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MB&F LMX Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Legacy Machine

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This year MB&F celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Legacy Machine with the release of LMX, an edition that revisits and reimagines the very first LM1.

The MB&F Legacy Machine LMX in Titanium and Red Gold. Credit: MB&F
The MB&F Legacy Machine LMX in Titanium and Red Gold. Credit: MB&F

When MB&F first launched the new Legacy Machine collection back in 2011, no-one was more surprised than the watch industry. At the time, the avant-garde Swiss watchmaking company was known for “outlandish” 3D watch shapes, and a traditional round watch from the brand could seriously run the risk of being considered mildly dull.

MB&F LMX celebrates 10 years of the Legacy Machine. Credit: MB&F
MB&F LMX celebrates 10 years of the Legacy Machine. Credit: MB&F

But after four unconventional Horological Machines, MB&F was looking for a new challenge and found it in the question, “What would MB&F have created a century ago, during the golden age of watchmaking?”

The aim was to create a modern-day timepiece that paid tribute to watchmaking excellence of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the first Legacy Machine LM1 was the resulting timepiece.

Created with the classic round watch case. Credit: MB&F
Created with the classic round watch case. Credit: MB&F

Utilizing a classic round watch in appearance, the LM1 featured two white lacquer dials to display the hours and minutes, yet still defied traditional watchmaking concepts by floating the balance wheel high above the watch face rather than keeping it safely protected in a rear-mounted location.

This unique “flying” balance wheel would come to distinguish the Legacy Machine collection from its Horological Machine counterparts and inspire a range of intricately unique pieces, as described by Maximilian Büsser in the video below.

Now ten years later, in the form of the new LMX (X representing 10 in roman numerals), the Legacy Machine LMX has time-traveled back to the very first Legacy Machine model and returned with the two white lacquer dials to display twin timezones, although this time instead of lying flat on the face they’ve also been elevated to new heights – on a 50-degree angle to be specific.

Twin timezone white lacquer dials at 50 degree angles. Credit: MB&F
Twin timezone white lacquer dials at 50 degree angles. Credit: MB&F

While it may appear simple enough at first glance, the very act of tilting the dials required a great deal of ingenuity to produce the transfer of energy from horizontal to vertical planes and is achieved through the engineering of conical gears.

Taking inspiration from later Legacy Machine models like the LM Perpetual Calendar and LM Thunderdome that brought the mechanics to the forefront in an even greater way, the LMX also follows suit and reveals the functional battle-ax-shaped escapement bridge and gear-train components.

The new 3D power-reserve countdown display can rotate depending on the wearer's choice. Credit: MB&F
The new 3D power-reserve countdown display can rotate depending on the wearer’s choice. Credit: MB&F

Another new feature on the Legacy Machine LMX is an entirely novel three-dimensional countdown display (positioned at what would be 12 o’clock on a traditional watch face) that indicates the seven day/168-hour power reserve in either days-of-week on one side of the 3D display or a 1-7 days scale countdown on the other side.

MB&F LMX in Titanium with green CVD treatment on the plates and bridges. Credit: MB&F
MB&F LMX in Titanium with green CVD treatment on the plates and bridges. Credit: MB&F

Thanks to clever engineering, after the watch has been fully wound, the 3D power-reserve display can be rotated so that the wearer can choose which side is visible from their perspective when wearing the watch (the side with the two white lacquer dials facing you).

MB&F LMX Titanium Movement

Interestingly the MB&F LMX was never intended to be an anniversary piece although as fate would have it, Maximillian Büsser’s decision to revisit the first LM1 and ongoing the three-year development time coincided with the 10th anniversary to create the “little city under a sapphire dome” as Büsser’s describes the new timepiece.

MB&F LMX Red Gold Watch Side Profile

The new MB&F Legacy Machine LMX is available from the M.A.D gallery as 18 pieces in Red Gold priced at USD$128,000 or 33 pieces in Titanium and priced at USD$112,000.

MB&F Legacy Machine LMX Details

Engine
  • LM Three-dimensional movement developed exclusively for MB&F
  • Manual winding with three mainspring barrels
  • Power reserve: 7 days (168 hours)
  • Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
  • Number of components: 367
  • Number of jewels: 41
Functions / Indications
  • Hours and minutes: completely independent dual time zones displayed on two dials
  • 3D Hemispherical power reserve with choice of weekday or 7-day indication display
Case
  • Material: 5N+ 18k red gold or Grade 5 titanium
  • High domed sapphire crystal on top and sapphire crystal on the back
  • Dimensions: 44 mm x 21.4 mm
  • Number of components: 27
Strap & Buckle
  • Black leather hand-stitched alligator strap with 5N+ red gold folding buckle matching the case or Grey leather hand-stitched alligator strap with Grade 5 Titanium folding buckle
Price
  • MB&F Legacy Machine LMX Red Gold Edition Price: USD $128,000 (limited to 18 pieces)
  • MB&F Legacy Machine LMX Grade 5 Titanium Price: USD$112,000 (limited to 33 pieces)
MB&F LMX Red Gold Titanium Collection

Lifestyle

Breitling Releases Limited Edition Premier Chronograph in Burgundy

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Breitling releases Premier B09 Chronograph in a new burgundy color, limited to 250 pieces.
Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Side
The new Breitling Premier Chronograph in burgundy. Credit: Breitling

Breitling’s latest addition to the Premier Collection has flown relatively under the radar and is a limited edition B09 Chronograph in burgundy limited to 250 pieces.

First introduced in 1943 by Willy Breitling, the “everyday elegant” design of the Premier collection pays homage to three generations of inventors – Léon, Gaston & Willy Breitling – and embodies Breitling’s legacy of inventing the modern Chronograph.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Strap
Steel 40mm case with brown alligator strap. Credit: Breitling

Encased in a 40mm steel case, the new Premier B09 Chronograph features a burgundy colored sunburst dial with Arabic numerals and complementary brown chronograph subregisters in line with the heritage feel of the Premier collection.

Additional rectangular chronograph pushers and design details such as grooves on the case sides, open sapphire case backs and vintage-inspired hands complete the elegant Premier aesthetic.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Front
The new release will be limited to 250 pieces. Credit: Breitling

Powered by Breitling’s in-house B09 movement offering a power reserve of 70 hours, the new Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph Burgundy comes on a brown alligator strap and is limited to 250 pieces priced at US$8,400 each.

Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40 Soldier Burgundy Caseback
Caseback with limited edition engraving. Credit: Breitling
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Lifestyle

IWC Unveils New Portofino 39 Chronograph Trio

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The IWC Shaffhausen Portofino family has expanded with the addition of the new 39 Chronograph edition in three new colors.

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Watch Trio
The new IWC Portofino 39 Chronograph watch trio. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen

For over 30 years, IWC’s classic Portofino Collection has represented the laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its classic round case and uncluttered dial of the “pocket-watch-style wristwatch.”

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph White Detail
Silvered dial with gold hands and markers. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen

Now IWC Shaffhausen has released the Portofino as a 39mm chronograph edition with three new colors: a silver-plated dial with gold hands and markers on a black alligator strap, a green dial with a green alligator strap and a black dial, and gold hands/markers on a brown alligator strap.

Enclosed in a polished stainless steel 39mm case, the Portofino 39 features an elegantly clean dial with delicate leaf-shaped hands and two smaller chronograph sub-dials displaying a 30 minute counter and a seconds subdial.

Along with the chronograph stopwatch functions, the Portofino 39s hacking seconds function also gives the wearer the ability to stop the second’s hand when the crown is pulled out to help synchronize time with a second watch.

Powering the Portofino 39 Chronograph is IWC’s 79350 self-winding movement (based on the modified Valjoux 7750) which offers a 44-hour power reserve.

The all-new IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Collection is currently available online with prices starting at $5,900.

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Black Detail
Black dial with gold hands and markers. Credit: IWC Shaffhausen
IWC Schaffhausen Portofino 39 Chronograph Brown Strap
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Lifestyle

Hublot Makes a Splash With New Big Bang Unico Summer

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Hublot is making a splash with the new turquoise New Big Bang Unico Summer edition available in select Mediterranean retail stores this Summer.
Hublot Big Bang Summer 441 UB 5120 Watch Life
The new Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer edition limited to 200 pieces. Credit: Hublot

Hublot is celebrating the warmer weather with the creation of a new turquoise-colored unisex Big Bang Unico Summer edition.

Made with a 42mm aluminum case, the lightweight Big Bang Summer uses anodized satin-finished and polished aluminum to create a modern colored material that guarantees longevity and protects it from scratches.

The lagoon colored Big Bang Unico Summer on the rubber strap. Credit: Hublot
The lagoon colored Big Bang Unico Summer on the rubber strap. Credit: Hublot

Powered by the UNICO caliber HUB1280 offering a 72-hour power reserve, the new Big Bang Unico Summer features an oscillating seconds clutch, a chronograph friction system with ball-bearing adjustment, and a column wheel that is visible through the dial.

Equipped with Hublot’s patented interchangeable “One Click” attachment system, the Big Bang Unico Summer comes with two turquoise-colored straps: a Velcro strap with matching stitching and matching sports buckle and a natural rubber strap with deployant clasp made with turquoise anodized aluminum with an engraved logo.

Anodized satin-polished case and buckle are hard-wearing and scratch resistant. Credit: Hublot
Anodized satin-polished case and buckle are hard-wearing and scratch resistant. Credit: Hublot

Sharing on the inspiration for the new Big Bang Unico Summer, Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe says, “What I love most when traveling is the amazement of the return, wrote Stendhal. This enchantment of the journey that we bring back with us transforms us a little, for the better… And even if daily life has not really changed on our return, our eyes being open to other horizons is enough to lend it new colour.”

“Right from its beginnings, Hublot has adopted a future-focused approach to watchmaking, sparking trends through the many patents it has filed for its innovations. The Big Bang Unico Summer embodies the beauty of our summer experiences. We wanted to give you another shade for this year, to let you relive these magic moments any time you want.”

Priced at US$20,900, the new unisex Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer is limited to 200 pieces and will be available online at hublot.com and in the Mediterranean boutiques in Capri, Forte dei Marmi, Mykonos, Ibiza, Bodrum, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco.

Hublot Big Bang Summer 441 UB 5120 Front
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