MBF

MB&F HM3 ReBel Watch

The minds behind popular boutique high-end watch brand MB&F are always thinking, and often quite clever. While not necessarily obvious, the new special version of their Horological Machine number 3 called the "ReBel" is actually the first of a series of timepieces that give a less than likely source a bit of celebrity - the watch retailer. Each year many timepieces are made in honor of a brand's relationship with a celebrity, hoping that the connection with lure the attention of consumers. Such campaigns require loads of marketing investment as well. For a smaller brand like MB&F, instead of massive budgets, it is their retailers combined with their own clever marketing tactics that spreads word of their wares. So why not leverage that a bit more by making your retailers celebrities?

The MB&F HM3 ReBel is dedicated to Laurent Picciotto, the proprietor of the high-end watch store in Paris called Chronopassion. The watch is a lefty version of the HM3, meaning that built inversely to operate on one's right wrist, versus their left wrist. The case is done in 18k white gold, that has been PVD black coated for a dark gray finish. Inside is an automatic movement. Only 18 of these watches will be made. You can learn more about the base HM3 watch here.

Tags: chronopassion, HM3, Laurent Picciotto, MBF, ReBel, watch

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MB&F & Boucheron Team Up For The JwlryMachine Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

What are these two men so happy about? Must be the release of the very special HM3 JwlryMachine timepiece. These men are MB&F founder Max Busser and Boucheron President Jean-Cristophe Bedos. I must admit I don't understand what "Jewelry" was shortened like that, but I love the watch. Using the MB&F Horological Machine Number 3 as a base, Boucheron was given free reign to create a special watch that exhibited the strengths of both brands. Boucheron is used to cooperating with other brands, as many Boucheron timepieces contain Girard-Perregaux movements. MB&F also has some experience engaging in such creative collaborations - and this relationship has produced a lovely offspring.

The watch known as the JwlryMachine is made of 18k gold and titanium. Here in white gold, the "bird" is made from the shape of the gold and loads of specially shaped amethyst with diamonds and sapphires. There is also a pink version in 18k pink gold with diamonds and pink toned stones. Looking like an owl (clearly) the watch is another beautiful piece of animal style jewelry - always a hot item, items like this make it easy for both women and men to appreciate high-end creative jewelry pieces. The watches will be made to order and the price will start at $195,000 - with primary availability at Boucheron boutiques.

Read more about the MB&F JwlryMachine here, and more about its base model, the MB&F HM3 here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: boucheron, hm3, jwlrymachine, MBF, owl, watch

Luxury Watch & Cars: Wearing An MB&F HM3 In Monterey At the Car Shows

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Car crazed fans of all types and budgets flock to Monterey, CA each summer to experience the Concours de Elegance, Quail Lodge car show, races at Laguna Seca, and a number of other events and auctions that all celebrate the appreciation of fine cars. The Concours de Elegance itself is all about, well.... elegance. A highly subjective concept that a panel of trusted judges are called to determine. I wonder why then they seem to choose the same 1930's era French cars as "Best of Show" each year. Though you'll find cars new and old - specially some of the most expensive and exotic motorcars in the world all in one weekend.

So I travel to Monterey this year with one of the world's most exotic watches - priced as much as many brand new luxury cars. Though not quite up to the cost of a rare vintage European sports car at auction around town that weekend, the watch should be an impressive sighting for those "in the know." With millions of dollars exchanged each day of the event in car auction sales, the demographic of people who attend the events is comprised of the wealthier elite. These people are often watch lovers as well. So in cooperation with MB&F, I see how their Horological Machine Number 3 (HM3) "Sidewinder" watch (which I wrote in more detail about here) adds to my, and the experience of others during the show.

At Pebble Beach, the attention you get is often linked to what you are doing, and who you are with. Myself, toting a backpack and camera was likely taken as a photographically inclined car fan (which I am), or a member of the media (which I also am). Thus, people didn't look carefully at my wrist expecting to see something special. Among the ranks of collectors with their rare cars, it felt good having a rare watch - a bit like I was part of the "in crowd." Perhaps this crowd is something you can buy in to, but your status there is all about what you bring to the party - and I had something interesting. An avant garde Italian sports car from the 70's equivalent in watch form.

Tags: 2010, beach, car, hm3, mbf, monterey, pebble, quail, show, watch

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MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt Watch Coming Soon

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

July 7th will be the date when popular independent watch maker MB&F will release their fourth major timepiece creation, the Horological Machine Number 4, also known as the Thunderbolt. The watch is thematically inspired by the classic military plane, the A-10 "Warthog." When the final images are released, you'll be able to see the collection. While I can't show you final images of the watch now, I do have a special teaser shot for you, as well as exclusive images of the HM4 engine movement that I was able to take. The HM4 is a dream watch fro Max Busser, the founder of MB&F. The concept is beautiful, and for him, the design represents exactly what the brand is attempting to portray. The watch will have two crowns, one for winding the watch and the other for adjusting the time. I really can't say much more than that. The movement is manually wound, and almost every part of the watch and movement were custom made. This will be a seriously beloved piece for MB&F devotees, as well as new fans to the brand. Just a few weeks until all of the MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt watch is officially released.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: MB&F HM4 movement

Tags: 4, HM4, horological machine, mbf, thunderbolt, watch

MB&F HM2-SV Watch Revealed

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Just recently I introduced a teaser shot of the upcoming Sapphire Vision version of the MB&F HM2 watch, known as the HM2-SV. THe unique aspect of the watch is the large 3.6mm thick sapphire crystal that serves as the front plate of the watch in lieu of metal. The result is an ability to see the MB&F automatic movement that powers the double faced timepiece. Here now are full images of the watch showing the incredibly complex large sapphire crystal plate over the watch in its full glory. Just as expected you have a very clear view into much of the movement. I believe that the blue "vein" through the watch is the water-resisting sealant ring (the gasket).

The left dial of the watch displays the date and a moon phase indicator, while the right dial has jumping hours and a retrograde minute scale. There will only be 25 of this watch made. While this limited edition volume isn't unheard of, it is relatively low given how popular MB&F watches are in high-end watch lover circles. The issue is really the sapphire crystal. There are just so hard to make. Three out of four crystals break during the process of making them that takes 55 hours for the crystal alone (to cut). The hardest part is drilling the holes for the screws. The back plate of the watch is in titanium, while the automatic rotor is 22k gold in its iconic battle ax shape. Pretty awesome watch from the world of avant garde high horology.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: MB&F HM2-SV watch

Tags: 2, HM2-SV, Horological Machine, HorologicalMachine, MBF, Sapphire Vision, SapphireVision, watch

MB&F Horological Machine HM2-SV Watch Teaser

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

In addition to releasing new models MB&F continues to refine existing models with limited editions that are further alternative "director's cuts" of popular watches. Here is a teaser of the soon to be released HM2-SV. Based on the popular Horological Machine 2 (MB&F's second watch), the SV offers a new view - literally. SV stands for "sapphire vision." Look at the image carefully and you'll see that the entire frontal plate of the watch is made out of a large transparent sapphire crystal. Forget that this is extremely expensive, it is also very cool. The idea is likely to offer a new view into the unique automatic movement that powers the double faces of the watch. You can see that the sapphire plate is further enhanced by two large sapphire domes that will serve as dials for the watch. It will be very interesting to see what MB&F has in store for us when the HM2-SV watch will be officially announced on Jan. 12. The watch will be limited to just 25 pieces worldwide.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: HM2, HM2-SV, MBF, sapphire vision, SapphireVision, watch

MB&F HM2.2 Watch Designed By Alain Silberstein

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

MB&F HM2.2 Black Box Alain Silberstein watch

One of my favorite watch designers, Alain Silberstein has paired up with one of my favorite independent watch makers MB&F to create this limited edition of 8 pieces Horological Machine 2.2 (HM2.2) "Black Box" watch. It uses the existing HM2 watch and adds Alain Silberstein's special character. The telltale signs of his involvement are the three multicolor shapes on right-hand dial, the shapes of the hands and indicators, and the character rick face of the moon phase. You also have both MB&F (Max Busser & Friends) and Alain Silberstein's signature or logo on the rear of the watch.

This HM2.2 Black Box version of the HM2 watch is done in black PVD coated titanium and silicium. The combination of design cues makes the watch look like a nice little Bauhaus inspired instrument. If you've worn one of these watches you know how large it is - but cool looking. 59mm wide and 38mm tall. Relatively thin for a watch like this at 13mm thick. Movement is an automatic (with a blue 22k gold version of the signature battle ax rotor) and has two distinct faces. On the left is a small moonphase indicator and retrograde date. On the right is the time via retrograde minutes an jumping hour. I actually feel like this HM2.2 version of the watch is more legible than the original, and certainly presents a unique presentation on the already unique watch. Really nice, and just for a few people who can get one of the eight MB&F "Black Boxes" out there.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: alain silberstein, AlainSilberstein, hm2.2, horological machine, HorologicalMachine, limited edition, LimitedEdition, mbf, watch

MB&F Horological Machine No. 2 Ceramic Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Max Busser of MB&F (that "MB") knows what it takes to keep the novelty segment of the luxury watch market interested. MB&F essentially has only three different watches, yet the brand has reached an almost legendary status given the anticipation around each newly released version of his horological machines. While MB&F has already released their third watch, this is a modified version of their second major release, the Horological Machine N0. 2.

The difference here is the use of ceramic materials to make up the front plate of the watch case. Two metals are offered in a limited edition of 99 models total. 33 in rose gold with black matte finished ceramic and titanium, while 66 models will be offered with an all titanium and ceramic case. However, the MB&F signature rotor is rose gold on both models, and visible through the sapphire caseback window.

Gallery: MB&F Horological Machine No2 Ceramic