MB&F unveils a latest version of the HM8 Mark 2

Inspired by iconic supercars, now with blue body panels similar to car paints.

“I lost my way, I lost my marbles, and ended up in the watchmaking industry,” he shares with a smile. “So, when I decided to tackle car design in a timepiece, this was humungous for me. It was everything I had ever dreamed of.” Maximilian Büsser, Founder and Creative Director – MB&F.

MB&F – short for Maximilian Büsser & Friends – has recently unveiled the latest version of the HM8 Mark 2, now featuring blue CarbonMacrolon® body panels. HM is short for Horological Machines. It was first launched in 2023 in two versions: a version featuring white CarbonMacrolon® body panels, and a version with green CarbonMacrolon® body panels, the latter in a limited edition of 33 pieces. This latest version features a “glossy sapphire-blue body panels recalling car paints, both technically and aesthetically.”

Max Büsser and MB&F’s love for cars led to the automotive inspired Horological Machines: HM5 (2012), HMX (2015) and HM8 (2016). In 2023, a decade after the HM5, MB&F introduced its first supercar inspired HM8 Mark 2. The HM8 Mark 2,“with its distinctive “double bubble” sapphire crystal, finds inspiration in the design of some of the most iconic supercars.”

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– Reputed watch designer Eric Giroud, owner of Through the Looking Glass, is responsible for the HM8 Mark 2’s product design. He is among the many “Friends” of MB&F, having collaborated with them on other projects.

– The HM8 Mark 2’s “deep, iridescent sapphire blue is obtained from metallic pigments of mineral origin, the same as those found in metallic car paint.”

– The HM8 Mark 2 is “powered by a unique combination of mechanical and optical engineering.”

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Functions

Its functions are hours and minutes. It features “bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, displayed by dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.”

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Calibre or Engine

It features a three-dimensional horological engine, that comprises of a jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F, powered by a Girard-Perregaux mechanical automatic-winding base calibre, featuring a 22K gold automatic winding rotor. The engine comprises of 247 parts, has 30 jewels, beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz, and has a power reserve of 42 hours.

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Case

Its case is crafted in grade 5 titanium with blue CarbonMacrolon® body panels. Its dimensions are 47 mm * 41.19 mm * 19 mm. It comprises of 42 components and is water resistant up to 3 ATM / 30 metres / 90 feet.

“CarbonMacrolon® is a composite material composed of a polymer matrix injected with carbon nanotubes, which add strength and rigidity. Carbon nanotubes offer superior tensile strength and stiffness than traditional carbon fibre reinforcing. MB&F’s CarbonMacrolon® is a solid material that is hard and can be coloured, polished, bead-blasted, lacquered, satin-finished…” Developed especially for MB&F, CarbonMacrolon® is also eight times lighter than steel.

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Sapphire Crystals

Its case features sapphire crystals on its top, front, and display back and each treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. It also features “dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.”