last 10 challenging years that have resulted in10 remarkable calibres that form the base of the critically acclaimed Horological Machines and Legacy Machines for which MB&F has become renowned for
In 2007, MB&F unveiled its first Horological Machine – The HM1. The HM1 featured a sculptured, three-dimensional case and beautifully finished engine that set the standard for the idiosyncratic Horological Machines that followed: The HM2, HM3, HM4, HM5, HM6 and now, The HMX. Unlike traditional watchmaking conventions, the Geneva-based brand was determined to create a unique gift for its friends and loyal collectors in the form of an innovative Horological Machine that shuns the traditional circular case and the result was the HMX, which is offered at an unprecedented price, where the brand slashes its profit margins to enable the limited editions to be snapped up by watch enthusiasts who are keen to show support for MB&F’s 10th anniversary.
“From the beginning, the idea for HMX was to give something back to our Friends: the collectors and supporters who were vital in enabling MB&F to reach its 10th anniversary,” says Maximilian Büsser, the founding father of MB&F. “Common industry norms for anniversaries are to develop ultra-expensive pieces, but we decided to do the opposite: HMX is by far our most affordable Horological Machine to date and is our way of saying ‘Thank you.’”
Before discovering watchmaking, Maximilian Büsser aspired to be a car designer; so like the previous HM5, which was unveiled for the brand’s 5th anniversary, the latest celebratory piece is inspired by Büsser’s passion for fast cars that dominated most of his childhood. When worn on the wrist, the HMX is designed to look fast; polished curves and smooth surfaces lead the way to a partially perforated calfskin strap in a colour complementary to the engine of the watch.
The timepiece is available in four limited editions of just 20 pieces each and is offered in an array of motor-racing colours; Lotus Black, Ferrari Red, Bugatti Blue and British Racing Green, where each machine has been meticulously crafted with the dimensions of 46.8 x 44.3 x 20.7mm in polished steel and Grade 5 titanium. The perfectly positioned screws ensure that the case is well protected and water resistant to a depth of 30 metres.
The three-dimensional automatic movement is powered by a special 22K gold rotor, and engraved with the brand’s anniversary slogan: “A creative adult is a child who survived,” which is a reference to a child's sense of wonder and awe that usually fade under the pressures of the everyday realities in adult life. The powerful movement boasts a 42 hour power reserve and hums at a steady cadence of 28,800 VpH (4Hz).
A true driver’s watch, the HMX features two optically-engineered sapphire crystal prisms that reflect and magnify the bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes illustrated on the vertical ‘dial’. The vertical forward-facing display makes HMX an excellent driver’s watch as there is no need to lift your wrist from the steering wheel to read the display. Whilst in-between the two counters is a clear view of the interior of the machine that features the brand’s logo on a smooth metallic strip that can also be viewed from above. Light streaming through the transparent engine cover illuminates the top of HMX’s engine and backlights the time display for high legibility in dull conditions. Also visible through the sapphire crystal engine cover are the supercar-inspired dual rocker covers on top of the movement, each featuring shiny chrome oil filler caps. These caps are real oil caps, which the watchmaker will need to unscrew during servicing to add oil and lubricate the jewels below.
10 years is an important milestone for anyone, but it is an especially significant anniversary for a small, horological creative lab that persistently bucks trends, zigs when others zag, and creates three-dimensional kinetic Machines rather than watches. When Maximilian Büsser founded MB&F in 2005, he hoped that a few collectors might be brave enough to follow him into unexplored horological territory, but had no idea just how big a revolution MB&F would ferment. Needless to say he is proud of his team’s latest accomplishment, where the HMX is deemed a supercar for the wrist. “In a few years’ time, I want to look back and be proud of everything that I do now. I have become even more passionate about my work, than when I first started out,” says Maximilian Büsser. “I’m not satisfied until I feel that everything is perfect, so every single detail counts, especially for a remarkable anniversary piece such as the HMX.”
