This special edition MB&F Legacy Machine Split Escapement EVO model was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates.
UAE was formed on 02 December 1971. In December 2021, the region’s leading luxury watch and jewellery retailer, Ahmed Seddiqi& Sons marked the ‘Year of the 50th’ by announcing over 35 limited-edition timepieces. For this project, MB&F created LM Split Escapement EVO – UAE Golden Jubilee Limited Edition of 10 pieces.
The LM Split Escapement watch was created in collaboration with Irish master watchmaker Stephen McDonnell in 2017. This timepiece stands out with the world’s longest balance staff that would traverse the whole movement. This innovative design leaves the large balance wheel on the front of the watch and concealing the remaining parts of the escapement – anchor and escape wheel – on the opposite side of the movement.
The limited edition MB&F LM SE EVO UAE Golden Jubilee watch comes with some design enhancements. Firstly, the whole mechanism has been rotated clockwise by 30 degrees, with the crown at 4:30 instead of 2 o’clock. This completely changes the symmetry of the watch, giving it a totally new character.
Second, this special edition receives the new EVO case, offering enhanced comfort and robustness – and which until now has only ever been used in the LM Perpetual EVO series.
The EVO case design features a no-bezel construction, with the domed sapphire crystal fused directly to the titanium case, integrated lugs and strap. It has a water-resistance of 80 metres thanks to a screw-down crown. The movement is suspended on the innovative “FlexRing” system, a specially developed monobloc shock-absorbing mechanism that works against both vertical and horizontal shocks.
Finally, for the very first time in MB&F history, the dial plate comes in a rich salmon colour, while two of the dark grey sub-dials – for the date and power reserve indicator – have been opened up. Movement-side, the special darkened treatment creates heightened contrast between the wheels, the rhodium-plated barrels and the rose gold details.
The manual-winding, 298-component movement uses the same base as the LM Perpetual with double barrels, a 72-hour power reserve, and a date-changing security system that prevents the user from inadvertently damaging the movement when adjusting the date.
Technical details
Model: LM SE EVO UAE Golden Jubilee Limited Edition
Edition
Limited edition of 10 pieces in grade 5 titanium with salmon baseplate and dark grey dials
Engine
Movement developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell
Split escapement with the balance wheel suspended above the dial and the anchor under the movement
Manual winding with double mainspring barrels
Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws visible on top of the movement
Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; bevelled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings
FlexRing: an annular dampener fitted between case and movement, providing shock protection along the vertical and lateral axes.
Galvanic dark grey dials with both SLN numerals and hands
Power reserve: 72 hours
Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
Number of components: 298
Number of jewels: 35
Functions & indications
Hours, minutes, date and power-reserve indicators
Push-button next to the date dial for quick adjustment of the date
Case
Material: grade 5 titanium
Dimensions: 44mm x 17.5mm
Number of components: 52
Screw down crown
Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces
Water resistance: 80m / 270′ / 8ATM
Strap
Rubber strap with titanium folding buckle