MB&F Legacy Machine No.1 Xia Hang Performance Art

DonCorson · 2014-02-27T12:28:19Z

First look at MB&F Legacy Machine No.1 Xia Hang, a unique collaboration featuring an alien power reserve indicator. See photos and collector opinions.

DonCorson

WPS member · Independents forum

17 replies5296 views13 photos

DonCorson introduces MB&F's Legacy Machine No.1 Xia Hang, a "Performance Art" collaboration unveiled a month before BaselWorld 2014. This piece merges MB&F's 19th-century inspired horology with contemporary artist Xia Hang's alien sculptures, notably featuring a power reserve indicator as a slumping or upright alien figure on the dial. DonCorson provides the first images, including a wrist shot, offering an initial look at this unique fusion of art and watchmaking.

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With only a month until BaselWorld 2014 MB&F announces its newest watch the Legacy Machine Nr.1 Xia Hang Performance Art piece. Xia Hang, a young contemporary artist from Peking and one of the first artists showing at the MB&F M.A.D Gallery collaborated to make this watch, a combination of the 19th-century inspired MB&F Legacy Machine and the cool alien creatures of Xia Hang. The alien sitting on the dial raises and slumps to show the state of winding of the watch.

Enough words, here are the first pictures with wrist shot, on my wrist.

This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2014-02-27 12:29:10 This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2014-02-27 13:22:42 This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2014-02-27 13:52:45

Key Points from the Discussion

While the artistic collaboration is appreciated, some contributors feel the alien power reserve indicator sacrifices clarity compared to the original LM1's lever bar, making it harder to gauge the winding state.
The integration of an alien figure into a 'Legacy Machine' concept, which pays homage to old masters, creates a perceived dissonance for some, questioning its appropriateness within the LM series' aesthetic.
The original LM1 was considered perfect by some, and the addition of the alien, while artistic, is seen by critics as an unnecessary change that doesn't improve the watch and lacks practical purpose.
The author, DonCorson, admits to personal ambivalence towards the LM series, feeling a dissonance between the dial-side and movement-side designs, despite his appreciation for the HM series.
Despite concerns about practicality, the artistic and whimsical nature of the alien power reserve is praised by some, who see it as a successful blend of mechanical horological art and art for art's sake, reflecting personal feelings of energy levels.
The collaboration is seen as a great idea for a stunning watch, with some appreciating the incorporation of art, drawing parallels to other brands that integrate micro-sculpture.

The Discussion

moc

Feb 27, 2014

Very cool indeed....

Great interpretation,bravo Max for the vision......well done. Mo

Spellbound

Feb 27, 2014

That is quite an interpretation.

Great idea for a stunning watch. I am not too sure though whether I would choose the alien over the original LM1 but love the idea of incorporating art. Greubel Forsey did this to the extreme with the micro sculpture in the crown, Thanks for the wonderful pictures. Dean

Indohorology

Feb 27, 2014

wowww!!! love the alien PR thing...

Now i really want the "enhanced" WG LM1.... Good Job Max, Xia Hang, and the team! cheers! alex

akitaishi

Feb 28, 2014

To be on the contrary,...

From the pictures taken, I feel that it is harder to read the "power reserve" level when the lever is now an alien on this art version. Don't get me wrong. I really like the LMs. But the replacement of the lever bar with this alien construct has lost some indication clarity. Any views ?

amerix

Feb 28, 2014

Apart from a vague impression

I could not see what was there - and happening. Regards, amerix

HPoirot

Mar 9, 2014

Art...

... is rarely practical. While it's true it's much harder to gauge your power reserve from this statue, i'm of the opinion that the spirit of this collaboration tends towards the artistic, rather than the practical. Besides, the LM1 was already perfect, it's not surprising that changing anything doesn't improve it. ;) So, love it, hate that i will have to rob a bank to buy it.

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MB&F Legacy Machine No.1 Xia Hang Performance Art

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