MB&F Horological Machine N°8 "Can-Am" Review

Mark in Paris offers an insightful review of the MB&F Horological Machine N°8 "Can-Am," drawing connections to its automotive inspirations from 1960s/70s racing. This article details the significant redesign of the case and movement from its HM5 predecessor, emphasizing Max Büsser's dedication to aesthetic detail and complex engineering. Readers will appreciate the deep dive into the watch's unique design philosophy and technical modifications.

Hi everyone,

I was able to handle the new MB&F Horological Machine n°8 a month ago and thought I could share with you my impressions and some live pictures.

The new HM8 is based on the HM5 model unveiled in 2012 (inspired by sport vehicles from the 1960’s/1970’s such as the Miura for instance and the iconic Amida watch from the 1980’s). However, to be clear, the movement base is similar but has been quite significantly modified and the overall case has been totally redesigned and doesn’t use the same material anymore.

The movement has been redesigned in order to be placed the opposite way in the case. The latter modification was done because the case is now made of sapphire, and now the winding rotor is visible from the top. It is quite a significant load of work for such an aesthetic change and tells reveals the fact Max Büsser is known for paying attention to details, even at much higher cost.

THE WATCH BACKGROUND

To sum-up, MB&F sets the scene by saying that the “5”, like its predecessor HM5 (and HMX), this new Machine “revives a powerful emotion from fast supercars and motor racing. During the legendary “Can-Am” racing championship, which started exactly 50 years ago – a crazy, no-limits series which generated amazing, insanely powerful cars during the late 60s and 70s. Many of those cars produced by the likes of McLaren, Lola or Porsche featured open engines protected by roll bars – one of the most striking traits of our new Machine”.

The HM5...

... and the “3” because of the HM3 series (here below): the famous battle-axe rotor is back on the HM8 (3+5), sitting firmly between the Can-Am roll bars.

Hence, the motorsport theme is still there but in a less obvious way, with a much more artistic and unique new design.

THE WATCH

The case (49 mm x 51.5 mm x 19 mm) is totally new and has nothing to do with the HM5, except maybe the overall shape aspect. By the way, the horological machine design is managed by Eric Giroud.

The main cover is made of different Sapphire parts. MB&F has been working with Sapphire case parts from quite a long time now (since HM2) and the work is faultless. The different Sapphire parts are added together with a heat/vacuum technique (Azulab collage) leading to a perfect result as there are no bothering screws of any sort on such a pure design, except were intended i.e. on the roll bars and lugs.

The "roll bars" (made of Titanium) are one of the main appealing elements of the watch: they don’t have a round section but are flattened: that detail makes them look stunning from all angles.

The numerals disks are printed with Luminova which should have quite an impressive look in darker situations.

The kind of lugs (brushed and polished edges), the bars, the “MB&F” plaque, the different finish of the winding rotor, everything plays a role here.

In fact, wherever you look, there is a detail, an edge finish, a polished/brushed contrast that definitely make you think that you want to possess one to admire it for long minutes. The HM5 was different as it was nearly entirely brushed and as the Sapphire work on the HM8 allows playing with light reflections and displays a fantastic show from inside.

A little video showing the way it looks when moving...

The case back is amazingly designed as well, in a surprisingly very different style from the rest of the watch due to its flatness and straight lines. However, it is very appealing as well. By the way, this made me realize that regular case back parts aren’t usually very nice looking...

The HM8’s automatic movement (42-hours power reserve) drives bidirectional jumping hours and sweeping minutes projected vertically thanks to optical-grade sapphire crystal prisms like with the HM5.

The finishing of this prism is incredible and especially the slightly chamfered edges, as I tried to show on my picture here below: the little "triangles" used to oversize the numerals have a thin edge chamfering, making these elements look even greater and a kind of detail that the observer appreciates right away.

However, the main change is that it isn’t the same as the HM5’s part but adds a gap between the two registers, needing additional Sapphire crafting work and finishing.

The watch is available in two versions, combining Ti with red or Ti with white gold and is fitted with a hand-stitched alligator strap in marine blue (white gold case) and dark brown (red gold case) with a very comfortable folding buckle in matching case material.

Some additional technical details FYI: 

Engine

Three-dimensional engine conceived and developed by MB&F from a Girard-Perregaux base calibre

Automatic battle-axe winding rotor in 22k gold

Balance frequency: 28,800bph / 4Hz

Number of components: 247

Number of jewels: 30

Case

Number of components: 60 components

Water resistance: 30 m / 3 atm 

Sapphire crystals

All sapphire crystals – front, back, top, bottom – treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces

And more about it on the MB&F site, section HM8 here: https://www.mbandf.com/en/machines/horological-machines/hm8

And a few wrist shots...

CONCLUSION

Well, after I tried it, I must say this is a stunning piece, in terms of originality (not very new regarding MB&F creations, whether we talk about watches or table clock etc…) but especially in terms of finishing and complex crafting techniques.

It is not a watch you will wear as often as you can wear a Legacy Machine (any of the 3 references available today), but you’ll have a much higher feeling to wear something different, a true conversation piece and made to the highest finishing standards when admiring the whole case work.

This is not discreet because of its unusual shape and great finishing decoration that play with light. But this is clearly not what we are looking for when considering MB&F watches. This watch is something to hold in ones hand at least once to take the whole sense of the work. I hope the pictures might give you an idea and encourage you to stop by a retailer if you can (for any of their pieces by the way…).

I'm curious to read your thoughts too about this one

Cheers, Mark