In today's highly competitive boutique haute horlogerie market, few independent brands draw as much attention from enthusiasts and industry insiders as MB&F. Since 2005, this avant-garde brand has been radically reimagining the basic form of wristwatches with playful retro-futuristic streamlined concepts in the style of Flash Gordon, and this creative spirit is most vividly expressed in the series of anthropomorphic models. During the first announcements of the Only Watch 2021 charity auction, which will take place in July 2021, MB&F presented its latest animal-themed creation - the HM10 Panda - through a series of watercolor illustrations.
As the event approaches, MB&F reveals all the details about this playful, one-of-a-kind model and its striking monochrome execution, which stands out from previous models in the Horological Machine line. The unique MB&F HM10 Panda is a streamlined and cute riff on one of the brand's most adventurous recent models, with new finishing techniques and a dedication to fundraising for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The MB&F HM10 Panda case, 45mm wide, 54mm lug-to-lug, and 24mm at the tallest point of the domed sapphire crystal and case back, is sure to stand out on the wrist. Even more than the size, the unique asymmetrical sci-fi design of the HM10 Panda sets it apart from the standard wristwatch formula. Based on the design of the HM10 Bulldog 2020, hinged lugs, a broad rhomboid case shape, and an ultra-high domed sapphire crystal create a panda bear on the wrist.
The panda's black-and-white color scheme is achieved through a multi-component case construction, with the upper part made of lacquered stainless steel in black and white, and the case back and lugs crafted from Grade 5 titanium with black PVD coating. While maintaining the overall form of the HM10 Bulldog, the HM10 Panda enhances the panda bear image with a spherical black ceramic 'tail' at the '12 o'clock' position and a pair of rounded 'ears' in Grade 5 titanium with PVD coating attached to the crystal. With such an avant-garde, stylized design, it's clear that the MB&F HM10 Panda is not meant for intense sports use, yet it offers light but better-than-expected water resistance at 50 meters.
The dial of the MB&F HM10 Panda, like the case, is less of a traditional dial and more an exercise in deconstructivist anthropomorphic design. As with the HM10 Bulldog model it is based on, the 'face' of the HM10 Panda is best viewed from the '6 o'clock' side, where elements of the main skeletonized dial and case back merge into a cohesive whole. Time is tracked by a pair of domed rotating disc hands in black, forming the 'eyes' of the HM10 Panda, while under the case's belt, a pair of hinged matte and polished 'jaws' form a stylized power reserve indicator - when the HM10 Panda's mouth is closed, the power reserve is fully depleted, but when all the polished teeth are exposed, the movement is fully wound.
The signature sweeping, architectural floating balance bridge of MB&F dominates the field of view under the main crystal, and beneath this smooth polished element lies an almost entirely matte bridge with a small window at the '6 o'clock' position for the escape wheel. Overall, the character-focused, multi-window dial design of the HM10 Panda is an imaginative and playful example of the brand's creative approach to watch design, where watchmaking is viewed primarily as sculptural art.
Carried over from the HM10 Bulldog model, the manual-winding HM10 movement inside the MB&F HM10 Panda is as unorthodox as the case and dial design. This dual-crown movement uses specialized winding crowns integrated into the 'rear legs' of the case for winding and setting the time, and beyond the stylized anthropomorphic elements, employs a beautifully executed traditional set of finishing techniques on the plates and bridges, including Côtes de Genève, polished chamfers, and a light arabesque on the single mainspring barrel.
In terms of performance, the HM10 movement provides a 45-hour power reserve at a steady frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour. MB&F pairs this retro-futuristic design with an equally striking tapered woven Velcro strap with a black leather lining.
With new case finishing techniques, the addition of animalistic features, and a clean monochrome color scheme, the unique MB&F HM10 Panda is one of the most unique and stylish exhibits at Only Watch 2021. The sole MB&F HM10 Panda will be auctioned at Only Watch 2021 in Geneva on November 6, 2021, and 99 percent of the proceeds will go towards supporting research into the treatment and cure of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As this is a one-of-a-kind model, not planned for wider release, MSRP information for this watch is not provided. For more detailed information, visit the brand's website.