MB&F Legacy Machine Sequential EVO Orange

The genius behind the Mb&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar, Stephen McDonnell returned in 2022 collaborating with Max Busser yet again with the creation of the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO. 

It is a pleasure for us at EsperLuxe to handle and deliver this fine example for the first time in the burnt orange dial colorway. The LM Sequential EVO is the definition of ultra-innovative in independent watchmaking.

The avant-garde brand’s first take on a chronograph is nothing short of extraordinary. The LM Sequential EVO features two independent chronograph mechanisms, separate pushers for each, and operated within a single movement. Mirrored, one chronograph features its seconds and minutes indications at one and three o’clock while the other is at nine and eleven o’clock. 

While it’s logical that there are four pushers, two for each chronograph to start/stop/reset, there is a fifth pusher at nine o’clock on the LM Sequential EVO for the “Twinverter.” When both chronographs are at rest, the Twinverter will start both chronographs in unison, even when each is in separate positions. One can be at zero while the other is at 15s, activating the Twinverter through the fifth pusher will launch both into action. The Twinverter is also used to stop both, or stop the operational chronograph and start the other. Overall, the intention of this fifth pusher is to make it easier to synchronize as well as measure asynchronous events. This includes everything from measuring the time of one event and immediately measuring the time of a second, following event – like a chess clock – or comparing intervals of time from two events – lap one vs. lap two. 

Returning to the genius of McDonnell, the LM Sequential EVO is a nontrivial feat in mechanical watchmaking. Specifically, the challenge is transferring enough power to two chronographs without damaging the general chronometric performance of the watch. Fundamentally, this is a common amplitude issue in many chronographs. McDonnell found his way through this challenge with a pair of vertical clutches, arranged on the left and right side of the dial. Here, there are two independent going-trains that flow from a single escapement, each going-train features its own large barrel. Basically, this arrangement creates a constant level of torque so that there is never a huge spike in energy demand when activating the chronographs. 

With 585 components, this is a serious process in R&D as well as manufacturing and assembly. The LM Sequential EVO is a hyper-complicated sports watch at 44mm in diameter, 18mm in height, Super-LumiNova numerals and hands, water-resistant to 80 meters, and encased in zirconium.