THE NEW COLLECTION COMES IN THREE COLOR ARRANGEMENTS, EACH CERTAIN TO STAND OUT FOR THE SUMMER.
The Legacy Machine 101 series (LM101) was first released by MB&F in 2014. As its name “101” suggests, this timepiece focuses on the essentials of a mechanical watch; enclosed within a 40mm diameter case, and it is one of the most compact machines ever created by MB&F. It was then declined in various materials such as platinum, more recently in palladium – a rare metal -, as well as in grained editions. When it was launched, the LM101 was also the very first movement developed entirely in-house by MB&F.
In 2021, the LM101 series evolves with new technically and aesthetically perfected features, which differ from previous editions by introducing colored dials and including a steel version. Focusing even more on the essentials, the ‘Legacy Machine’ bezel and engraving disappear to make room entirely for the time and power reserve, indicated on slightly larger sub-dials; but the real star is the flying balance typical of the Legacy Machines, inheriting in the process of a double hairspring.
The Legacy Machine 101 embodies and underlines, quintessentially, what is essential in a mechanical watch: the balance, which determines the precision of the regulation, the energy reserve available until the next winding and, of course, the passing time. Visually, the LM101 is dominated by a large suspended balance. Its slow oscillations encourage the eye to come closer. The two pure white dials float a little above the sun-rayed movement plate. At the top right, superb blued hands contrast with the immaculate background to indicate the hours and minutes in a very legible manner. Below, a similar but smaller dial displays the 45-hour power reserve. Two limited editions ‘Frost’ add even more contrast between these elements and the glittering back of the hand-grained mainplate.
As if by magic, the sapphire crystal that protects the dial is almost invisible. One might think that one can reach and touch the imposing pendulum with hypnotic power, suspended from two arches finely carved from a massive block of metal. The mirror effect obtained on the surface requires many hours of hand polishing. On the back of the Legacy Machine 101, the glass is curved to reduce the thickness of the caseband and, visually, the height of the watch. It reveals a remarkably hand-finished movement, with bridges and plates with sensual curves. The style, borrowed from the fine pocket watches of the past, is a testament to the importance placed on historical legitimacy.
If fidelity to the past is expressed through the refinement of the undulating Côtes de Genève, polished angles, gold chatons and blued screws, the movement of the LM101 is not limited to this. It is a movement heralding a new era, the first to be entirely designed and developed by MB&F. While the movement was entirely developed in-house, it was the famous master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen who took responsibility for ensuring the historic correctness of the bridge design and the movement’s refined finishes.
The LM101 was first launched in rose gold as well as 18k white gold, then in two limited editions ‘Frost’ with grained finish (18 and 33 pieces), followed by a limited edition of 33 pieces in 950 platinum and 18 pieces in palladium. The new 2021 versions are available in 18k white gold with a purple dial, in 18k rose gold 5N + with a royal blue dial, and in steel with a light blue dial.
MB&F
Founded in 2005 by the Swiss Maximilian Büsser, MB&F – Maximilian Büsser & Friends – was the very first watchmaking conceptual laboratory dedicated to the design and manufacture of small series of avant-garde watches. The letter F stands for Friends, so it was natural for MB&F to develop collaborations with renowned artists, watchmakers, designers and manufacturers, making the brand a unique artistic and collaborative work. In order to present his creations, Maximilian Büsser had the idea of displaying them in an art gallery alongside various forms of mechanical art created by other artists, rather than in a traditional boutique. This is how the MB&F M.A.D.Gallery was born in Geneva, followed by other galleries in Taipei, Dubai and Hong Kong.
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