MB&F HM5 'On the Road Again' Review

After the LM1 that initiated within the MB & F collection a new line of Machines less radical and yet so inspired, Max Büsser and his friends are back at the end of 2012 with the latest Horological Machine, the HM5 "On the Road Again".

Since 2005, the first 4 Horological Machine have changed the watchmaking rules  with their sources of inspiration rooted in contemporary culture, in their alternative approaches  of time display and their three-dimensional structure which made them similar to horological sculptures. Despite their differences, their originality, they have been built a coherent line because they share, sometimes with subtility, common traits that draw a sort of continuity between them. Max Büsser invited us to travel in space, in the sky, to dive in the 50s, in the science fiction and manga universes. So I was wondering with a lot of curiosity what would be the themes behind the new Horological Machine. This question systematically creates envy, excitement to learn more when the Machine is looming.


The HM5 does not disappoint at this level: this is not one but two main sources of inspiration which coexist in this Machine which is a true anthem of the early 70s.

The first source of inspiration comes from the digital display watches, a kind of dinosaur species (from the Cretaceous because about to disappear) which were one of the last centres of resistance of the mechanical timepieces against the rise of the quartz powered watch. To thwart the progress of this technology, many brands embarked on alternative projects with bold and futuristic designs that were telling the time through disks. The problem of these watches was the relative difficulty to read the time because disks were quite small in order to be inserted in the case and powered by the usually basic mechanical movement.


One of the most famous representatives of this category of watches was the Amida Digitrend whose style makes us invariably think about a kind of gadget straight-out from Star Trek! The tapered case and the vertical time display remind us  more  Captain Kirk's watch  than John Doe's one on planet Earth.

A futuristic watch of the 70's with LED display, the Casquette from Girard-Perregaux:


Unfortunately, this creative boldness was not enough and these watches were washed away by the wave of quartz. Aficionados kept in memory their charm and even some started to collect them. 40 years later, it is clear that they have kept their appeal through futuristico-kitsch style which place them outside of any watchmaking system. And amongst these adicionados we find Max Büsser who was seduced by the incomparable aesthetic approach and the vain (and so seductive) side of their fight that didn't do anything more that hardly slowing down the inevitable.



The second source of inspiration can be found in the supercars from the same period which showed the same aesthetic audacity, the same excessive side a few months before  the first oil  crisis.

Figures are magnified by 20%:


The great asset of the HM5 is its ability to reincarnate these oblivious years while retaining all the features that make the strengths of any Horological Machines: a high quality of execution, a gret care to the elements that make it up and the little details here and there which give an extra character and a playful touch.


The HM5 is not a clone of the Amida despite a similar case. Fortunately and obviously, the Machine goes much beyond in terms of quality level. The Amida was created in a hurry, in response to the arrival of a new technology. On the contrary, the HM5 is the project in which Max Büsser spent the most time.


The  zirconium  case (or better said the bodywork!) of the HM5 is the part that convinced me the most: streamlined, complex and fluid at the same time, it reminds me the curves of the HM4 one especially when observed on the side. As such, the family air is indisputable, reinforced by the visual impression given by the strap "lugs". But its main feature is its modularity. Through the small crown located on the case side, we can open the rear flaps that evoke these famous supercars as well. These components have several functions:  they first transform the appearance of the watch. Then, they change the time display lighting  thanks to the passing light. Finally, if the watch goes into the water, they facilitate the evacuation of the liquid. Indeed, the movement is housed in a kind of  waterproof container waterproof. There is an area between the case and the container in which can light, air, water move.

Let's open the flaps!


The crown is handled with ease thanks to its ergonomic design and its size. It features the famous battle-axe motif on top, symbol of MB & F since the very beginning. Three radial bearings support the winding stem to prevent any improper handling due to a not suitable position.


By turning over the case, we discover the basis of movement which is very familiar to us. Indeed, the visible caliber comes from Girard-Perregaux like it was the case on the HM2 and HM3. It features its traditional gold battle-axe shaped rotor. The performance of the calibre are classic i.e. a 4 Hz frequency and a power reserve of 42 hours. Thanks to its very good winding efficiency, it powers without problem the display module.


The latter deserves special attention. It was developed by chronode duet Jean-François Mojon and Vincent Bogdan to animate two disks (hours and minutes) which overlap as much as possible. Unlike the Amida and its cousins, the HM5 offers a jumping hours system which is very welcome here because it facilitates the legibility of time. The technical performance is solid because  hours jump in both directions to ease time setting.


The rotating numbered discs are placed flat on top of the movement. Thanks to a reflective prism designed by a high-precision optical glass supplier specialist and to a convex lens luminescent digits are magnified by 20% and are displayed vertically in the dial (or more precisely the "dashboard"). The HM5 is a true light box! The light is reflected, bent to get an optimized display which allows to read the time much easier than on the Amida. The result is very convincing as the numbers are very legible even if the small pin of the green outline of the minutes, in fact, the marker, is hardly visible.


As usual with any Machine, despite the large size (51, 5 x 49 x 22, 5 mm), the HM5 is worn with comfort because it is well positioned on the wrist despite the absence of a folding clasp. The "Racing" type rubber strap holds well the Machine and the strap lugs allow a good adaptation to different types of wrist.


The HM5 is a successful Machine, intelligently designed, with an excellent perceived quality, and which manages to bring back us without any difficulty in the early 70s atmosphere.


And yet, despite all these assets, I did not have the same love at first sight that I had felt with the previous Machines. I wondered why. I just think that it is missing one really surprising side to fully seduce. Finding its main inspiration from watches that have actually  existed and not in other mechanical objects, this HM5 becomes almost more "a watch" than a real "Machine" as the HM4 could be considered being a real flying object at the wrist. The automotive inspiration is obviously there but the atmosphere of the Amida can be felt continuously. Finally, the HM5 is paradoxically perhaps too thoughtful, too respectful of its influences. It gives the feeling of being less spontaneous and loses its quirky side while winning control. It is undoubtedly a watch with maturity, but what is expected from Max Büsser is not on the contrary that he expresses his memories, his child at heart in a  less controlled way?


I would not say that I was disappointed by the HM5. But maybe it didn't meet my expectations which are always very high with a new Machine.

The HM5 "On the Road Again" is presented in a limited series of 66 pieces in zirconium case.

I would like to thank a lot the team of MB & F and the MAD Gallery.

Fr.Xavier

PS: please note that the pictured watch is a prototype and that some details may differ in the final version.


Engine:
Three-dimensional horological engine developed by Jean-François Mojon and Vincent Boucard of Chronode
Powered by a Sowind gear train
Battle-axe 22k gold ‘mystery’ automatic winding rotor
Power reserve: 42 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800bph/4Hz
Number of components: 224
Number of jewels: 30
Engine housed in a water resistant, stainless steel inner container


Functions/indications:
Minutes and bi-directional jumping hours displayed by reflective sapphire crystal prism with integrated magnifying lens
Slide to open/close louvres on case top

Case:
Zirconium with internal water resistant steel engine container
Slide button to open/close louvres
Exhaust ports to drain water
Dimensions: 51.5mm x 49mm x 22.5mm
Number of components: 80
Water resistance of engine container: 30m / 90’ / 3atm


Sapphire crystals:
Smoked optical grade sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and 20% magnification. Sapphire crystal on back with anti-reflective treatment on both faces.

Strap & Buckle:
Sculptured rubber strap, titanium tang buckle