MB&F has introduced the HM8 Mark 2 Purple, the fourth edition of this automotive inspired watch. Earlier editions include pristine white, British racing green, and blue which we featured last year. The new purple edition’s body panels “recall the opulent finishes seen on the world’s most exotic supercars.”
From left: Pristine white, British racing Green, Blue, and Purple.
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: The HM8 Mark 2’s digital style display is its “dial”, showcasing the brand’s expertise in optical engineering.
Digital style jumping hours and trailing minutes display “which are optically magnified and projected vertically using precision-cut sapphire crystal prisms.”
Crown at 12 o’clock for time-setting.
Movement
Image: I love the double bubble feature, found on open top or barchetta supercars.
Powered by a “three-dimensional horological engine.” (MB&F refers to its movements as engines.) The engine is an in-house jumping hours and trailing minutes module mated to a Girard-Perregaux automatic base movement.
Parts: 247. Jewels: 30. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 42 hours. Automatic winding rotor is made from 22K gold.
Case and Sapphire Crystals
Image: The HM8 Mark 2 is a masterclass in case design, materials, and sapphire crystals.
The case is made from grade-5 titanium. Purple body panels are made from CarbonMacrolon®, a composite material developed especially for MB&F that is 8 times lighter than steel.
Dimensions: 47 mm * 41.50 mm * 19 mm. Parts: 42. Water resistant up to 3 ATM or approximately 30 metres.
“The HM8 Mark 2 Purple shimmers with a unique brilliance thanks to metallic pigments of mineral origin, similar to those used in high-end automotive paints. These pigments are blended into the translucent resin through a precise and proprietary process—carefully controlled for timing, temperature, speed, and duration—to achieve both aesthetic depth and technical excellence.”
The sapphire crystals on the top, front, and back are coated with anti-reflective material on both sides.
The watch comes with a white calfskin leather strap fitted to a tang buckle made from titanium.
Our Thoughts
Image: A true driver’s watch. MB&F says “a true supercar for the wrist.”
The HM8 Mark 2 Purple joins the lineup of this iconic MB&F model. Designed by the renowned Eric Giroud, it will appeal to collectors who appreciate unconventional and audacious horology (most of MB&F) and supercars. MB&F celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. As part of their celebrations, they launched the Special Projects or SP One – a classical watch in MB&F’s design language.
Max Büsser and his team at MB&F know how to delight collectors and enthusiasts with creations that are spectacular, whether it is their Horological Machines (HM), Legacy Machines (LM), the new SP series, and other projects and collaborations (horological or others).
The anticipation in waiting for a new MB&F model is like awaiting a Harry Potter or James Bond sequel. I wonder what else they have in store for this year.
Additional Details
Name: HM8 Mark 2 Purple
Limited edition of 33 pieces
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 68,000 + VAT
Please visit the MB&F website and Instagram page for more information.
