Max Busser and friends #4! The plane that is also a watch!
The watch show Belles Montres in Paris in November was a first opportunity for me to see the HM4 by Max Busser and his friends. I had seen the base calibre in Basel in March, but the full watch was still yet to meet.
I've really appreciated the HM2 and would like to wear it but was far less appealed by the HM1 and HM3. I can say that the HM4 is my favourite so far.
I'll have to see if I dislike HM5 and love HM6 to see if there's a rule there.
I think I know why I love the HM4. The first three models were primarily watches, what HM4 is no longer IMO.
I see the HM4 as a toy, a plane engine model, a fantasy spacecraft, a sculpture on the wrist.
To some extent the HM4 is a teleportation wrist remote control. It eventually indicates the time, but that's not the point.
In my opinion the point is to make us forget the time we are in.
You can strap on the watch and forget present time. You can forget present life. You can forget limits.
You can become the adult the child you were wanted to become.
I arrived a bit too late for the Star Trek generation and know much more of Star Wars.
I can just say of Star Trek that I see the spirit of this watch as a pure fantasy exploratory watch. While many wear tool watches that they will never use as intended (or marketed) some may want to wear watches aimed at dreaming……
If you've ever dreamt of exploring the outer space, this watch is for you.
Obviously this watch design is linked to the engine part of a craft, to the power, the energy, the speed, the crossing of unlimited spaces.
How far will you go with it?
The watch functions, or indications, are really simple. You get the time, hours and minutes, and the power reserve. For once you don't need more.
If you want to check that the watch is running, you can look at the balance on the top side.
Looking at this watch I wonder if some watchmaker could imagine another indication of the power reserve, linked to the present time. The left hand dial could indicate not the remaining power reserve, but the estimated time when the watch would stop if not winded. I'm pretty sure that would a very complicated way of indicating a very simple information.
Some may want to remind the Parmigiani Bugatti watch that had such time indication. Let's say that the HM4 links the indication to a very different world. While the Parmigiani Bugatti watch is/was a very beautiful and appealing watch, the automobile world is in my opinion less and less a fascinating world. It's getting harder and harder to dream about cars that show their limits everyday, while the outer space can still be a source of inspiration.
Will we ever see the fictions of the sixties and seventies ever become a reality?
Should the fantasy remain a fantasy?
Will we even be able to visit our planet so easily in the future, as men are building walls of hate among them?
The common aspect of Star Trek and Star Wars is in my opinion the wish of an extended universality, the installation of a generalized democracy and the openness towards the unknown. In our tourism modern cultures the spirit of exploration has disappeared. We certainly lack it and the HM4's appeal certainly revives that desire.
The fascination for extreme powers is another aspect that the HM4 revives. Such aim and the corresponding technology have always been flirting with the Pandora box myth. Should such power remain a fantasy is another question we may ask!
Can you imagine one of your modern heroes wearing a HM4? No I doubt! We're talking about fantasy.
Why shall we dream only about serious watches? Let's dream of this one, with this one!
For once I don't see any status symbol with this one, any show of any wealth. I just see fantasy!
That's the watch for the man who wants to be a child, not for the child who wants to be a man. It's up to you to choose your side. The HM4 is not the ultimate watch, but it could well be the watch of your ultimate dream!
For me this watch will remain a dream, but it definitely makes me dream! Will we dream and travel the outer space together?
What will be your 2011 year ?
Cheers
Dje
Great photography...
For the watch, it looks for like an old plane to me. For some reason, I think of the movie Memphis Belle, which I love.
As for dreams, no..this watch doesn't make me dream.....it is to me a more nostalgic piece than progressive.
For what it is and the price point, it is a nice sculpture piece on the hand but then I would rather go for a H1.
But as an overall MBF, I think this is the second piece I like about the brand and I have a feeling that I will love the HM5, if not the HM6.....
Very soon, I will love MBF......near , not yet but I'm convince soon I will. It is definitely getting stronger and stronger.....
The passion is there and the direction is pretty clear, just need to find one which I myself can relate to.
Currently, I still think it is a touch over designed. Beautiful as it is but can't give me the droooooooooool factor yet.
But as a brand, I love what it represents.
Max is elegantly cool.
*CL
great photos of piece of art on the wrist...
saw the Thunderbolt at the Winter GTG and was simply amazed at the piece...
and your great photos and words managed to capture the magic in the piece...thank you!
Could it be that you like the watch Jerome ?
I don't see all that, althougt I am from the Star Trek generation, but for those that do, dream on!
Don
For mr...I see gradual move for MBF
No 1 is a watch that demonstrated the concept....of collaboration between individual watchmakers, a polar opposite to Richemonts of this world, and the emergence of independents that express time telling and watch design in a different manner. In many way, it's a traditional watch, expressed in untraditional way and made in the untraditional manner.
No 2 is a watch that screams steampunk. It's probably also more commercial to gain market share. And also the fusion of materials ala Hublot. Pricewise, it competes with Ltd. Ed AP ROOs and high end Hublots.
No 3 is start of sci-fi and also to me defines what forthcoming machines will be. As much as no 4 screams star trek, no3 screams star wars even louder...very millennium falcon.
As I don't own no4, and prob can't afford it, I can't comment, but I agree with you that it does take away the drudgery of our daily living and move us to a sci-fi fantasy world, whereby imagination of space and a democratized world ala Star Trek. Unfortunately, I is also in a price range that is me living as a imagined cartoon character Richie Rich.
Best, with regards and respect
Horo
My friend.. you rightfully associate 2 brands (albeit one is a model)
that greatly instigate my current skepticism and fuels my ongoing horfatigue... and for commercial exploits (well not the same word but intent perhaps the same?)... indeed, the recent wave of variants with the chocolate being the latest, seems to suport this logic strongly.. (can't begrduge the need for profit)..... but maybe it detracts from what some may associate with independent horology?
Over cafe where it's "easier" to discuss....
Sure mate...we discussed this several times, and the conclusions fluctuates though
Granted profit motive, as every economic entity should be, the price points in many ways reflects that stance...small volume high prices. However I draw a line, or imagine I do, between AP ROOs and Hublots unlimited limited editions and that of MBFs.
firstly, the volumes are largely different, there are 10 choco frogs versus say another 100 Hublot God Know What limited edition, though as a point of indictment, the percentage of special editions versus regular production would be much higher if Max pursues the limited edition route, relative to Ap n Hublots. But I will be willing to accept that, if it is said up front, that as a SUM total...including all variants in different metals and all limited editions, eg if there will be xxx number in total, then it is acceptable to me as a collector.
Secondly, the limited editions must be meaningful. I generally hate dial and case colour change and rebadged as some special edition. That's why I feel the MBf 2.2 is a good interpretation by another artist/watch maker Alain Silberstein and the Bucheron 3 is a fantastic cross between jewellry and horology.
Lastly, one can even argue the raison d'etre for independents is 1) vision 2) workmanship 3) personable 4)anti establishment. If any of these qualities are NOT reflected in any of their offerings, including special and limited editions, then the product will suffer.
Max is a super smart guy, he knows what he is doing. Perhaps it's the right strategy...anywAy, this thread is about the Machine 4, not variants of 2 and 3. Perhaps we should start another thread for that.....
Best, with respect and regards
Horo
We continue our ongoing horofatigue induced debate on LEs over cafe...less contentious :-) [nt]
Production figures
Forgive me if I am misreading your comment, but I want this to be clear. The stated purpose of MB&F is to CREATE. That is what we enjoy. Any marketing or other activities are only there so that we can continue to create freely long into the future. With our minuscule production numbers and our commitment to creating, I have a hard time understanding your criticism.
Last year we produced a total of 12 Black Frogs (limited edition) and 20 Ti Frogs (limited yearly production). This year we will produce 38 Frogs total including the 10 which we have specifically made as a 'thank you' for this community. Compared to the limited edition runs of any other brand, these are BEYOND rare.
Frankly, we could have sold 35 Ti Frogs each year and never made the other versions. Who wins in that scenario? We don't get the fun of creating new pieces and buyers don't get any choice. To compare this with other companies that make 500-5000 pieces for any occasion you can imagine is just simply not fair.
I usually stay away from these discussions, but I have to say that we work EXTREMELY hard to do what's best for the long term health of our company and for the amazing collectors all over the world that understand what we're doing and buy our pieces.
If you have any other questions I'm happy to answer them.
Best,
Steve
Hi Steve. No doubt that Max, you and
MB&F works hard to create new machines. That is evident.
For me, it's not a case of just the quantity produced but the variants. I would have the same impression of ROO and Bangs even if they had just 1 pc of a say a ceramic red dial ROO, 1 pc of a rubber green dial and all the other spewing they have for ROOs etc... and even if they were LEs which hold little meaning nowadays as evidenced by some brands running 1500 pc LE series. More variants for me dilute exclusivity as it generally does and must... for me. With the original WG and RG HM3s, they were very exclusive. With all the different frogs as example (but it applies for the HM2 variants as well... for me).. they are less exclusive even if only 1 frog and 1 choco frog were produced... for me... simply becuase there are more variants. My view of the HM1 and HM4 are the same. Now, they are exclusive... if a choco HM1/4 or a green HM1/4, or a sapphire or ceramic HM1/4 for example were to folow, they will inevitably be less exclusive however small the production run of the new variants will be. How could they not be as there are more. That however is just me and my limited view of the world.
MB&F I feel as of now, is stil not at the marketing level of ROO, Hublot, PAM and for me, I hope it does not get there. A play on case materials and multiple LE variants is not what I look for in independents. If I wanted and bought in to that, I'd but a ROO, PAM, Bang and IWC figi or zidane or some person LE. That again is just my view. The same will go for Dufour and Halter. IF Dufour kept releasing his simplicity in different materials and dial colors and played on LEs, for me, and maybe one or two others, the simplicity MAY not as exclusive as it is now and perhaps the posivtive perceptions it commands with many may be diluted.
All the above said, I don't and am in no place to begrudge any brand wanting to adopt such a strategy. The commerical bait is very strong and logical. I would do the same if charged with running a watch brand and my logical KPI was profit, market share etc but with that these commercial trappings, I feel values of independent creativity etc which so many here have elaborated on, will naturally be challenged as it is after all much much easier to create a HM3 choco for example than the upcoming HM5 I would imagine. I really look forward to the HM5 but not variants of the HM1/2/3/4. Again.. just me and not a crticism on MB&F but a general comment on brands that exploit case and color variants under the guise of LEs.
Thank you to share figures with us Steve, it's always interesing and gives perspective! n
Chocolate is going to be the hottest colour since
black. Mark my words, don't frown on brown.
- SJX
Thank you for your comments
Thank you for your handful comments!
We don't have so many opportunities to read from the owner of three HM models.
Is this your HM2?
I love this version.
Cheers
Dje
Howdy
Yes, it is my 2.2...I have some sort of a family shot....and I actually intend to write about all three of them, and my feelings towards them after owning each between 1-2 years plus, sort of then and now, and if the freshness of the concept of the machines still hold true.
One of the earliest comments made by collectors were "gimmicky" and would not stand the test of time. Whilst I can't say how it will be after a decade, yet, I think a sort of interim report can add value to prospective owners. Also we are seeing increasing number of machines available in the secondary market...is that because the first owners got tired of them, or they move on to another machine?
Another criticism often heard over collectors dinners and gatherings is a lot of independents are becoming like brands...tons of marketing, and lacking in substance. It is very easy to see why, but my hypothesis is that the length of ownership and frequency of usage and wear, has an inverse relationship to the amount of marketing fluff.
That picture you reproduced were from the Devon launch, which was quite funny. One side had all the "traditionalist" and the other table were all "avant garde" and willing, all this done in a Chinese restaurant, and it's clear that the Devon folks are not, shall we say, as "polished" as the Richemonts of this world(which is not a bad thing - I actually respect them for their guts and determination to bring out the T1, and the lack of BS about it"
Best,
Horo
So happy you like the Thunderbolt!
Best,
Steve
Thanks a lot Jérôme for your feelings about this Machine.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2010-12-29 13:59:00
Understood but...
Thank you Francois Xavier,
I understand your point but as I'm really shortsighted, I really appreciate easily readable watches. Maybe that's why....
Cheers
Dje