MB&F HMX – A 10th Anniversary Horological Machine
To celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2015 MB&F have released the HMX or Horological Machine 10 which is their least expensive wristwatch to date.
There is one basic fact about birthdays that is fairly safe to assume: The one celebrating usually gets the presents. However, for the most significant anniversary of its decade-long existence, MB&F turns that one basic assumption on its head. Rather than expecting to receive, the creative lab has conceived the MB&F HMX–“X” as in the Roman numeral for ten –as a thank you to the Friends who have supported the brand over the last 10 years.
Instead of developing an ultra-complicated, ultra-expensive anniversary piece – standard practice in the luxury watchmaking world – MB&F has cut sales margins without sacrificing quality, offering a true Horological Machine at an unprecedented price.
Paradoxically, creating such a Machine also made HMX one of the most difficult to develop as MB&F considered, tested and rejected a plethora of combinations of forms, finishes and details before being satisfied that everything was “just right”.
Gentlemen, start your engines!
HMX displays bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes. Apparently simple, but it is how and where the time is displayed that makes HMX so special. Rotating discs on top of the movement feature mirror image numerals. These are reflected 90° and magnified by two sapphire crystal optical prisms that “project” the time onto the front vertical display. Light streaming through the transparent engine cover both illuminates the top of HMX’s engine and backlights the time display for high legibility.
Also visible through the sapphire crystal engine cover aresupercar-inspired dual “rocker covers” on top of the movement, each featuring shiny chrome oil filler caps. These oil caps are not just pretty design elements, but are fully functional oil caps thatthe watchmaker unscrews to oil the jewelled bearings for the indication discs.
An automatic winding mechanical movement provides HMX with power, its “fuel” topped up by the 22K gold rotor visible through the display back.
The MB&F HMX is a limited edition of 4 x 20 pieces in grade 5 titanium and stainless steel, available in Lotus Black, British Racing Green, Ferrari Red and Bugatti Blue.
Priced at $30,000. You can find out more about the HMX at the MB&F site
MB&F HMX presentation video
MB&F HMX technical details
Limited edition of 4 x 20 pieces in grade 5 titanium and stainless steel
Engine:
Three-dimensional horological engine, composed of a jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F, powered by a Sellita gear train.
Mechanical movement, automatic winding
22K gold automatic winding rotor
Power reserve: 42 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800bph/4Hz.
Number of components: 223
Number of jewels: 29
Functions/indications:
Bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, displayed by dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.
Case:
Grade 5 titanium and stainless steel with detailing in Lotus black, British racing green, Bugatti blue or Ferrari red.
Dimensions: 46.8 x 44.3 x 20.7 mm
Number of components: 44
Water resistance: 30m / 90’ / 3atm
Sapphire crystals:
Sapphire crystals on top, front and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
Dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.
Strap & Buckle:
Partially perforated calfskinstrap with colour complementary to Engine, titanium tang buckle.
