MB&F Horological Machines: Ultimate Reference Guide
Reference Guide

MB&F Horological Machines: Ultimate Reference Guide

By quattro · Feb 23, 2026 · 31 replies
quattro
WPS member · Independents forum
31 replies2513 views44 photos
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In this comprehensive overview, quattro embarks on a journey through MB&F's Horological Machines, from HM1 to HM11, offering a detailed look at their groundbreaking designs and technical innovations. This article serves as an invaluable resource for collectors seeking to understand the evolution of MB&F's whimsical yet highly complex horological creations. quattro's meticulous presentation highlights the unique characteristics that define each machine, making the intricate world of MB&F accessible to both seasoned enthusiasts and new admirers.

enjoythemusic kindly invited me yesterday to broaden my horizons and open myself up to more whimsical creations

Always open to friendly advice, I decided to play along

So here's an overview of the Horological Machines 1 through 11 by MB&F.


Horological Machine N°1 (2007) - MB&F official webpage

Raised central one-minute tourbillon, separate hours and minutes, 7-day power reserve

22k gold ‘battle-axe’ automatic winding rotor - Four mainspring barrels in parallel

3D case and dial - Dimensions: 41 x 64 x 14 mm








Horological Machine N°2 (2008) - MB&F official webpage

Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor and powered by a Sowind base (22k gold ‘battle-axe’ automatic winding rotor)

Left dial: retrograde date and bi-hemisphere moon phase - Right dial: jumping hours and concentric retrograde minutes

Dimensions: 59 x 38 x 13 mm








Horological Machine N°3 (2009) - MB&F official webpage

This version is the Megawind (giant battle axe rotor) and Sidewinder (cones perpendicular to arm). Several other versions have been made.

Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor - Sowind oscillator and gear train - 22k gold and titanium battle-axe automatic winding rotor

Hours on one cone and minutes on second cone - Dimensions 47 x 50 x 17 mm








Horological Machine N°4 - 2010 GPHG Concept & Design Watch prize - MB&F official webpage

This is the Thunderbolt version

Three-dimensional horological engine developed with Laurent Besse and Beranger Reynard - Manual winding with two mainspring barrels in parallel

Hours and minutes on right dial, power reserve indicator on left dial - Separate crowns for time setting and winding - Dimensions: 54 x 52 x 24mm







HM4 (left) and HM3 (right)




Horological Machine N°5 'On the Road Again' (2012) - MB&F official webpage

This is the HM5 CarbonMacrolon in CarbonMacrolon with stainless steel container

Three-dimensional horological engine developed by Jean-François Mojon and Vincent Boucard of Chronode and powered by a GP/Sowind gear train

Slide button to open/close flaps - Exhaust ports to drain water - Engine housed in a water resistant inner container

Bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes displayed by reflective sapphire crystal prism with integrated 20% magnifying lens - Dimensions: 51.5 x 49 x 22.5mm








Horological Machine N°6 'Space Pirate' (2014) - MB&F official webpage

This is the HM6 Ti with Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium

Three-dimensional horological engine developed exclusively for HM6 by MB&F with David Candaux

Flying Tourbillon with retractable shield and twin aluminium turbines driven by winding rotor - Power reserve: 72h

Hours and minutes on separate semi-spherical aluminium indications - Crown to open/close tourbillon shield







HM1 through 6 from left to right 



HM 4 - 5 - 1 - 6 - 3 - 2



HM 4 - 3 - 1 - 6 - 2 - 5


credit: Hodinkee


Horological Machine HMX (Created for the 10th anniversary of MB&F in 2015) - MB&F official webpage

Three-dimensional horological engine, composed of a jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F, powered by a Sellita gear train

Bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, displayed by dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens

Material: grade 5 titanium and stainless steel with detailing in black, green, blue or red - Dimensions: 46.8 x 44.3 x 20.7 mm








credit: Monochrome


Horological Machine N°7 'Aquapod'  - MB&F official webpage

Material: Grade 5 titanium or 18k 5N+ red gold or Platinum 950 - Spherical construction - Dimensions: 53.8 x 21.3 mm - Water resistance: 50 m / 165 feet / 5 atm

Three-dimensional vertical architecture, automatic winding, conceived and developed in-house by MB&F - Central 60-second flying tourbillon

Hours and minutes displayed by two aluminium / titanium spherical segment discs rotating on oversized central ceramic bearings (for the Platinum Red edition, three-dimensional “floating” hour and minute numerals)

Unidirectional rotating bezel for elapsed time - Numerals, markers and segments along the rotor in Super-LumiNova - 3 panels of AGT (Ambient Glow Technology) lume around the flying tourbillon

Two crowns: winding on left and time-setting on right






credit: A Blog To Watch


Horological Machine N°8 (2016) - MB&F official webpage

Three-dimensional horological engine conceived and developed by MB&F from a Girard-Perregaux base calibre (22k gold battle-axe automatic winding rotor)

Minutes and bi-directional jumping hours displayed by two optical prisms that both reflect and magnify

Material: 18k white gold/titanium and 18k 5N+ red gold/titanium - Dimension: 49 x 51.5 x 19 mm






credit: Hodinkee


Horological Machine N°9 'Flow & Sapphire Vision' (2018) - MB&F official webpage

Grade 5 titanium construction - Dimensions: 57 x 47 x 23 mm

Manual-winding in-house movement - Two fully independent balance wheels with planetary differential

Hours and minutes on vertical dial display





‘Road’ edition with speedometer dial and red gold-finished movement



‘Air’ edition with aviation-style dial and NAC-finish movement


credit: Monochrome


Horological Machine N°10 'Bulldog' (2020) - MB&F official webpage

Manual-winding in-house movement - Bespoke flying 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the domed dials - Frequency: 2.5Hz (18,000bph)

Super-LumiNova on hour/minute domes and markers - Hours on left dome (rotating in 12 hours) - Minutes on right dome (rotating in 60 minutes)

Power reserve indicated by opening and closing of the jaws (end of power reserve=closed jaws) - Dimensions: 54 x 45 x 24 mm (grade 5 titanium)








credit: Hodinkee


Horological Machine N°11 'Architect & Art Deco' (2023 & 2025) - MB&F official webpage

Below is the HM11 Architect (2023) in titanium with blue dial plate

Display markers (HM11 Architect): conical rods in stainless steel (Ø 0.50mm to 0.60mm), darker beads in polished titanium and lighter beads in polished aluminium (Ø 1.30mm to 2.40mm)

Three-dimensional horological engine featuring flying tourbillon and bevel gears, developed in-house by MB&F - Mechanical movement, manual winding (by turning the entire case clockwise) - Power reserve: 4 days (96 hours)

Hour and minutes - Power reserve - Temperature (-20 to 60° Celsius, or 0 to 140° Fahrenheit) - Dimensions: 42mm diameter x 23mm height - Water resistance: 20m / 68’ / 2ATM








credit: Hodinkee 


I hope you have enjoyed the playful journey.

This kind of horology doesn't speak to me personally, but it doesn't prevent me from admiring the endless creativity and fantasy.

Best, Emmanuel

About the De Bethune DB25 Ref. DB25

De Bethune DB25 Reference DB25

The DB25 represents De Bethune's entry in the 44.5mm manual-wind category, distinguished by its silver dial configuration within the DB25 series. This reference launched in 2006 and continues the brand's approach to contemporary haute horlogerie complications.

The 44.5mm case is crafted from 18k white gold with a fixed bezel and sapphire crystal. Water resistance extends to 30 meters. The manual-winding caliber DB2105 movement provides a substantial 120-hour power reserve. The watch features a leather strap attachment.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking De Bethune's technical approach to timekeeping in a precious metal case. The extended power reserve and manual-wind operation position it for enthusiasts who appreciate hands-on interaction with their timepieces. The 44.5mm sizing places it in contemporary proportions within the independent watchmaking segment.

Specifications

Caliber
DB2105
Case
18k White Gold
Diameter
44.5 mm
Dial
Silver
Water Resist.
30m
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
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enjoythemusic
Feb 23, 2026

...and a VERY bad influence too... in ALL the right ways PS: Have written erotica under a psudo... wonder if there's anyone who'd desire... horology'rotica? I could feel her supple leather strap embrace me My ever-so-willing wrist My body, now eager Time, like the beating heart of lovers

SA
SALMANPK
Feb 23, 2026

However two stood out to me MB&F And Alain Silberstein HM2.2 “Black Box” Watch Source: Quill & Pad, Horologium And MB&F Horological Machine No. 5 Source: ablogtowatch I like them, the idea, the execution, would I wear them? Not Sure.

MA
Marc Obermann
Feb 23, 2026

Having said that when it comes to the Legacy Machines I feel completely differently, as this kind of horology really does speak to me and I find them both fascinating and stunning in equal measures. I could quite happily lose hours looking at all the fine details in those amazing creations and I would love to own one of them even if most ultra modern watches are not my thing these are the exception to the rule. Many thanks to both you and enjoythemusic for taking me on this detailed journey of d

PI
piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1)
Feb 23, 2026

The machine become a true artwork whose main feature is telling the time. I still remember when I tried it, a jaw dropping architecture in a bold design. I’m also thankful that Max has given to the mortals the chance to buy the MAD series, which is obviously another level, but yet means as lot for true aficionados Thank you for the amazing report

QU
quattro
Feb 23, 2026

As I'm sure you know, 'horology'rotica' is definitely a thing: just think about the several Blancpain minute repeaters, like this one sold by Phillips or this one sold by Sotheby's ! Ulysse Nardin also made many, if I remember well. Cheers, Emmanuel

QU
quattro
Feb 23, 2026

They're a kind of their own and in a league of their own. That said, they don't speak more to me, personally. But I still fully understand their importance and greatness. Best, Emmanuel

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