MB&F has introduced two new models to celebrate Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary. These include the LM Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition – limited to 7 pieces, and LM Perpetual Baguette Diamonds 75th Anniversary Limited Edition – limited to 5 pieces. The latter is the first LM or Legacy Machine to feature baguette-cut diamonds. Both models feature blue highlights and are powered by MB&F’s award-winning perpetual calendar calibre.
“I have been privileged over the last 27 years of their 75-year history, to have counted the Seddiqi family as very close friends. They welcomed me when I was at my most vulnerable, they many times helped me when I was down, and were there to celebrate our greatest achievements together. It is therefore my privilege and honour to celebrate this milestone of Ahmed Seddiqi, with two incredibly rare and special MB&F pieces. Both are based on the ground-breaking Perpetual Calendar developed by Stephen McDonnell. For such an exceptional anniversary, we had to choose an equally exceptional movement.” – Maximilian Büsser, owner & creative director of MB&F.
Key Features
Functions (Same for both models)
Hours and minutes displayed on the subdial at 12 o’clock. Day of the week displayed on the subdial at 3 o’clock. Date displayed on the subdial at 9 o’clock. Months displayed on the subdial at 6 o’clock. Leap year indicated by a retrograde hand at 7 o’clock. Power Reserve indicated by a retrograde hand at 5 o’clock.
Calibre or Engine (Same for both editions)
Powered by a “fully integrated perpetual calendar developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell, featuring dial-side complication and mechanical processor system architecture with inbuilt safety mechanism.” Manual winding calibre with two mainspring barrels. Parts: 581. Jewels: 41. Frequency: 18,000 vph or 2.5 Hz. Power reserve: 72 hours. It features a “bespoke 14mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws visible on top of the movement.” It is an extremely well-finished calibre,“throughout respecting 19th century style.” It features “internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft, polished bevels, Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.”
The LM Perpetual Engine was designed by Stephen McDonnell, a Northern Irish watchmaker, who studied Theology at Oxford University and watchmaking at WOSTEP in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He is among the “Friends” of MB&F.
He rethought the “entire mechanical basis” of the perpetual calendar complication. Historically perpetual calendars have used 31 days as a default, and then decide whether the months have 30 days, or 28 or 29 days in the case of February and Leap Year. The LM Perpetual Engine uses 28 days as a default – “and then adds the extra days as required by each individual month. This ensures that each month has exactly the right number of days. There is no “skipping over” redundant days, and no possibility of the date jumping incorrectly.”
“Using a planetary cam, the mechanical processor also enables quick-setting of the year so that it displays correctly in the four-year leap year cycle, whereas traditional perpetual calendar mechanisms require the user to scroll through up to 47 months to arrive at the right month and year. The mechanical processor also enables an inbuilt safety feature that disconnects the quick set pushers during the date changeover, eliminating any risk of damage.”
Case
EVO edition: Grade 5 titanium. Features a screw-down crown and the FlexRing – a monobloc shock-absorbing system. The latter is “an annular dampener fitted between case and movement, providing shock protection along the vertical and lateral axes.”
Dimensions: 44 * 17.5 mm. Parts: 70. Front and caseback feature a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Water resistant up to 8 ATM / 80 metres / 270 feet. The watch comes with a rubber strap fitted with a folding buckle made from titanium.
Baguette Diamonds edition: Stainless steel. Features 48 baguette-cut diamonds (1.5 carats) on the bezel.
Dimensions: 44 * 17.5 mm. Parts: 69. Front and caseback feature a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Water resistant up to 3 ATM / 30 metres / 90 feet. The watch comes with a hand-stitched alligator leather strap fitted with a folding buckle made from stainless steel.
Our Thoughts
MB&F is having a busy year. It is their 20th anniversary, and they have been delighting the horological community with new models. These include (but not limited to) new LM Longhorn models, the nightclub inspired M.A.D.2, the Special Projects or SP One, a new M.A.D.1S collaboration, and the new LM101 EVO. In addition, they have decided to organise a raffle to thank their collectors – where they will give away 20 watches – 10 LM101 EVO Longhorn 20th Anniversary and 10 M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary – especially designed for the occasion.
Yet the team at MB&F found the time to celebrate Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary. The EVO’s blue / anthracite and Baguette Diamonds black / blue colour schemes are gorgeous and universally popular, and would sell out in an instant if they were regular catalogue models (limited, but produced in larger numbers). The 7 EVO’s and 5 Baguette Diamond’s might have found homes already.
By honouring Ahmed Seddiqi, MB&F might have just created two of the rarest and most desirable editions of the LM Perpetual – among their most iconic creations, and a gem of independent watchmaking.
Additional Details
Name: LM Perpetual EVO 75th Anniversary Seddiqi Limited Edition
Price: Upon request
Limited to 7 pieces.
Name: LM Perpetual Baguette Diamonds 75th Anniversary Limited Edition
Price: Upon request
Limited to 5 pieces.
Both models are exclusive to Ahmed Seddiqi.
