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The men that made HM1 possible
One of the things that struck me as unique was the set of people or shall I say, a set of brilliant watchmakers and wonderful human beings that collaborated and worked together to make the HM1 a reality. Rarely have I seen or read about maestros coming together in this fashion. It would not be incorrect, if I were to say that HM1 contains the DNA of some of the great watchmakers. And who are they?
1. Peter Speake Marin: the brilliant watchmaker known for his independent eponymous brand. The main pillar who rallied the others around for MB&F in Jan 2007.
2. Stephen McDonnell: who is now in the limelight for his pathbreaking LM Perpetual; a watch that challenged all perceptions about perpetual calendar’s limitations and whose calendar functions cannot be damaged by any level of misuse. Not a watchmaker by qualification, but transformed into one when he started with HM1.
3. Stephen McGonigle: co-founder of the McGonigle Brothers, a much adored and respected brand. Known for classic design and haute hologerie via the easily recognisable Tuscar and the Minute Repeater.
4. Stewart Lesemann, who was part of the team that worked with Vianney Halter on the Antiqua ; and later moved to work with another brilliant watchmaker, the late Derek Pratt.
5. Marco Koskinen, a pedigreed watchmaker ( and watchmaking instructor at Finnish watchmaking school) having spent the early years at Omega and later on assembling hi-complication movements for Christophe Claret.
6. Laurent Besse, movement designer who later founded Les Artisans Horlogers (and sadly defunct later); credited with re-engineering Corum Golden Bridge.
HM1 was ahead of its time by its avant garde design and technical features comprising a twin-pair coupled 4-barrels delivering 8 day power reserve , central 1 minute tourbillon; and sapphire bridges.
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The men that made HM1 possible
One of the things that struck me as unique was the set of people or shall I say, a set of brilliant watchmakers and wonderful human beings that collaborated and worked together to make the HM1 a reality. Rarely have I seen or read about maestros coming to...
