Legacy Machine 101 and Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon by MB&F and H. Moser & Cie.

With LM101 MB&F x H. Moser and the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F, Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie. and Maximilian Büsser of MB&F have created two watch models that have emerged through the long friendship of the two men.

Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F and LM101 MB&F x H. Moser

For the first time in its history, MB&F is contributing to a Performance Art endeavour flowing in both directions in an entirely reciprocal manner. The two Maisons are co-signing a pair of creations whose DNA blends the main characteristics of each.

The new partnership – origin of the project

H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F are both independent, human-scale Swiss companies. They are run by two passionate personalities, longstanding acquaintances who both appreciate and respect each other on both a personal and professional level. The brands have in fact been working together for more than ten years, with Precision Engineering AG – a sister company of H. Moser & Cie. – notably supplying MB&F’s balance springs. 

Maximilian Büsser (MB&F) and Edouard Meylan (H. Moser & Cie.)

Hence, MB&F asked Edouard Meylan to take part as a “friend” to help create a Performance Art Piece. Maximilian Büsser says: “When I called Edouard to tell him that I wanted to collaborate on a creation, I mentioned that I really liked the double balance-spring, the Moser fumé dials and the Concept watch series. Edouard immediately told me that he would let me borrow these features, but on condition that he could also reinterpret one of my machines. After an initial moment of surprise, I gave it some thought. Being 50% Indian and 50% Swiss, I am firmly convinced that mixing DNA creates interesting results, so why not try the experiment in watchmaking? I therefore agreed and suggested the FlyingT model, which is particularly dear to my heart.”

H. Moser & Cie. and MB&F have thus jointly created two models, available in several versions and issued in 15-piece limited series. This number is a nod to the 15^th anniversary of MB&F as well as honouring the 15^th anniversary of the relaunch of H. Moser & Cie.

Legacy Machine 101 MB&F x H. Moser

For Maximilian Büsser, The Legacy Machine 101 distills the very quintessence of mechanical watchmaking: the balance wheel, the power reserve and the passing of time. It is therefore no coincidence that MB&F has chosen to revisit this model. Like H. Moser & Cie. and the “back to basics” approach embodied in its Concept watch series, MB&F has chosen to remove its logo and return to its roots and indeed to the very origins of horology, when only the movements were signed.

Therefore, MB&F has abandoned the floating domed subdials to display the hours and minutes as well as the 45-hour power reserve by means of hands placed directly on the main dial. The fumé dials borrowed from H. Moser & Cie. can thus be expressed in complete freedom.

LM101 MB&F x H. Moser

The mesmerising large suspended balance wheel continues to take centre stage, albeit completely redesigned on the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser in order to highlight the fumé dials. This beating heart, which represents the quintessence of watchmaking in the eyes of Maximilian Büsser, has been fitted with a double balance spring produced by Precision Engineering AG.

LM101 MB&F x H. Moser

Through the case back, the curved sapphire crystal reveals the ‘engine’ driving this timepiece. Unlike the base movement of the Legacy Machine 101, of which the finishes were determined by co-creator Kari Voutilainen, the aesthetics of the calibre LM101 that powers the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser is more contemporary, with a subtle NAC treatment.

Four fumé dials have been chosen for the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser

Four fumé dials have been chosen for the LM101 MB&F x H. Moser: Red fumé, Cosmic Green fumé, Aqua Blue fumé and Funky Blue fumé. Topped with a domed sapphire crystal, the 40 mm case is made of steel, for only the third time in the history of MB&F. Price: 45,000 euros.

Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F

H. Moser & Cie. has borrowed from MB&F the concept of three-dimensional movements, a strong element of the Geneva Maison’s identity. Calibre HMC 810 (72 hours power reserve) is protected by a sapphire dome and featuring a one-minute flying tourbillon that rises above the main dial through a ventricular opening appearing at 12 o’clock. 

Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F

Benefiting from the expertise of its sister company Precision Engineering AG, H. Moser & Cie. has equipped its tourbillon with a cylindrical balance spring, the same as that developed by Precision Engineering AG for MB&F’s LM Thunderdome. Due to its specific shape, the cylindrical balance spring is far more difficult to produce and takes ten times longer to make than a traditional balance spring. 

Another reference to MB&F’s identity lies in the tilted dials, which H Moser & Cie. has adopted for its hour and minute subdials. These are inclined at 40° so that the owner of the watch is the only one to whom the time reveals, and mounted on a conical gear train ensuring optimal torque transmission from one plane to the other. 

The Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F comes in five different versions

Available in five different versions, the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F model comes in a 42 mm steel case topped by Funky Blue, Cosmic Green, Burgundy, Off-White or Ice Blue dials, all of the fumé variety. Price: 75,300 euros.

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FEATURES

Legacy Machine 101 MB&F x H. Moser

Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F