MB&F LM101 Purple White Gold, 2022

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Maximillian Büsser and Friends, or as we more familiarly know it, MB&F, is one of the most exciting and avant-garde independent watch brands on the scene today. Known famously for its ethos of collaborating and acknowledging other master watchmakers in the industry, it is helmed by Max Büsser who together have created some of the most radical and out-there watch designs. The brand is divided into two distinct segments: the HM series, which stands for Horological Machine, and features their most unconventional and audacious timepieces, and the LM series, which stands for Legacy Machine, representing watches that embody the style of a century ago. This structure of the brand is remarkable as it signifies a deep respect for the past, drawing inspiration from it, while simultaneously forging ahead with futuristic and innovative designs. It's a beautiful balance between honouring tradition and creating original, forward-looking horological machines. The LM101, as denoted, is part of the Legacy Machine series and is the most wearable MB&F by a long margin. First introduced back in 2014, it took the watch world by storm with its unconventional expression of how a watch movement could be constructed. Sized at 40mm, it is sized more conservatively than the other 44mm LM’s and for me, sits the best on the wrist. While the LM101 is considered the entry-level MB&F, it is my favourite because of its balance between being simple and looking crazy at the same time. This specific model of the LM101 is one of the later versions from MB&F, featuring a case crafted from 18-carat white gold and a purple baseplate. In the ‘typical’ MB&F fashion, what sets this design apart from other independents is the distinctive signature that made the brand renowned — the large 14mm floating balance positioned on the front of the watch. With a V-shaped 3D bridge suspending the balance above the dial, this watch is far from being "classical" and I assure you, on the wrist, you’ll find yourself captivated by it constantly. Additionally, a 45-hour power reserve and time indication sub-dial with lacquered finish float above the sunburst dial, adding the final touch to this three-dimensional masterpiece. When you turn the watch over, you'll notice that MB&F didn't only focus on the front side. The entire movement is impeccably finished, demonstrating their commitment to perfection. What I particularly appreciated about the movement is its visual proximity to the surface of the sapphire caseback, which enhances the overall viewing experience and makes it even more captivating to admire. The overall aesthetic design of the movement is beautiful, with huge spaces between the bridges and large blued screws contrasting with the Geneva-striped bridges. Interestingly, the LM101 movement is the first entirely developed and assembled in-house movement from the brand, with help of course from a long-time friend of MB&F, Kari Voutilainen.