Our Take

MB&F immediately conjures images of creativity, courage, and frankly, madness. It’s so far from the aesthetic mainstream in watches, that itself creates the intense attraction to the brand. Every Horological Machine (HM) is simply an unbelievable mechanical achievement. Naturally, the HM3 has that effect on collectors and non-collectors alike –it’s a true “wow” factor.

The HM3, MB&F’s third collaboration, was released in 2009 in conjunction with Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, master watchmaker and movement constructor behind AGENHOR. Flipping the movement on its head, allowing the solid gold “battle axe” rotor to spin freely on the surface of the “dial” played a huge role in the future of the brand’s aesthetics. The HM8 and most recent “friends and family” MAAD1 timepiece bear a similar look in homage to the HM3. As we all would expect, the AGENHOR’s movement is exquisitely finished with 304 components and 36 jewels.

This “Sidewinder,” compared to its sibling the “Starcruiser,” displays the time perpendicular to the wrist. Both cones indicate the hour, minute, second, day/night while the ring around the battle axe rotor displays the date. This gives the HM3 the vibe of a steampunk drivers watch. Overall, the HM3 is another striking example of the power of bringing together the best peoples, in this case the MB&F and AGENHOR teams, to push the boundaries of design and mechanical thinking.

The Details

Brand: MB&F

Model: Sidewinder

Case:

• 47 mm 18-carat white gold and titanium
• cones perpendicular to arm

Engine

• Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor;
• Powered by a Sowind base
• 22k gold battle-axe automatic winding rotor
• Hour and minutes information transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to laser-cut hands.
• 304 components / 36 jewels

Functions:

• Hours and day/night indicator on one cone, minutes on second cone
• Date around the movement

Crystal: Sapphire front and back

Bracelet: Black stitched alligator strap with white-gold deployant clasp

Limited Edition: 50 Pieces