Maximilian Büsser, well Max to most of us is no stranger to those who appreciate and understand the unconventional world of watches, clocks and horological machines. Needless to say, originality seems to be quite a rare notion these days. However, Max Büsser and his friends never cease to intrigue me with their unique and innovative machines, be it the turtle, his extended robotic family, the spaceships and of course the visionary and futuristic horological machines and mechanical creations. Max’s creativity knows no bounds.
From the HM3 Frog to the HM9 Flow, this Swiss-Indian creative genius has built a brand that has evolved into a wildly successful and extremely creative space.
When I think MB&F, my fondest work of art is the HM3. Yup I’m talking about that gorgeous red gold three-dimensional horological engine designed in collaboration with master watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. But MB&F also has a collection with a regular ‘conventional’ round dial that most people find more wearable, so to say. Yes, I’m talking about the Legacy Machines.
Two years ago MB&F introduced the first LM Split Escapement editions, in four different versions all in 18K white gold cases, with those striking “frosted” dial plates in blue, ruthenium, rose gold or yellow gold. This new titanium edition of the Legacy Machine Split Escapement gets a royal twist with a sun-ray, green CVD dial.
Just below the highest point of the domed dial crystal, the balance of LM SE beats at a sedate, traditional 2.5Hz / 18,000bph. What is rather less traditional is its construction. Unlike most of the other suspended balances in the Legacy Machine collection — indeed, unlike any other balance out – side of MB&F — the balance of LM Split Escapement seems to oscillate on its own, without any visible intake of energy. The essential remaining parts of the escapement, which provide the driving impulse – anchor and escape wheel – are concealed on the opposite side of the movement, almost 12 mm below; hence the name ‘Split Escapement’.
Under the balance, the triple-dial design of LM SE gives the time at 12 o’clock, the power reserve indication at 4 o’clock and the date at 8 o’clock. The date can be quickly and easily adjusted thanks to a push-button on the side of the case, next to the date dial.
Other design features are natural evolutions of those found in previous Legacy Machines, such as the organically arched balance bridge found in the LM Perpetual. The white gold launch editions of LM SE feature the micro-textured “frosted” finish that is so closely associated with antique pocket watches of the 18th and 19th century; this traditional technique was presented by MB&F for the first time in the LM 101 ‘Frost’ editions. Antique watches featuring a frosted finish used acid baths to achieve this effect, but modern methods of replicating a frosted finish involves manually burnishing a metal surface with a wire brush. LM Split Escapement is a celebration of this technique, which is executed completely by hand for all 72 pieces of the launch editions.
Although personally, I am still an ardent fan of the HM collection (the horological machines), I have to say that the legacy machines do seem to add a contemporary twist to the MB&F portfolio.
So there you have it, the Legacy Machine Split Escapement Titanium Green, a lightweight 44m horological wonder, limited to 33 pieces, retailing at CHF 64,000 + VAT.