DonCorson's BaselWorld 2013 report on MB&F highlights the brand's innovative approach, particularly with the HM5 and HM3 Megawind. This article explores how MB&F masterfully blends 1970s automotive design cues with cutting-edge horological engineering, creating timepieces that challenge conventional watchmaking. It also touches upon their unique collaboration with Reuge on the MusicMachine, showcasing MB&F's expansive creative vision beyond traditional watches.
Maximilian Büsser and Friends My first encounter with the HM5, we are back by '70s automobile design. Louvers, open and closed. Hidden headlights in which we can read the time.
Here we see the movement of the HM5. It has 2 disks for the minute and hours display and a prism to let those show up the right way around in the front window.
Note the two small holes at the back of the watch right and left. These "exhaust pipes" let any water that has gotten through the louvers exit the watch. The waterproofing is not at the outside of the watch in this case, but through an internal case. So any water doesn't stay inside an exit is provided.
The HM3 MEGAWIND relinquishes its date indication to place the automatic winding rotor at the center of attention. Note also that the hour and minute cones turn with the reading point stationary, much easier to read than the former rotating pointer.
Stepping out of the horological frame the MusicMachine is a product of Reuge and MB&F. Reuge, based in Ste.-Croix (also home of the Vianney Halter watches) was founded in 1865 and is today the only manufacturer of high end music boxes left on our planet. The MusicMachine is a double barrel music box, each barrel playing 3 different tunes. One cylinder plays the three tunes, Another Brick in the Wall, Smoke on the Water, and Imagine. The other barrel plays extracts from Star Wars, Imperial March, and Star Trek.
The Machines propellers are the winding keys directly attached to the winding barrels below. The 2 movements each have alloy steel and lead combs with 72 notes.
