As many remember, the Legacy Machine 1 model from 2011 laid the foundation for the Legacy Machine collection, marking a radical departure from MB&F's retro-futuristic vessels. Created in honor of great horological innovators with MB&F's signature three-dimensional kinetic twist, the Legacy Machine featured a traditional round case, white lacquered dials with Roman numerals, and a captivating, monumental balance wheel suspended at the center of the dial. The attributes of the Legacy Machine 1 became the basis for the LM watch dynasty with ever-growing complications. Then, in 2017, just six years after its debut, MB&F delivered a swan song for its Legacy Machine 1, releasing a final 18-piece edition in steel.
Well, at MB&F, the word “final” is not definitive. Just when we thought the LM1 was gone forever, MB&F revives the 2011 LM1 prototype to mark the tenth anniversary of the LM collection. The unique piece will be auctioned at Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo in Geneva on November 7, 2021, with a significant portion of the proceeds going to the Save the Rhino International fund. If you're in town for the Only Watch auction on November 6 and miss out on the MB&F HM10 Panda, you can always try again and bid on this sole LM1 “Longhorn” prototype the next day.
PROTOTYPE
After all LM1 stock was exhausted, MB&F decided to save the original LM1 prototype and release it to celebrate the tenth anniversary. This isn't the first time MB&F has revived a prototype: in 2020, the HM4 Kittyhawk prototype was sold to a private collector. However, to give more MB&F fans a chance to bid on this unique prototype, the Legacy Machine 1 “Longhorn” is up for auction.
LONGHORN LUGS
The prototype became known as the “Longhorn” due to the long lugs or horns that were intended to be a distinctive design feature of the LM1 during its design phase in 2009-2010. However, the long horns were not ideal. The issue of where to place the spring bar, near the case or at the tip of the lug, ultimately convinced Max Büsser and Eric Giroud to opt for shorter lugs. Nevertheless, Büsser didn't give up, and the idea of long horns still appeals to him. “During one of our recent brainstorming sessions, I suddenly had the idea to drill two holes for the spring bar in the long horn - one hole at the tip of the horn and another closer to the case - and then let the client decide where to place their strap. I don't know why I didn't think of this 10 years ago!”
STEEL CASE AND BLACK SUB-DIALS
Restoring the original concept of long, curved lugs - a unique feature not found in any other LM1 watches - there are several other attributes that make this prototype truly unique. While most LM1s were made from gold, platinum, and titanium, the LM1 Longhorn is made from stainless steel, just like the LM1 Final Editions of 2017. The main plate is rhodium-plated, and for the first time in LM1's history, the glossy white lacquer of the sub-dials has been replaced with shiny black lacquer, which contrasts exceptionally well with the blued hands. The arched bridge spanning the balance wheel matches the latest, more organic version of the bridge, which is also found in the Final Edition models.
As in previous releases of the Legacy Machine 1, the 44 mm diameter and 16 mm height case is equipped with two crowns for setting the time of two independent time zones, displayed on two black sub-dials with white Roman numerals. The original vertical power reserve indicator is located at the “6 o'clock” position, and the monumental 14-mm balance wheel, rotating at 18,000 vph, takes pride of place suspended above the dial.
The reverse side reveals the three-dimensional watch mechanism, developed for MB&F by Jean-François Mojon, with 19th-century traditional hand-finishing under the supervision of Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen: polished internal bevels, Geneva waves, gold chatons with polished countersinks and hand-engraving. The names of both men are engraved on the bridge, and the word “Prototype” is engraved on the stainless steel rim of the case back.
The LM1 “Longhorn” will be auctioned at Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo on November 7, 2021, in Geneva. The prototype's nickname “Longhorn” came to the MB&F team during a brainstorming session and is a direct reference to the rhinoceros - an endangered species hunted for its long horns. A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the prototype will be donated to the London-based organization Save the Rhino International, which works to protect five species of rhinoceros in Africa and Asia.
For more information, visit www.mbandf.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - MB&F LEGACY MACHINE 1 “LONGHORN”
Case: diameter 44 mm x height 16 mm - stainless steel, matte and polished - 2 crowns for setting 2 independent time zones - long curved lugs with 2 spring bar positions
Dial: rhodium-plated base, circular graining - 2 black sub-dials with blued hands for 2 independent time zones - suspended 14-mm balance wheel at center with arched bridge - unique vertical power reserve - high-dome sapphire crystal
Movement: developed specifically for MB&F by Jean-François Mojon - manual winding - single mainspring barrel with 45-hour power reserve - custom-made 14-mm balance wheel with 4 regulating screws on the dial side - 2.5 Hz/18,000 vph - 279 components - 23 jewels - traditional 19th-century hand-finishing under the supervision of Kari Voutilainen - sapphire crystal with AR coating on both sides - Jean-François Mojon and Kari Voutilainen engravings on the bridge - “Prototype” engraving on the case back
Strap: brown calfskin leather strap - stainless steel buckle
Availability: unique piece to be auctioned at Phillips on November 7, 2021, in Geneva