Craig LA
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Dinner with the Mad Scientist and his Machine
Sunday evening, I had the pleasure of dining with Max Busser and his Machine No. 4: Thunderbolt. Max is like no other watch company executive I have previously met. He is clearly at the helm of the company he founded, but his role is so, so much more. Max is, first and foremost, the mad scientist behind the brand. When designing a new watch, he does not merely think outside the box. Rather, Max discards the box and begins from an entirely different universe where no one has previously travelled. His creativity is boundless; his passion infinite. He is authenticate and warm, yet unafraid to speak his mind. He is a bolt of fresh air – dare I say a Thunderbolt!
Many believe Max’s Machines are, first and foremost, “fashion watches.” Nothing could be further from the truth! The machines are movement centric horological masterpieces. With each new Machine, Max challenges himself to design a new, state of the art movement that does things no prior movement has ever previously accomplished. Then, with the help of his Friends, Max proceeds to conquer the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to bring his vision to life.
With the Machine No. 3, Max entered a new dimension in watch making. Max decided that choosing between a round, square or rectangular case was insufficient because these case shapes only function in two dimensions. Therefore, with the Machine No. 3, Max created a watch that rises out of the case, so as to operate on three separate and distinct dimensions.
While I can appreciate the genius of the watch, I must concede that the Machine No, 3 never sang to me.
The Machine No. 4 – aka Thunderbolt – expands upon the three dimensional concept of the No. 3, taking it to a whole new level. It is easy to overlook the technical sophistication of the Thunderbolt. After all, it is merely a time only watch with a somewhat superfluous power reserve. However, upon closer examination, the genius of the watch becomes clear. The two display housings, while appearing to be separate from each other, are connected through an innovative and complex three dimensional movement that transcends traditional case design. Once again, the watch is not merely a new way of displaying time. Rather, as with all the Machines, it is a movement centric piece that challenges and transcends traditional precepts. This is precisely why Max introduced the movement first, several weeks before the actual watch. Max wanted the focus to be on the genius of the movement, which many overlook when confronted with the avant garde case design. Like a Ferrari, the body design is eye catching, but the heart of the Thunderbolt is the engine below the surface.
While the Machine No. 3 never really did it for me, the Thunderbolt hypnotized me from the moment I laid eyes on it, then knocked me out! I was truly awestruck. Those who know my collection will recognize that the Thunderbolt is outside my traditional comfort zone. However, there is something captivating about the watch that defies words. Max graciously allowed me to strap it on, and I was immediately under its spell. I know the phrase is overused and somewhat passé, but pictures absolutely do not do this watch justice. One must experience the Thunderbolt in order to appreciate its genius. The Thunderbolt is far more bold and audacious than any watch I have previously tried on, yet it sang to me loudly and melodically. It will not fit under a dress shirt, and should not be worn if legal troubles mandate a low profile, but otherwise, the Thunderbolt works. It works on every level, above and below the surface, and every dimension. The Thunderbolt is a watch that will be talked about for decades to come and remembered as a landmark piece and a horological benchmark.
Many thanks to Max and Stephen for a wonderful evening!!!
I apologize in advance for the terrible photos taken with my iPhone under very poor lightening.
Craig
Dinner with the Mad Scientist and his Machine
intriguing
Interesting
Agree
