Patrick_y's enthusiastic first look at the MB&F Sequential EVO Chronograph captures the excitement surrounding a truly innovative timepiece. His initial impressions, formed after handling the watch in Geneva, highlight why this creation by Stephen McDonnell and Max BĂĽsser represents a significant leap in chronograph functionality. This article delves into the community's reaction to what patrick_y boldly declares 'THE GREATEST CHRONOGRAPH INVENTION IN 100 YEARS!', exploring its technical marvels and design philosophy.
What's better than a Split Seconds Chronograph? The new MB&F Sequential EVO Chronograph! I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this watch last week in Geneva and all I can say... This is REVOLUTIONARY. An ALL NEW Chronograph Concept! A truly great contribution to Horology!
What makes this watch special?
Yes, you can see that there are two seemingly independent chronographs. But what is that button at the 9 o'clock position? Here is where the magic happens. The MB&F website describes it better than I can... "The LM Sequential EVO movement incorporates two column-wheel
chronographs and a revolutionary “Twinverter” binary switch, allowing
multiple timing modes: independent timing, split-second, sequential (lap
timer), and even a cumulative “chess match” mode – a combination never
seen before in any previous wristwatch."
The Twinverter here is magical. And this concept makes it better and more useful than any traditional split seconds chronograph. Even the Double Split! Or Triple Split!
When I saw and handled this watch last week in Geneva, I was astounded. It was true horological history in the making! I could barely contain myself. I had to wait a whole week due to the embargo on this news! I didn't mention it to a soul.
Basically it works like this; you have three timing modes:
Sequential Mode Lap Timer: Time one race horse, every time it passes a checkpoint, you press the "twinverter" button and this will display the time on the display, so you can record it on a piece of paper, chronograph continues running, you can repeat this any number of times for multiple checkpoints.
Simultaneous Mode Split Seconds: Start timing two race horses. Press the Twinverter button, both chronographs start. When Tortoise passes the line, you stop Chronograph #1. When Hare passes the line, you stop Chronograph #2.
Independent Mode: Time two completely unrelated things. For instance, the cooking time of two different meats on the grill.
Here's a short video of gorgeous people using this gorgeous-er watch:
Now, I know my readers (i.e. YOU) would rather get it from the horse's mouth than from my keyboard. So without further ado, here's the press preview they launched. You can hear Mr. Busser and Mr. McDonnell describe their creation.
This is AMAZING. It's amazing that a small independent brand and Stephen McDonnell came up with these incredible inventions. Whereas established legacy brands create only further interpretations of the classic century old split seconds chronograph. This wasn't created by Rolex, nor Vacheron Constantin, nor Breguet, nor chronograph expert Zenith, nor chronograph expert Minerva, but a tiny brand that sells only a small amount of watches a year, and has only around 30 million Swiss Francs in revenue a year... Wow... Small independent watchmaking at its finest.
It is my great pleasure to introduce this amazing timepiece to you. Now... MB&F, you really ought to loan me one of these watches so I can write a full review! Too bad, this watch will surely sell very well (some of you will be sending emails to your dealer soon) and thus they won't have an extra one to loan me!
I can only beg our WatchProSite members to share with us their impressions! As an owner of a traditional split seconds chronograph, I am SUPER IMPRESSED! Well done Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Busser! Well done the whole team at MB&F! Bravo!
Key Points from the Discussion
The Sequential EVO's design brilliantly solves the traditional chronograph issue of amplitude loss, a problem Stephen McDonnell addressed with a groundbreaking approach that maintains accuracy and stability.
The innovation seen in the MB&F Sequential EVO and LM Perpetual raises questions about the R&D capabilities of larger, established brands and whether such continuous innovation is feasible within more corporate structures.
Despite its innovative features, the MB&F Sequential EVO Chronograph's pricing at 380,000 CHF for a 1/10th chrono invites comparison with other high-complication chronographs, such as FP Journe's 1/100th chrono, though the MB&F is generally considered to offer more overall innovation.
MB&F's apparent aversion to a running seconds hand, particularly in Legacy Machine watches, is likely a conscious design choice, as the visible balance wheel movement already indicates the watch is running, and adding a seconds hand might visually overload the dial.
The 'Twinverter' binary switch in the Sequential EVO allows for unprecedented timing modes—independent, split-second, sequential (lap timer), and cumulative 'chess match'—making it more versatile and useful than traditional split-seconds chronographs.
While acknowledging the technical prowess, some collectors find the Sequential EVO's dial visually 'messy' and lacking legibility, preferring a cleaner aesthetic despite the advanced complications.
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The Discussion
EN
enjoythemusic
May 31, 2022
Congrats to Stephen, Max, and all their friends. A new level of achievement that surely ranks MB&F within the true modern horology Holy Trinity.
JP
jp884
May 31, 2022
Functional art at it's finest.
PA
patrick_y
May 31, 2022
A Porsche is functional art. It's very functional, and it's kind of artistic. But this is just beyond... This is just amazing! So much art!
PA
patrick_y
May 31, 2022
I wonder what else Max and Stephen can come up with? This is surely the one for the history books! From a functional perspective, this is amazing!
XI
xiu laba
May 31, 2022
We are in for a treat today with both of these releases. Hope you can get your hands on one to give us a detailed review Patrick. Regards
MA
mahesh
May 31, 2022
Impressive the way MB&F have designed such a complex movement….Max never ceases to surprise! Thanks for sharing Patrick. Best, Mahesh.,
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