Presenting the HM3 ReBel - D R O O L !

Thanks Max!

James Dean was a Hollywood Rebel Without a Cause; Billy Idol had a Rebel Yell; Star Wars had its Rebel Alliance; and now MB&F pokes the establishment firmly in its conservatively-focused eye with the HM3 ReBel.

ReBel: R for right (hand), B for Black (case). The black-coated ReBelis a distinctive, rock 'n roll mirror-image of the HM3 designed to be worn on the right wrist, as a few individualists out there want to do.

And like all true rebels, nothing on the HM3 ReBel is quite as it first appears, especially when you take a closer look behind its nonchalantly cool façade. Under the ReBel's open black leather jacket - or to be more precise, its black PVD-treated white gold case - charcoal-coloured movement plates and bridges form a darkened backdrop to the resplendent flash of the 22K gold rotor as it speeds by.

We think James Dean would have worn one; Billy Idol would have sang about it; and the Rebel Alliance would have fought for it.

HM3 ReBel is a limited edition of 18 pieces in black PVD-treated white gold, blackened movement and 22K gold rotor.

Presenting the HM3 ReBel - D R O O L !

MB&F HM2 Final Edition Watches Hands-On: Sapphire Visions

These "Final Edition" HM2 Red SV & Black SV watches put the Horological Machine number 2 proudly to rest. MB&F first experimented with the "Sapphire Vision" concept with the original HM2 SV watch that was included in this article here. Using a sapphire plate versus metal as the top of the watch caused a whirlwind of "I want that." MB&F freely admitted that the project probably cost them more than they anticipated given the cost of machining the sapphire plates, but it was worth it for the fans.

The original HM2 SV was limited to only 25 pieces. That is a really low amount given how popular the watch was - and it was popular for good reason. The Sapphire Vision offered not only unparalleled views of the movement, but also created a totally new looking surface for a watch that spoke all too well the language of love for watch nerds. So for the last pieces in the HM2 collection to ever be made, MB&F offers just a few more of these sexy Sapphire Visions for us to enjoy.

I first spoke about the MB&F HM2 Red SV & Black SV watches here. Visit that article for information on pricing, technical specs, etc... This will be about handling the actual watches, and what it means for the future of MB&F. What I will say right off the bat is that the watch are limited to just 18 pieces each.

The black or green colored gaskets really give these watches that extra bit of character that they need to be highly memorable. They are of course there for the functional purposes of water resistance and to keep dust out. For generations we have been interested in looking at watch movements to see how they work. I have a strong feeling that this early desire to peek under a watch's robes influenced watch makers to create such nicely decorated movements. It makes me wonder how some watch makers draw the line between "functional" and "aesthetic." Appreciation of timepieces inherently involves a love of mechanics and gadgetry. To know the items we appreciate are as complicated as our interests helps fuel our ongoing passions. MB&F's founder Max Busser and the team are as much gadgetaholics as they are watch makers. Timepieces such as the HM2 Sapphire Visions are perfect intersections of these two interests.

Read more here!

MB&F HM2 Final Edition Watches Hands-On: Sapphire Visions

MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt Watch

MB&F has just announced the Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt watch. The watch inspired by aviation, it is made of titanium and and crystal. Only 20 watches will be made this year and will be for $158,000! Watch a video of it after more.

 "The sleek aerodynamic form of the Thunderbolt’s titanium and sapphire envelope has its roots in Maximilian Büsser’s childhood passion for assembling model plane kits, though none looked remotely as futuristic as this. The striking transparent sapphire section of the case requires over 100 hours of machining and polishing to transform an opaque solid block of crystal into a complex, exquisitely curved panel allowing the light to come in and the beauty of Thunderbolt’s engine to stand out. Every component and form has a technical purpose; nothing is superfluous and every line and curve is in poetic harmony. Articulated lugs ensure supreme comfort. Highly legible time is a fringe benefit."

"That's DOPE"

MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt Watch

When creativity leaps out the box, must be a Frog -

Looking at this animal, you notice a lot of things.  First off the rare color, a beautiful clash of orange and green, the large, round eyes and streamline design of this creature.  You would never think to get inspiration to design a watch from it would you?  Well that is the difference between you and world famous watch designer Maximilian Busser, owner and chief creative office for MB&F watches.

You have seen my past reviews from Max's watch collection, but this one is something out of a sci-fy movie.

And here we are:  The MB&F Horological Machine No3 FROG ! (I know it is one hell of a long name… probably better as HM3 Frog)

As amazing as it could seem, I have always felt that our HM3 was a very elegant piece. So when the prototype came out two years ago, I immediately itched to create a really “whacky” version of it.

Two sketches later, the Frog was born… well in concept at least. The hour and minute gears as well as date system had to be entirely modified in the 304 part engine, the sapphire domes needed to be perfectly machined on both sides so as not deform the numbers and most difficult was to create the lightest aluminium domes possible – in this case we managed to hit 0,58g by machining them down to a thickness of 0,28mm.

The Frog is special, the Frog is rare… we will only craft 32 movements this year:  a limited edition of 12 pieces in black titanium (with green gold rotor) and 20 pieces of a non-limited titanium version (with blue gold rotor).

If you wish to get all images and information it can all be downloaded directly from: http://www.mbandf.com/download/press/hm3-frog/

The first pieces of the Frog will be delivered during this month of May.

Stunning.....

When creativity leaps out the box, must be a Frog -

*Sit and Spit* with Maximilian Busser of MB&F and his new Horological Machine No 2.2

A while back I featured a watch by the company MB&F. To this day, not quite sure how my article found its way to the desk of owner, founder Maximilian Busser, but considered fate, it did. Over the past mouth, Max and I have had several conversations about his artwork where its been, where its heading, and how his watches are worlds away from ordinary. Max has since then become a good friend of mine, and his latest creation, the MB&F HM2.2 dubbed "Black Box" is just another reason why I am proud to feature his companies work here at PBB.com.

PB - So, tell me about the new piece.

Max - I am happy to be presenting on the Net today the HM2.2 “Black Box”, an HM2 redesigned by my old friend, the French designer Alain Silberstein. For the last 19 years, I have been visiting his booth at the Basel Fair expecting to be amazed, and he has never failed me ! In fact my first encounter with an Alain Silberstein watch dates back to my student years over 20 years ago: I was driving down a German Autobahn and overtook a BMW Z1 with it’s doors down and the driver wearing first world war pilot jacket, goggles and leather helmet – and a Silberstein Krono on his wrist. A sight I have never been able to forget…

So, a little more than a year back, I asked Alain if he would honour me with a redesign of our HM2. Well, he not only readily accepted, but floored me again ! Where I was expecting his signature colours, he came up with the “Black Box”. HM2.2 is in fact where both our universes join – It’s a little unnerving and it is beautiful (at least in my eyes !).

PB - There you have it! Check below for detailed images of his latest creation.

So here is the “beast” – entirely crafted out of Titanium, and there will be only 8 pieces made in total. It really is only for the pleasure of working together, and of course to pay homage to 23 years of Alain’s truly amazing creativity.

Oh, and to keep spirits high, this beauty comes in a the low range of $66,000 Usd. + Tax.

The Engine - Amazing!

Want more information on how to get one? Head over to MB&F.com for details.

"That's DOPE"

*Sit and Spit* with Maximilian Busser of MB&F and his new Horological Machine No 2.2