Independents

The Horological Machine No. 4 is the most radical creation from Maximilian Busser, which is saying a lot given his track record. And based on anecdotal evidence gathering from collectors and potential buyers, the MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt has certainly elicited the strongest reactions.

 

 

 

The HM4 reminds me of the pod racer from Star Wars, while the movement is reminiscent of the USS Enterprise. But unlike the previous Machines, the HM4 is not in the traditional form of a watch – a flat object sitting on the wrist – which the others were. Instead the MB&F HM4 is three dimensional; it is a watch that rises from the wrist. I cannot think of another wristwatch that possesses such a form; all other avant-garde timepieces are essentially two-dimensional shapes on the wrist.

 

Creating the shape of the HM4 called for a block of sapphire and another of titanium, which fit together to form the case. According to Max the piece of sapphire is the single most expensive component of the watch. Notice the beautiful curves of the sapphire on the underside of the watch.

 

 

 

 

Though the Horological Machines are better known for design than finishing, the HM4 possesses a surprisingly high level of finish, better than that of the earlier Machines. One limiting factor of the HM2 and 3 was the Girard Perregaux base movement, in contrast the HM4 uses an entirely new calibre, developed by Laurent Besse and Beranger Reynard, on which decorative finishing can be well exhibited. The sapphire band running around the case exposes much of the movement, while the balance cock is strategically located. Interestingly the balance wheel is a traditional screwed balance, which looks out of place on such a watch.

 

 

 

 

Funnily enough this is the most legible of the HM series. It features a conventional, albeit small, dial with two hands. The dial is a nod to the aviator's B-Uhr of the past, though the hands are not the diamond-shaped hands one finds on the B-Uhr. Max says those hands would have been nearly impossible to tell apart on such a small dial. And the HM4 also wears comfortably on the wrist, thanks to the spring-loaded lug. It just might be the most practical Machine yet.

 

 

 

But radical as the HM4 is, MB&F has arguably become the leading establishment revolutionary. With its success MB&F has become a legitimate and accepted high horology, or at least avant-garde horology, watchmaker. But it is still an outlier in terms of aesthetics and concepts. Those two ideas may converge over time as the curve shifts and the mean for a “normal” watch gets closer to what MB&F makes.

 

So the various Machines are likely to be the first in a genre. Manufacturing and materials technology is progressing so rapidly that creating watches even more bizarre will become easier. And because of the success of brands like MB&F, the door is open for others to follow suit. It is possible some of the most interesting developments will come from outside the watch industry. As the rest of the world learns about the potential of watchmaking as a business, there will be more watches like the Devon Tread 1, creating by non-watchmakers out of parts from the aviation industry.

 

And there is potential for such radical watches for the mass market. These would be at a lower price point and of a quality comparable to TAG Heuer, Omega et al, with quartz or run of the mill movements. They could easily be polycarbonate or some other easily moulded material – imagine the HM4 crafted entirely in transparent plastic. Watches “inspired” by MB&F or even watches which push the envelope further are not too far away.

 

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-09-09 01:11:56 This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-09-10 07:26:56

 

 nice post and such hot shots not only in the content but the quality as well .  i do appreciate the HM4 to the maximum but i cant see it on my wrist unlike HM2 SV , or HM3 frog .

 

 Faisal

Looks like it is only for the super "extremist" ....LOL

I really have to see that watch in the flesh.
Looking very attractive.
GEO

Max was in town to launch the HM4 a few weeks ago, together with retailer The Hour Glass. Several launch events were held, so as to keep each event small and personal. There were many MB&F owners amongst the guests, and also many with exotic rides. Many were impressed by the HM4, while some were shocked.

 

NT

will cause me many a sleepless nights to come. Have seen this in the metal and must say was quite impressed. BUT unable to commit to either buy or not right on the spot like prior experience with earlier machines.

Could the two "normal" looking dials that tell time have something to do with it? Could the spring loaded lugs fitting every wrist somehow not feeling right on mine?

I think it was just a matter of not REALLY looking at it in detail and focusing wrongly on the big picture alone. Your shots have shown a more detailed look on parts I have overlooked and as such, will be considering this one soon. Even if just in my dreams.

Thanks for sharing JX.

to the Parmigiani Bugatti watches.  Agree that it looks like a pod-racer model, or I was more inclined to think of it as a tail fin light from a 59 Cadillac.  Thunderbolt is more a term from that era - to my mind in any case.

Great photos SJX

Andrew H

I can't wait to see the HM4 in the metal.
Up 'til now I love the shots of the watch itself, but on the wrist... is it a wrist mounted infusion machine?
Don

No message body

Only these.

 

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-09-09 08:44:54

I met Max in Geneva, more to come later !





The HM4 on my wrist (pic taken by Max):





Fr.Xavier

whether its pushing the boundaries and those who think its revolutionary or those who subscibe to an more "traditional" 2 dimensional interface approach to horology, i think one can safely say one and all or a vast majority would agree that its like a piece of artwork or sculpture, albeit a mobile piece that tells time.

I am now in Freaking Jakarta at 1045am, the shops are closed, and it's Hari Raya. I woke up at 4am to fly here.

I read this post from SJX.

This is a GREAT post with relevant points. Everyone knows I like Opus projects 3 and 5 and 6 (if I could afford the 6).

I don't wanna repeat SJX words. I agree with him on all points. If I could humbly add to them I would, but I am about to make statements beyond my status as a non engineer or even a curator of art. But for what I am worth, here is what I feel:

(1) At this moment, I am alot like most people. I cannot afford an MBF4.

(2) Unlike most people, I am DETERMINED to buy one, and own it, and keep it in my heirlooms for a purpose. I believe it is one of thos black obelisks or rectangular thing that Stanley Kubrick placed in 2001 to change monkeys to men. There are VERY few such objects. They are ALWAYS, without fail, unrecognised until a hundred years later in retrospect. Gyrotourbillons, grand complications, repeaters, tourbillons, they are not black obelisks...they may cost more...they have more "status", but historically...a multidimensional timepiece with the same multidimensional cross section that extends to the inside...that's a first.

The Parmigiani is not the same...that watch is a flat watch made thick, pulled into an accordion, and shows off it's complication...and I love the watch. Will I save up to buy it? No.

(3) The HM4 is also creating a new lead edge, not a leading edge, but a new edge. This edge can spread in several ways. It will certainly allow lower entry bars with a watch like sJX's mention of hte TREAD1.

The most important edge, to me, has ALWAYS been the removal of the bar called "exclusivity". This is strange! I want to own exclusive things, but not things which exclude because of PRICE!!! I want to have watchmaking become an intellectual and academic exclusive edge....that's what will make watch collecting similar to say..(commercially) the apppreciation of the way a shoe is made, or a good suit, (engineering) the way people admire aircraft, even if they don't own one, or a cello or violin, even if they are not buying one.

The point is: The MBF4 will, like the Antiqua and the Opus 3, complete the arrival of the black slab of marble, the femur thrown into the air will become a hammer...and the mental tools for creation will begin.

Now...I am all for the Grand Seiko, Dufour and Laurent Fleurier and Greubel Forsey and everyone there....in fact, I am saving up right now to buy a Diavolo from UN, which may now seem tame. But, I see them as relevant, and I see my collection as a museum in a box...

There are not many collections that can be kept in boxes, and remain portable...certainly not wine or art.

The HM4, is something that will allow the "box" of watches to become a fascinating treasure trove of golden and platinum and steel machines of art...people can meet, compare, discuss, enjoy, exchange...

Doesn't that just beat the crap out of collecting stamps? AND....the CPF (chick pulling factor) coexists with the nerdy "Chuck" factor as well.

Maybe I should get some sleep first, and rant more later!!!

But..save up, buy something relevant like the MBF4, or the Freak! Or a Laurent Fleurier, for the sake of having the last of the best traditional watches made in 2010 and after...it's actually cool.

(3)

 

LESS expensive watches will be soon available, to the general public, that LOOK and HAVE the aesthetics of the HM4.

What will remain is only the exclusivity of PRICE and STATUS...that's OK. Anyone is free to buy..say... an LV trunk or just a box.

But the LV trunk made boxes..."cool". Cool enough to become an object of study in antiquities.

I am not being strictly academic and adhereing to journalistic parameters...you guys know what I mean. The damned LV trunks are classics, useless for travel, too expensive, but CLASSICS. ( I collect these things. I know a bit about these trunks.)

The sucess of the design and the cool factor that it has generated, is similar to the long hair, bell bottoms, and music that became the "edge"...way back when the beatles came back from Germany, yes..after 10,000 hours of work.

Yes..the MBF4 took Max to his 10,000 hours...

Yes..I feel that many wathc companies from less expensive makers, will make watches that will now have 3D cases, and later...much later...3d movements!

The world will change. No the Parmi Bugatti did not achieve that....the reason is that I believe is the man himself..Parmigiani. He was not, and remains not, the charismatic, man on the street, man minus old money, man who shares boyhood fantasies, as Max Busser.

It takes MORE than a product to make history. We all know that. We also know that it takes the right time, man, and place.

HM4...and Freak in 2002, they did it.

This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2010-09-09 21:27:02

Thanks bernard. You make some really excellent points of explaining the importance and the "why's" of this piece. Very intersting posts that I will bookmark.

Christian

I don't think I can recognise myself writting like that...I was being honest, and tired.

Let time determine whether you are right or wrong about the new edge and exclusivity of MBF4.  The test is 5 years - I think it is long enough.  The time starts NOW!

Regards

Ling

you post something that makes brutal sense, something enlightening, something of pure intellectual beauty.

I just love you for that.

Thanks for yet another eye-opener!
Magnus

very interesting points and I can certainly see your point...

I will not be able to affort this piece but I can see its place in horology. 

great report SJX

Outside of Japan, few people own a Grand Seiko, and even fewer own more than one. So that puts me in an exclusive club. Grand Seiko is certainly not exclusive because of price, it is so because of the intellectual barrier - snobbishness perhaps - that is an obstacle to its being more recognised.

It is a satisfying feeling to be part of an exclusive club. But perhaps exclusivity is being used as an excuse to explain unpopularity or lack of recognition. If it is never popular or recognised, it is exclusive forever, but to what end aside from self-gratification?

If a tree falls in the forest and no one see it, does it really fall?

If a watch is exclusive and no one wants it, is it really exclusive?

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-09-10 07:32:52

in GS makes it intellectually desirable.
So I feel that it has to do with whom championing the brand.
You and Bernard both have very positive impact to a brand as you both are passionately honest
*CL

always a treat to read your thoughts
Inspiring and useful in many ways more than just this hobby.
Thank you.
*CL

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) was a landmark, science fiction classic, coincidentally, and it prophetically showed the influence that computers would have in our future lives.

Director Stanley Kubrick's work is a profound film (a Rorschach blot). Spectacular imagery caused viewers to experience the non-verbal film, and to subjectively reach into their own subconscious to speculate about its meaning.

Many consider the 2001 bewildering, but are still inspired of how man is capable of reaching beyond, by technology.

Today, the film 2001 is STILL boring to many, but it retains a particular quality....it can be played without sound, at any party or event, as a work of art....and not intrude, as it can inspire or provide escape between people in conversation.

This is what a GOOD design of a watch, car or pen or even a pair of glasses can do.

The MB&F is most definetely one such, or probably 4 such machines. I include the Antiqua, freak, Diavolo, Opus 3 and Opus 5 all as such....and a few more.

But ONE special quality makes the MBF4 special, it has enough momentum to cause the Chinese, Japanese and Swiss...and now the USA..to begin making 3d cases....I am sure. It will appear by Basel 2011.

But I somehow feel, that Richemont will hold back. They are not wrong, but strategically, if I were Richemont, I want to provide an alternative, because...unusual watches will be less uncommon...not common for sure..but LESS common. Especially at the EXPENSIVE EXCLUSIVE end.

Let's see...

am afraid there will be more variations/modificiation to the watch in the future ala HM2 and HM3.

cen@macau

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I'm hearing that Randy Newman song... 'this is the strangest party that has ever been...'
And THIS???
Is.

I must admit that I don't always "get" MB&F's designs, and they are in general a bit too avant garde for my taste.  However, I applaud their efforts in pushing the boundaries of what we call "the watch."  Without pioneers like MB&F I think the industry would be much more stagnant.  The watch world is better off with them in the game, to be frank -- even if I cannot ever imagine myself wearing one of their existing models (except maybe the Sapphire Vision).

Cheers,
Daos

I met Max in Geneva so I will also prepare something.

Fr.Xavier