Innovative luxury watch maker MB&F(Maximilian Büsser & Friends) presents the “Final Editions” of Horological Machine N°1.
In 2007, MB&F started crafting the first Horological Machine N°1 (HM1): a groundbreaking wristwatch that both launched MB&F and introduced the world to the then radical concept of three-dimensional kinetic sculpture as timekeeping machines. To pay homage to the end of this pivotal model, MB&F has crafted two very striking final variations, each in a very limited series of only ten pieces: HM1-Black and HM1-RS.
HM1-Black limited edition 10 pieces: HM1-Black offers deep contrasts with its white gold case shrouded by a veil of coal-black PVD. The subdued dark, though eye-catching in itself, offers the perfect foil for the burst of light that radiates from the dial. The blackened tourbillon cage encourages the eye to glide past and into the 365 hand-finished parts of its movement, while the bright blue of both the hands and the solid gold rotor provide brilliant splashes of colour.
HM1-RS limited edition 10 pieces: Features a red gold case that highlights the architecturally inspired and artistically sculptured three-dimensional case, and an intriguing transparent dial allows visual access to the top of the meticulously finished movement. The dial is ‘intriguing’ because, depending on the angle of view, it can change from being completely transparent to acting as a highly reflective now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t mirror.
Horological Machine No1 (HM1)
Horological Machine No1 (HM1) is an extremely sophisticated timepiece on many levels: visually, technically and emotionally. It is as much, if not more, art and sculpture as micro engineering. By designing and constructing its first three-dimensional machine MB&F broke free of the constraints imposed by traditional horology. HM1 is totally original, featuring hours and minutes on separate dials, raised central one-minute tourbillon, seven-day power reserve, four mainspring barrels and both automatic and manual winding. It has a radical new design and construction plus a brand new movement with 376 parts and 81 functional jewels.
The most visual technical element of the movement is the rotating one-minute tourbillon on top of the dial – Horological Machines are three-dimensional structures, therefore the tourbillon has been elevated to create its own centre stage. But it was the four massive mainspring barrels that dominated HM1’s design and construction. Using the mainspring barrels in parallel – two on each side of the movement – enabled MB&F to reduce the torque of each mainspring, thus improving isochronism, decreasing wear and increasing longevity… all while maintaining an enormous seven days’ reserve of power. The regulating system is actually driven from two sides – a world’s first in a production movement!
But the barrels are not the only mechanical system needing to communicate across a constricted divide: the hours on the left must synchronize with the minutes on the right, both for timekeeping and time-setting. This necessitated the development of an over-sized wheel centrally located under the dial. Extremely flat and mirror-polished, this wheel is cleverly supported by floating it between two layers of precision adjusted jewels.
Looking at the dial we see: hours indicated on the left; raised central one-minute tourbillon; minutes indicated on the right-hand dial; and the seven-day power reserve displayed on a higher stratum inside the minute dial. The twin upper-level sapphire bridges not only allow a clear and uncluttered view of all the indications, the four columns supporting them play a dual role in housing the ingenious movement-to-case fixing cones.
HM1’s unusual form dominates the senses and dictated the architecture of the movement.With its 48 discrete elements, the HM1 case features a modular construction enabling every part to be independently refurbished. This is a design looking completely at home in the fantasy worlds of both 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Horological Machine N°1 is a highly innovative timepiece.
Look deeply enough and you will discover that HM1 is more than a meticulously hand-crafted work of art, more than an intricate masterpiece of micro-engineering: it is a machine epitomizing the incredible passion and enthusiasm that its collective of Friends have dedicated to its creation.
