MB&F HM4 'Panda' Only Watch Ownership

Bernard Cheong shares an intimate look at his MB&F HM4 'Panda' Only Watch, acquired in 2011. He details the unique artistry and complex case construction that make this timepiece a significant bridge between horology and fine art. Cheong's personal insights highlight the watch's enduring value beyond its initial auction price.

Never thought I would one day have the purist's passion for art grow to this extent, but to actually buy the Only Watch MB&F or any company for that matter, makes.

These watches are usually so expensive.

I was lucky.

Here are pics of the watch, except for the first one.

I took them with my trusty old first generation (most of these images anyway, if I recall) Lumix G micro 4/3 s.

The Panda MB7F returns after a clean up of dust scratches etc done in house, as this case is so damned complex.

It is why I wrote a little about how important the flanks/sides of any watch is..see my earlier watch tech post on "1 the Flanks".

The Golden Panda MB&F

as described in auction, this is the designation.

Cost 170,000 euros after taxes.

I am fortunate it was 2011, when most people were only aware of MB&F's machine 3..and later machine 1.

I have already confirmed friends, who have offered me $300,000 USD in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, and auction house interests, so I have some peace of mind.

The article I posted arlier will explain my personal interest, as I see the watch as a whole, this is not done...most see the watch as a movement and separately as a case.

They are assessed apart.

I don't.

The case here is more obvious, as the movement will ONLY fit an MB&F machine of a very specific, and in this case, probably iconic piece.

This will be the rare times in horology, where a direct attempt to bridge into art is done.

The Paris based Chinese artist needs no introduction, Huang Hankang.

The Panda is done wth the lost wax technique, and is remarkably detailed, even to the nostrils and coloring. It is in white gold.

Easily detached. It serves to protect the two bulbous "engines" from scratches, should you brush your wrist against anything..very thoughtful, although it may be coincidental.

The timing precision is top notch accurate, against my spring drive SEIKO.

Winding it is an actual ergonomic delight, as the back jets are easily turned with the watch on wrist.

Here, you can see why making an absolutely accurate, flatly accurate radii of the two are so difficult...as you can imagine they both curve in a parabolic line.

Doing black polish to the margins of the windows and to th bezel is simply superb, expensive, time consumingly terrifying.

Hand wound solid gold ropes! Perfectly wound, to Cartier/Hermes level standards by Huang.

Perfect black polish to te spectacular designed frame like margins to the "brush" finish, it is not really brush, but an obviously difficult to render in a even way...it looks as if the surface was painted on with liquid titanium.

OK..this is a watch which you WILL cry if you scratch those jet engines!

Note the obvious respect to Swiss level work in accuracy, with the impeccable sapphire portion sandwiched in and held in perfect, no tolerance to error with 3 "stabilizers" with poles to link them.

Note the show off of work in the internally curved, yet brushed, strap holders.

Note the very complex and difficult to finish two movable "arms" that serve to hold the strap attachments...they have a cut out of three ovals, and are countersunk into the arms...all finished in detail by brush finish.

Note black polish to anglage done to the arms, bezel, and most of, if not all the external parts.

You can see how Max has planned his product line, and how these can be looked afer, as you wear them over the ages, from one generation to another,

My name is "bear" in some languages, my two daughters, and the heart..Dolly my wife.

That is why this watch is special to me.

Nest to my Opus 3, another dream watch by Max at Harry Winston.

Probably THE dream Opus, next to Opus V.

H

Here, irin gan, an actress posess with the watch, she has VERY small wrists, and the watch fits...it is a total eye catcher, the watch.

of course, I always will stress that watch collecting should not be exclusive as a hobby.

Many fun, interesting pieces can be owned at lower prices.

Enjoy!!!!

I own both of these, and really, it is not about money, but the joy of a hobby.

Thanks for reading! I hope it is a unique look and experience for you.

Best, Bernard