Like all the timepieces by MB&F, the HM11 Architect is an horological machine, not just a watch. It could be said that an MB&F Machine is not worn; it is lived. With Max Busser’s latest creation, his luxury horology brand further blurs the line between watchmaking and architecture.

MB&F HM11 ARCHITECT Watch

A ROTATING CASE TO WIND THE MOVEMENT

Turn the house to access each room; the entire structure rotates on its foundations. The 90° angle of offset between each room means that you can position HM11 with one of its rooms directly facing you, or with one of the corridors of the house running towards you and rooms obliquely to each side.

This versatility in display orientation also has a practical use. HM11 Architect is an energy-efficient construction — each 45° clockwise turn is signalled by a tactile click under the fingers, and delivers 72 minutes of power directly to the barrel. After 10 complete rotations, HM11 is at its maximum autonomy of 96 hours.

A CENTRAL FLYING TOURBILLON

A central flying tourbillon forms the heart of the house, pushing skyward under a double-domed sapphire roof. Fittingly, for a mechanism that is spatially and functionally at the origin point of the watch, its quatrefoil-shaped upper bridge recalls the shape of clerestory windows in some of humanity’s greatest temples to its Creator, or perhaps the shape of a zygote undergoing cell division at the moment of conception. From this spinning core, four symmetrical volumes reach outwards, creating the four parabolic rooms of the house that is HM11 Architect.

A SEE-THROUGH SAPPHIRE CROWN

An unprecedented feature in watchmaking is the see-through crown, close to 10mm in diameter, that allows an unimpeded view directly into the movement. A crown of this size in sapphire crystal, whilst undeniable in its aesthetic impact, comes with specific technical challenges to be overcome. As the primary point of ingress to the movement, a watch crown must be equipped with gaskets that prevent water or dust particles from entering the watch and compromising its performance.

THE MACHINE

CASE
Two editions: In grade 5 titanium and blue dial plate limited to 25 pieces or grade 5 titanium and red gold dial plate limited to 25 pieces.

Dimensions: 42mm (diameter) x 23mm (height)
Number of components: 92

ENGINE
Three-dimensional horological engine featuring bevel gears, composed of a flying tourbillon, hours and minutes, a power reserve indicator and temperature measurement, developed in-house by MB&F.

Mechanical movement, manual winding (by turning the entire case clockwise)
Power reserve: 96 hours
Balance frequency: 18’000bph/2.5Hz
Number of movement components: 364 components
Number of jewels: 29 jewels

FUNCTIONS / INDICATIONS
Hour and minutes
Power reserve
Temperature (-20 to 60° Celsius, or 0 to 140° Fahrenheit)

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS
Sapphire crystals on top, back, and on each chamber-display treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces
Sapphire crown

For more information, visit MB&F

all info and images courtesy of MB&F