MB&F Horological Machine No. 2: A Dream Machine

Bernard Cheong's evocative post on the MB&F Horological Machine No. 2 transcends a mere watch review, framing it as a symbol of audacious dreams and unconventional vision. His personal reflections connect the watch to a broader philosophy of life, inviting readers to consider the deeper meaning behind independent horology.

NO.

It looks just as incredible as the one I saw in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Nah...the last time I was there as a guest of the late Carl Sagan, I was wearing a Bulova. He wore a quartz watch..the digital type with red leds. Yes..I am that "old"..

But THIS piece...from MBF would belong there.

Not because of the technology..no.

But because of DREAMS. The same dreams that brought me from a kid in Singapore...to a guest at Pasadena!!!

MY KIND OF DREAMS!!!

This watch belongs in MY world.

I want MY kids to remember my dreams, my horizons.

I am thankful that people like Max Busser and his team are around and are supported by the same people who dare to dream.

From women in film...who dared to dream..

(this girl..she was born when I was already a grad student)
 

To Max Busser's vision of a watch that probably would be accepted as sane by 1 in 1,000,000,000 people.

None of which would work at Patek!

Or at the Reader's Digest...

Or walk into a pot joint in Amsterdam...

Or try a really expensive hooker...er well...

get a chance to fly off the deck of the Nimitz on a Tiger cruise..

Bungee jump off the Nikkei Index when everyone is doing the exact opposite..

Buy a lambhorghini as your first car when earning less than 10k a month!

All that...in THIS box.

I guess...everyone working at MBF has done all of that and more..

Now for the CLOSE look at the HORIZON, the feeling of the EXTREME the RUSH...

 LOOK at those edges and those 'structures"...they don't really do anything..but they magnify emotions!!!

Maybe that's waht watchmaking is about...

More coming..

If Carl Sagan were born into watchmaking...THIS would be exactly the kind of machine he would make..

It is for the same reasons that I believed in the visions of Max Busser in 2002 when I first had a one to one meeting with him , then to discuss his own projects with Opus.

In the same spririt, Gerald Roden had a similar vision for the way forums would and should grow, academically progressive and liberal in the arts..hence the provocative nature of the Gerald Genta Forum, and the early Harry Winston forum.

Ideas of the nature and spirit of watchmaking were and still are discussed or tabled as provocative thoughts, and not as advertisements of products.

Terrible, unfair, and again provocative statemnets are tolerated to broaden the views of the collectors and enthusiasts of the art, and the craft...both poles apart...see Opus 8.
 

In 1982, I served with the armed forces as lieutenant in the airborne unit. I was in a very good physical shape, but I was terrified of heights. I remained in service, both for several years active, and 13 years in reserve.

It was NOT a voluntary occupation, and after several months of evasive maneouvres..I was finally caught to participate. After more than 5 years into service, I had sufficient jumps to enter HALO (military freefall)school. For a man with fear of heights, HALO allowed entrance to a state of mind for me.

This I never have given up, it is serenity and tranquility and great confidence in the "horizon"....an imaginary place of conquest of my own fears.

 Falling at high speed from over 25,000 feet with metal equipment, and the edginess of obeserving body postioning, emergency prtocols driving me nuts...

These have given me a strong desire for all things that simply BREAK free..and float!