Unlike the Horological Machines, which explore extremely diverse aesthetic territories, the Legacy Machines are characterized by their family resemblance based on common elements: round cases, curved glasses, off-centered dials ... and especially the balance wheel positioned on the foreground on the
Unlike the Horological Machines, which explore extremely diverse aesthetic territories, the Legacy Machines are characterized by their family resemblance based on common elements: round cases, curved glasses, off-centered dials ... and especially the balance wheel positioned on the foreground on the dial side and hanging on arch-shaped bridges.
The Legacy Machines thus mainly put on stage the oscillations of the balance wheel (s) to offer a mesmerizing show. The time display is almost secondary even if it is done in a traditional way. The LM Perpetual, yet the most complicated piece of the collection, is no exception to the rule despite its innovative perpetual calendar mechanism: the balance wheel reigns supreme, above displays and mechanical prowess. So, after proposing a complicated LM, a more simple LM (the LM 101), I was wondering what was going to be the direction chosen by MB&F to create its new Legacy Machine. And the guiding idea is finally logical: the goal of the brand new LM Split Escapement (SE) is to go to the end of the concept by completely isolating the balance wheel from the other moving elements of the regulating organ. The balance / hairspring duo was the main actor of the Legacy Machines, with the LM SE, it makes its "one man show". However, an important remark has to be made: the LM Perpetual already proposed the same principle. But the visual impact of this isolation was less noticeable in a more sophisticated context.
The animation of the dial of the LM SE is therefore original and it is what differentiates this watch from the other members of the collection, LM Perpetual apart: the balance wheel oscillates while being animated by an invisible source of energy. In fact, the escape wheel and the anchor are located 12mm below and find again their traditional place, movement side. I touch here what is for me the main charm of the LM SE. Both sides of the watch are animated: the dial-side with the balance wheel, the movement side with the escape wheel and the anchor, while the Legacy Machines, which house the whole regulating organ on the dial side, offer "inert" movements.
Personally, I find that the idea of isolating the balance wheel deserves to be tried and the observation of the slow oscillations is perhaps even more captivating. However, I tend to regret not seeing at the same time the impulses of the other components of the regulating organ. Finally each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. The LM SE and the LM Perpetual distribute the animation of the heart of their movements and I can't affirm that this constitutes a real asset compared to a LM 101 for example: the result is different.
From an aesthetic point of view, the LM SE returns to the symmetrical approach that was abandoned with the LM 101. The organization of the dial reminds me of the Lange Datograph: the three sub-dials draw an equilateral triangle and perhaps is it a wink from Max Büsser to his Blümlein years. The main sub-dial, at noon, is dedicated to the time display. The power reserve indicator is on the lower right sub-dial, while the lower left sub-dial displays the date. The LM SE is the second Legacy Machine to offer a date display after the LM Perpetual and its innovative movement developed by Stephen McDonnel. The affiliation with the LM Perpetual is clear and it is the reason why the movement of the LM SE has also been developed by the same watchmaker. From a practical point of view, the influence of the LM Perpetual, beyond the Split Escapement, is found in the system of deactivation of the quick date adjustment pusher around midnight: a security coming from the mechanism of the perpetual calendar.
The link between the LM SE and the LM Perpetual is also noticeable in the design of the arches of the balance bridge because I find again their organic and fluid shape while those of the other Legacy Machines have a more marked base.
At first glance, the simpler rendering of the LM SE could suggest that the case would also be reviewed or reduced as with the LM 101. But no! The LM SE has the same diameter (44mm) and the same thickness (17.5mm measured from the top of the dome) as the LM Perpetual. This size is not insignificant. The diameter is large and therefore requires a suitable wrist to wear the watch without being visually speaking ridiculous. The thickness is perhaps more problematic even if it remains finally more reasonable than on the LM2! However, the folding clasp, still effective, allows to position the watch even on smaller wrists. Having said that, be careful with one important point: its dial being less busy than the LM Perpetual one, the LM SE tends to have a bigger perceived size.
The particularity of the LM SE comes from the fact that at this stage, the watch is available with only one case, in white gold but with 4 different colors of the grained dial (blue, ruthenium, pink gold, yellow gold for 18 pieces each) which serves as a support for the sub-dials. 4 colors for 4 atmospheres ... and especially for 4 movements finishes! I appreciate very much this care given to details and this quest for coherence which give the proof that the watch was designed with a meticulous attention. For the moment, I have only seen the ruthenium version, but its visual rendering convinced me: the grained finish of the dial, which I had rediscovered with the LM 101 "Frost", offers surprising and seductive light effects that ideally complement the animation brought by the balance wheel.
The movement of the LM SE offers the same architecture as that of the LM Perpetual. Moreover, if I couldn't read the indication of the number of jewels (35 against 41 for the LM Perpetual), I would have trouble distinguishing them. This movement is both a technical feat and an aesthetic success. Technical feat considering the stability it must bring to the extremely long balance wheel axis. Aesthetic success because it is not only beautiful in its presentation but also finished in a flawless way: continuity of the Geneva stripes, graining, bevelling, everything is impeccable.
I like the greater contrast between the moving parts and the bridges and the shape of the latter. And then, common thread of all Legacy Machines, it is a low frequency movement (2.5hz). This frequency is obviously a tribute to traditional watchmaking, but it is also optimal for making the balance wheel oscillations so attractive. Finally, the power reserve display is justified by its length of 3 days.
The LM SE is again a convincing Legacy Machine. Taking advantage of the advances of the LM Perpetual, it offers a purer dial to get to the point and reaffirm the major role of the balance wheel. But personally, it's not the Legacy Machine that I prefer. Given the case size, I was less convinced by the lay-out of the dial with the two sub-dials at its base that give the impression of pulling the center of gravity down. Moreover, if I greet the practical aspect of the watch with the date display, I would have liked to see another complication on the left sub-dial: a moon phases display for example. Dates are good, security is good but let's be clear: with a quick date system based on a pusher, setting the date is not a big problem in general. Or it would have been necessary to complete the time display by a day / night one so to become really really useful.
On this point, the LM SE left me not fully satisfied. Nevertheless, it is worthy of the collection and in terms of quality, it meets the extremely high standards from MB&F. And I don't forget that it offers the opportunity to enjoy a movement developed by Stephen McDonnel which is not the least of its strengths.
Thanks to the Chronopassion team.
Pros:
+ the irreproachable quality of the execution
+ the surprising visual rendering of the isolated balance wheel
+ the consistency between the finishes of the dials and of the movements
+ the light reflections of the grained dial
Cons:
- the thickness
- I would have preferred a more poetic or bolder complication than the date display
- the dial lay-out seduces me less than on other Legacy Machines
