MB&F’s M.A.D. Editions has collaborated with renowned British Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori to unveil the M.A.D.1S ‘Grow Your Dreams.’ It is a trio of three watches – each infused with Yinka Ilori’s love for colour and inspired by and named after the “Sun,” “Nature,” and “Water.” They are based on the M.A.D.1S that was unveiled last year as a successor to the M.A.D.1.
Each edition is limited to 400 pieces.
“For Yinka Ilori, the world is a canvas for optimism. Through bold colour and playful design, he infuses everyday objects with joy and meaning, blending cultural heritage and social commentary across multiple disciplines including architecture, fashion, homeware, and large-scale installations. His vivid works – from London’s grey corners to custom McLarens – are grounded in a belief instilled by his parents: to nurture dreams with patience and hope, often symbolised through recurring tree motifs.”
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: Sun edition. Numerals on the cylinder are by Yinka Ilori and coated with Super-LumiNova. Notice the stamped leaf pattern on the green rubber strap.
Hours and minutes displayed on a single cylinder.
Crown at 12 o’clock for winding and time setting.
Movement
Image: Water edition. “While the case and Swiss-made LaJoux-Perret movement remain as in the M.A.D.1S, the titanium rotor has been entirely reimagined and re-engineered: slimmer, more intricate, and milled with a tree motif, then anodised in yellow, green, or blue. Super-LumiNova highlights both the contours and Ilori’s motto: Grow Your Dreams.” Notice the details on the crown, and the mismatched dark and light blue strap.
Powered by an inverted Manufacture La Joux-Perret G101 movement that drives the rotating cylinder. A Swiss made movement, it features a unidirectional automatic winding titanium rotor. Height: 4.45 mm. Diameter: 11 ½ lignes or 25.94 mm (approximately). Jewels: 24. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 68 hours.
Case
Image: Nature edition. “The use of colour extends to the bezel: a machined groove is filled with HyCeram, a high-tech ceramic, then hand-polished. A stamped aluminium baseplate adds 3D wave textures under the movement.” Notice the mismatched purple and red strap.
Made from stainless steel 316L. Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness: 15 mm. Dial or “rotor” side features a sapphire crystal, and caseback features a mineral glass – both with dual side anti-reflective coating. Water resistant up to 3 ATM or approximately 30 metres.
Straps and Buckle
Left: Water edition. Right: Nature edition. Notice the attention to details. Yinka Ilori has his own font, as does M.A.D. Editions. Straps are interchangeable.
Each edition is delivered with a mismatched colour rubber strap and a white rubber strap. Buckle is made from stainless steel. Sun edition comes with a yellow and green strap. Nature edition comes with a purple and red strap. Water edition comes with a dark and light blue strap.
Image: Two incredible artists in one frame. Yinka Ilori (left) and Max Büsser (right).
“I’ve always been obsessed with trees. Harvesting and growing them because you invest time in it. It’s pouring love into something you care about, and that starts a conversation. It’s the same for this process, and the way of thinking behind it with Max. You have to be patient and harvest a watch. There are similarities between our universes. Typically, mine are very public, but there’s something very private and public about a watch. Everyone sees it, but it’s you who has that connection with it.” – Yinka Ilori.
Image: Sun edition. I love the yellow rotor. The contrast of different colours on each edition is phenomenal.
“Yinka Ilori lives in a universe bursting with colour; his work makes you feel alive, like a rush of adrenaline pushing you to go further. This collaboration has created something that brings joy, a reminder to realise your own dreams.” – Maximilian Büsser, MB&F Owner & Creative Director.
Our Thoughts
Left: Yinka Ilori’s pop-up at the MB&F M.A.D. Gallery in Geneva. Right: Art on your wrist. Sun edition on Yinka Ilori’s wrist.
It has been a busy year for MB&F – it is their 20th anniversary year after all. Earlier this year M.A.D. Editions launched the M.A.D.2 – a nightclub inspired watch by renowned designer and longtime MB&F “friend” Eric Giroud. Soon after, they launched the Special Projects or SP One – a sensational two-hand watch marking a new collection for the brand, one that is neither a HM (Horological Machine) or LM (Legacy Machine).
The ‘Grow Your Dreams’ series allows the brand to use the M.A.D.1S – the simplest watch in their portfolio – as a canvas for artistic expression. They feature an abundance of brilliantly executed details making each edition a future collectable.
Additional Details
Name: M.A.D.1S ‘Grow Your Dreams’
Reference: “Sun” – limited to 400 pieces
Reference: “Nature” – limited to 400 pieces
Reference: “Water” – limited to 400 pieces
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 3,200 + VAT
Typical of the brand’s previous M.A.D. Editions, a portion of the ‘Grow Your dreams’ series will be reserved for the Tribe (MB&F owners) and Friends (suppliers) on a first come, first serve basis. The remaining quantity will be offered via a raffle – which opens on September 2nd and closes on September 8th.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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