MB&F Celebrates 15th Anniversary With New Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO

The new MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO is a sporty take on the classic Legacy Machine first introduced five years ago and the first 270ft water-resistant version. 

It’s been five years since MB&F first debuted the iconic Legacy Machine timepiece, and while it has had several iterations over its lifetime, the EVO is an entirely new sporty edition and boasts several new “firsts” for the Legacy Machine Perpetual model. 

Featuring the bright new color option “atomic orange” and an ergonomic silicone rubber strap for the first time on an MB&F watch creation, the reimagined the Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO is the kind of watch you could imagine a horology loving, globe-trotting adventurer casually wearing as a “daily.” 

Powered by the perpetual calendar engine developed by Stephen McDonnell for MB&F, the robust Legacy Machine Perpetual calendar essentially turns the traditional perpetual calendar system on its head by using a “mechanical processor” instead of the traditional grand levier (big lever) system design. 

The mechanical processor consists of a series of superimposed disks that utilizes a default 28-day month (because logically all months have at least 28 days) and adds extra days as required. This means that each month always has the exact number of days required; and removes the possibility of the date jumping incorrectly. Also, while the leap year can only be set on traditional perpetual calendars by scrolling through up to 47 months, the Legacy Machine Perpetual has a dedicated quickset pusher to adjust the year.

The EVO sees a new addition to the perpetual calendar in the form of a new specially developed monobloc shock-absorbing system (known as the “FlexRing”). Designed as an annular dampener fitted between the case and movement, the FlexRing helps provide shock protection along the vertical and lateral axes and aids the EVO’s ability to undergo rigorous movement and still keep perfect time.

In another first for the LM Perpetual model, the EVO has been created with a 44mm case in zirconium. Lighter than steel, more durable than titanium, and offering hypoallergenic properties, the use of zirconium for a case is a feat in itself considering its propensity to spontaneously ignite in powdered form, making it highly dangerous when being machined and rarely used in watchmaking.

The new EVO also differs from LM designs of the past with a new no-bezel case that fuses the domed sapphire crystal directly to the case, offering a seamless and uncluttered view of the moving watch face of the Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO.

It is also the first MB&F design to be rated water-resistance up to 270ft. By implementing a screw-down crown, the winding system disengages the crown from the winding mechanism when it’s pushed in and tightened, eliminating the chance of manually over-winding the mainspring barrel. 

Available in three different PVD/CVD dial-plate color options – atomic orange, black and blue – the MB&F Legacy Machine EVO is a very limited series with only 15 of each color created to celebrate MB&F’s 15th anniversary. 

The Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO is priced at CHF 152,000 and available from MB&F direct.

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO Details

Variants

• Zirconium case with atomic orange CVD dial plate
• Zirconium case with blue CVD dial plate
• Zirconium case with black PVD dial plate

Engine

• LM Perpetual Calendar movement developed for MB&F by Stephan McDonnell
• Power reserve: 72 hours
• Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
• Number of components: 581
• Number of jewels: 41

Functions / Indications

• Hours, minutes, day, date, month, retrograde leap year and power-reserve indicators

Case

• Material: Zirconium
• Dimensions: 44 mm x 17.5 mm
• Number of components: 70
• Water resistance: 270ft / 80m / 8 ATM

Strap & Buckle

• Rubber strap with titanium folding buckle

Price

• MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO Price: CHF 152,000 + VAT / USD$167,000 + tax / EUR 142,000 + tax