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AndrewD
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My thoughts on the MB&F Legacy Machine No. 1

Hi All,

By now you will have seen and read about Max Busser's new creation, the Legacy Machine No. 1 (LM1). While visiting Singapore recently I was fortunate to be able talk to Max and handle the new watches. I have had a few days to let the impact of this new MB&F sink in and thought I would share my impressions with you all.

While most of us have been expecting the fifth Horological Machine, a continuation of Max's vision of futuristic watches grounded in his childhood diet of 1960's Sci-Fi, the LM1 is a departure from what we were expecting, but it still has the distinct stamp of Max’s work and really couldn’t be anything but an MB&F watch. And when Max works with so many collaborators – the ‘friends’ – that says a lot about Max’s strength as a designer and visionary.

Max said he got a kick out of telling people over the last year, when asked what his next watch was, that it would be “a round watch with a simple white dial”. No one, of course, believed him!

Max goes to great pains to explain why this piece is NOT a retro, steam punk design because the LM1 is firmly rooted in 19th century horology, not someone's imagination as to what modern technology would look like transposed to a previous age. Despite Max’s insistence, the LM1 does strike my as steampunk, and I will go out on a limb and say that the LM1 is the most important watch in this genre since Vianney Halter's Antiqua. Which is interesting because Max cites the Antiqua and the Urwerk 103 as the two watches which "fractured" his views on watchmaking.

When I first saw the LM1 the watch that came to mind (which is not surprising when you know my biases) was the F.P.Journe Resonance. Not only the dual dials, but also the independent time setting for two time zones. When I put this to Max he said that he loved the Resonance and Beat Haldimann's H1 and they both inspired the new LM1 to some degree. Those two watches are certainly 'in there' but the LM1 is so much more.

While I have always loved the MB&F Horological Machines from a pure design and horological perspective, I could never really see myself wearing one. They are both too large and too avant-garde for me to incorporate them into my lifestyle, and I like to wear the watches I own. But Max has done something very smart with the Legacy line. He has engaged a whole new demographic of watch lovers. The LM1 is more traditional in execution, but still embodies all the characteristics that we love about MB&F: new mechanical designs but based on traditional horological technique, three-dimensionality, and of course the collaboration of ‘friends’.

While not a limited edition, the LM1 will be produced in limited numbers; thirty pieces in 2011 and 60 per year thereafter. This is half the number of Horological Machines produced per annum.

The LM1 is a true time machine in so many ways; Jules Verne meets dual time zones meets timeless time machine. Bravo Max and bring on Legacy Machine No. 2 in 2013 …

Andrew

Max Busser was as charismatic as ever, and obviously very excited about the his new baby. He mentioned again how hard it is to refrain from telling us about LM2, HM5, HM6 etc. Spoilers sweety ...

The 44x16mm Legacy Machines in rose (red) gold (L) and white gold (R) …

The sextant-like power reserve, the first vertical PR on a watch ...

I asked Max if he considered using Arabic numerals on one dial to differentiate it, but he liked the symmetry of the two dials. He also excluded putting a 24 hour display on one side.

The architecturally curved balance wheel bridge. Eiffel Tower anyone?

”Like looking at an undersea city” …

The domed sapphire crystal has antireflective coating on both sides. Seven years ago this large dome would have been difficult to execute, but with advancements in the industry (helped by people like Max pushing the envelope with watches such as the ‘Frog’) this is now relatively straightforward …

Large 14mm balance wheel hovering above the dial and gently ‘breathing’ at 18,000 vph (2.5Hz). The power reserve is 45 hours. The escape wheel is in PVD blue steel and it is delightful to see the escapement so clearly …

The traditional design work and finish of Kari Voutilainen is apparent and the finish is what we would expect. Kari signs off on each completed piece …

The signatures on the rear are not in the typical MB&F font. When so many try to preserve their brand identity, Max chose a font that was harmonious with the movement design …

The rubies are set in gold chatons with polished countersinks. The literally 'pop'!

Matching gold tang buckle by Erbas S.A. …

… and photographed the watches with whatever was close to hand …

And finally, my thanks to the staff of The Hour Glass, Singapore, for making a traveller feel very welcome …