What is the new MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 EVO (LM1 EVO)?
It is an evolution of MB&F’s Legacy Machine N°1 (LM1) that made its debut in 2011, fifteen years ago. The original LM1 introduced classical watchmaking to MB&F, which until then was defined solely by its audacious Horological Machines (HM). Yet the LM family was MB&F’s and its namesake founder Max Büsser’s interpretation of classical watchmaking. In their own words, “a more classic, round-cased Machine inspired by the great innovators of 19th-century traditional watchmaking, yet unmistakably three-dimensional… and unmistakably MB&F.”
With two fully independent dual-time zones placed under a large floating balance spring with a power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, the LM1 gained iconic status and spawned a new range of tempting creations, such as the LM 101 EVO, LM Perpetual, and the LM Sequential Flyback EVO.
The new LM1 EVO returns to the collection’s roots. While retaining the aesthetics and architecture of the original, it now delivers a 60-hour power reserve (the original delivered 45-hours), indicated by a “redesigned inclined power-reserve display,” a reduced case size of 42 mm (the original was 44 mm), and the brand’s EVO treatment suited for an active lifestyle.
What are its dial and case features?
Titanium edition: Rhodium-plated dial plate with a sunburst finish. Blue hands. Black displays. The case is made from Grade 5 titanium, measuring 42 mm (diameter) * 16.8 mm (thickness). The dial side features a high-domed sapphire crystal, and the caseback a box sapphire crystal. They are treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The watch is fitted with an interchangeable black rubber strap and a matching titanium folding buckle.
Rose gold edition: Deep-green dial plate with a sunburst finish. Rose-gold-toned hands. Black displays. The case is made from 5N+ rose gold, measuring 42 mm (diameter) * 16.8 mm (thickness). The dial side features a high-domed sapphire crystal, and the caseback a box sapphire crystal. They are treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The watch is fitted with an interchangeable black rubber strap and a matching rose gold folding buckle.
Both editions feature the brand’s patented “FlexRing” shock protection system, thus transforming them into an EVO model. Water resistance is up to 8 ATM / 80 metres / 270 feet.
Who designed the movement?
Its “engine” (MB&F speak) or “three-dimensional horological movement” is a joint effort between MB&F’s in-house watchmakers, Jean-François Mojon (founder and president of Chronode SA, a movement workshop engaged in the design and development of watch movements for luxury watch brands) and Kari Voutilainen (founder of his namesake brand and among the most renowned watchmakers in the world).
The manual winding movement drives the two independent dual-time zones and the power reserve indicator. It comprises 270 parts and 25 jewels, beats at a luxurious frequency of 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vph, and delivers a power reserve of 60 hours. Movement features include a bespoke balance wheel measuring 14 mm (diameter) with four traditional regulating screws and a Straumann® double hairspring.
“For the new LM1 EVO editions, the regulating system has been upgraded with a Straumann® double hairspring – essentially two matching hairsprings mounted in opposing directions. A very rare configuration in watchmaking, the double hairspring cancels out the shifting centre of gravity and lateral friction on the balance staff, improving positional accuracy and isochronism. The innovative regulating system is not hidden at the back of the movement but elevated into the foreground thanks to a redesigned bridge crafted in titanium – the regulating organ transformed into kinetic sculpture.”
What do we think?
The LM1 EVO achieves several things in one watch seamlessly. As part of MB&F’s LM family, it showcases a classical 19th-century aesthetic, yet it is clothed with the brand’s EVO treatment, enabling the wearer to pursue an active lifestyle with it. The reduced case dimension of 42 mm will appeal to a broader segment of collectors, many of whom might have found the original’s 44 mm a tad large. The two independent dual-time zones offer something that most watch brands have not yet prioritised; the ability to set a second time zone offset by 30 minutes (such as India and Adelaide, Australia) or 45 minutes (such as Nepal and Chatham Islands, New Zealand). I am from India, so for me personally this is huge.
The original LM1 won both the Public Prize and Best Men’s Watch Prize at the 2012 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Whether or not the LM1 EVO wins an award remains to be seen. For now, it is nice to have this contemporary horological icon reimaged and back in the brand’s catalogue. For those fortunate to get their hands on either of the two editions, they can celebrate the fact that they are custodians of one of the coolest watches in the world.
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Additional Details
Name: LM1 EVO – Titanium edition
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 82,000 (excluding VAT)
Name: LM1 EVO – Rose gold edition
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 102,000 (excluding VAT)
Limited to 33 pieces.
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