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The MB&F Horological Machine No 3 writes the latest chapter in an extraordinary saga of creative haute horlogerie from Maximilian Busser & Friends. A timepiece not comparable to anything existent in the luxury watch universe, HM3 unites more than 300 parts in its daringly engineered self-winding movement with time and day/night indication revealing their information through a pair of three-dimensional cones and a driving system of twin ceramic bearings. This extraordinary interpretation of time and mechanical wonderment is the result of a dynamic partnership between MB&F founder Maximilian Busser and maverick master watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. The ever-inventive Mr. Wiederrecht heads up the specialty watchmaking firm of Agenhor, and devotes his time and efforts to unusual and unprecedented horological complications, such as those animating MB&F Horological Machines No's 2 and 3.
The design philosophy of MB&F places design of the case and movement on an equal footing with mechanical ingenuity--indeed, it could be said that one exists to serve the other, and vice versa. Meticulously crafted from a pleasing combination of titanium and 18-karat red or white gold, the Horological Machine No 3 case can be obtained in two equally striking interpretations. With a design that calls to mind a futuristic vessel for space travel, the HM3 Starcruiser arranges its time-display cones in a horizontal fashion, with the sapphire crystal exhibition window and calendar ring directly above. The HM3 Sidewinder switches things around a bit, and places the cones on a vertical axis in line with the arm. Consequently, the calendar disc and the sapphire crystal window revealing the movement are shifted to the left. Movement specifications of the two HM3 watches are identical; one elevated cone displays hours and day/night orientation, and the other indicates minutes; this information is relayed from ceramic ball bearings to laser-cut hands that curve precisely around the numbered edge of the cones.
An equally captivating aspect of the MB&F Horological Machine No 3 is its hand-finished automatic mechanical movement. Beginning with a refined and slender Girard-Perregaux ebauche, MB&F and its team of horological swashbucklers begin a process of extensive elaboration to realize the groundbreaking and unique displays. The end result is a mechanism comprising 304 hand-finished parts and 36 functional jewels. Sapphire crystal exhibition windows are present on both front and back of the Horological Machine, affording the lover of exceptional watches a fascinating view into the numerous aspects of craftsmanship and engineering. The front reveals the peripheral date disc, circular Cotes de Geneve finished bridges, and a spectacular 22K gold "battle axe" winding mass. On the reverse side, a figure-8 shaped sapphire window reveals the dual rotating elements which animate the exclusive cone indicators. Balance frequency of this mechanical marvel is a rapid 28,800 vibrations per hour.
The MB&F Horological Machine No 3--in both Starcruiser and Sidewinder forms--is completed by a hand-sewn alligator leather strap and an intricate triple deployant clasp in a combination of red or white 18-karat gold and titanium. The exceptional attention to detail and fine finishing of the clasps coordinate perfectly with the intricacies of the HM3 case, while providing a secure and elegant closure to the wrist.
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