horological machine

MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt Watch Coming Soon

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 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