4 7 5 C O M P O N E N T S R E V E A L E D B Y S A P P H I R E C R Y S T A L

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV – PLATINUM

SUMMARY

Horological Machine N°6 SV (SV for “Sapphire Vision”) adds

an extra three-dimensional layer to the biomorphic beauty

of the HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ by revealing the mechanical mar-

vels of the unique Engine within. The complex curves of two

transparent sapphire crystal plates sandwich a precious metal

“streamliner” case band, creating two horological amphithe-

atres dedicated to the appreciation of exquisite, hand-fin-

ished micro engineering.

“I always thought that the most beautiful part of HM6 was

its movement, and that it was a shame not to show it. But it

was only recently that the technology of machining sapphire

crystal allowed us to create such a complex case,” explains

MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser.

The metal case band is distinguished by horizontal lines rem-

iniscent of the American Greyhound “Streamliner” buses of

the 1950s and ‘60s, which grew out of a late Art Deco style

known as Streamline Moderne. The sandwich construction is

punctuated and highlighted by the vividly coloured stripes

of the water-resistance seals.

At the front, two spherical domes rotate vertically, respec-

tively displaying hours and minutes in large, highly legible

numerals. Aft, twin spherical turbines spin horizontally, driven

by the rotor and multiplying gearing that automatically reg-

ulates the winding system to minimize stress and wear.

A central dome houses a 60-second flying tourbillon, the pre-

cision regulator of the HM6 Engine. However, high-precision

regulators are especially sensitive to changes in oil viscosity,

and ultra violet radiation gradually breaks down lubricating

oils. This is why HM6 features a retractable, semi-spherical,

titanium protective shield; when closed, it blocks harmful

radiation from prematurely oxidising the lubrication oils in

the regulator. A crown at 9 o’clock opens and closes the

cover in – and like – the blink of an eye.

The nine sapphire crystal domes – five on top and four under-

neath – are carefully fastened to the transparent plates thanks

to a special gluing process, achieved under vacuum in a high

temperature oven. This offers maximal strength and water

resistance.

As entrancing as its organically curved exterior case is, the

real star of HM6 SV is its Engine, which doesn’t simply take

centre stage but the whole auditorium. The 475 finely-fin-

ished components make up the highly complex movement,

the result of more than three years’ worth of development.

–

Horological Machine N°6 ‘SV’ is a limited edition of 10

pieces in platinum/sapphire crystal and 10 pieces in red

gold/sapphire crystal.

There will only be 100 HM6 movements made in total.

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV – PLATINUM

DESIGN

The inspiration for HM6 SV’s precious metal case band comes

from the late Art Deco style known as Streamline Moderne,

one manifestation of which was the distinctive horizontal

lines running along the iconic Greyhound Streamliner buses

of the 1950s and ‘60s.

Streamlining was a concept first conceived by industrial

designers who stripped the ornamental aspects of Art Deco

design to focus on the scientifically pure aerodynamic concept

of motion and speed.

Next to the streamlined case band, the organic curves of

HM6’s case derive from an early 20th century art movement

labelled “biomorphism”, in which art is modelled on the nat-

urally occurring shapes and forms found in nature and living

creatures. Biomorphic expressions can be found in art like

Henri Matisse’s eminent work, Le bonheur de vivre (The Joy

of Life); in architecture as exemplified by La Sagrada Familia,

the famous cathedral in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí; and many

works by contemporary designers including Marc Newson.

But few have been as influential or as passionate about bio-

dynamic forms as German industrial designer Luigi Colani,

whose body of work spanned cars, furniture, electronics, a

grand piano, and even a ballpoint pen.

ENGINE

The Engine of HM6 SV required more than three years of

development due to the demanding challenges that had to

be overcome. The aluminium indication spheres displaying

hours and minutes are machined from solid blocks of metal

to an ultra-light paper thickness and revolve on ruby bear-

ings. The spheres rotate vertically at 90° to the plane of the

movement, which is extremely rare in a wristwatch due to

the complexity of the drive train and gearing required.

The eye-catching central tourbillon perched high above the

movement is a flying tourbillon developed by MB&F specif-

ically for HM6. The choice of such a sophisticated regulator

was necessitated by the restricted space under the top of

the sapphire crystal dome, which could not accommodate

the upper supporting bridge of a standard balance wheel.

The flying tourbillon can be protected from ultraviolet radia-

tion, which speeds up the oxidation of lubricating oils in the

escapement and movement, by a retractable semi-spheri-

cal shield enveloping the tourbillon with four overlapping,

curved blades. The shield is operated by a crown on the left

side of the case. These blades are paper-thin and had to be

machined from a solid ingot of titanium.

The two spherical turbines, each composed of no fewer than

15 curved vanes, are machined in two hemispheres from

solid blocks of aluminium. These turbines are driven from

the rotation of the automatic winding rotor by a gear train

designed to amplify the number of rotations. As (air) friction

increases exponentially (squared) as a function of velocity,

if the winding rotor starts rotating too quickly – most likely

due to highly active movement of the wrist – air friction on

the turbines increases and helps counteract the excessive

speed to minimise wear.

As may be expected with such sui generis movement archi-

tecture, nearly every component and mechanism had to be

developed from scratch specifically for Horological Machine

N°6. The result speaks for itself.

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SVCASE

The case of HM6 SV is a sandwich construction of a precious

metal case band between two transparent sapphire crystal

plates. The case band, in either 950 platinum or 5N+ red

gold, forms a protective wall around the movement and

supports the articulated lugs. Horizontal lines traversing the

perimeter of the case band visually break the height of the

case and accentuate the movement within.

The sapphire crystal plates on the top and bottom were

particularly difficult to machine and polish due to their size

and the complexity of the curves. The domes capping the

indications (top and bottom), turbines (top and bottom), and

flying tourbillon were then meticulously fastened to the trans-

parent plates thanks to a special gluing process, achieved

under vacuum in a high temperature oven. This offers maximal

strength and water resistance.

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

The production of HM6 SV’s 11 sapphire crystals, including

two large case plates (top and bottom) and nine domes – on

top and bottom of the two time indications and two turbines,

plus one over the flying tourbillon – posed quite a challenge.

Each was first machined from a solid block of sapphire crystal,

which is the second-hardest, naturally-occurring mineral on

earth after diamond. It is an incredibly demanding material

to shape into complex forms.

After machining each block of sapphire crystal inside and

out with diamond-tipped tools, the shapes have to be highly

polished, both inside and out, to make them transparent.

The domes are especially ambitious, as the walls have to

be of absolutely uniform thickness; otherwise the slightest

inconsistency creates disconcerting optical distortions.

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV – CLOSE-UP

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SVTECHNICAL DETAILS

ENGINE

Three-dimensional horological engine developed exclusively for HM6 by MB&F with David Candaux Horlogerie Créative

Flying tourbillon with retractable semi-spherical titanium shield

Iridescent blue platinum 950 battle-axe automatic winding rotor

Twin aluminium turbines driven by winding rotor

Power reserve: 72 hours

Balance frequency: 2.5 Hz / 18,000 bph

Number of components: 475

Number of jewels: 68

FUNCTIONS/INDICATIONS

Hours and minutes on separate semi-spherical aluminium indications

Left crown opens/closes tourbillon shield; right crown for time setting and winding

Dual turbines regulate the automatic winding rotor

CASE

Sandwich construction of two transparent sapphire crystal plates on either side of a central precious metal case band

Materials: 5N+ red gold/sapphire crystal or 950 platinum/sapphire crystal

Dimensions: 51mm × 50mm × 22.7mm

Number of components: 78

Water resistance: 30m / 3atm

STRAP & BUCKLE

Blue or dark brown hand-stitched alligator strap with gold / platinum folding buckle matching case material.

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 – ENGINE

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV COLLECTION

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV‘FRIENDS’ RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

Concept: Maximilian Büsser / MB&F

Product design: Eric Giroud / Eric Giroud Design Studio

Development and production management: Serge Kriknoff / MB&F

R&D: Guillaume Thévenin and Ruben Martinez / MB&F

Movement development: MB&F with David Candaux

Sapphire case: Sebastien Sangsue and Gregory Esseric / Sebal

Case: Fabien Chapatte and Riccardo Pescante / Les Artisans Boitiers

Profile-turning wheel/pinion/axis: Yann Le Martret / mudec

Steel spring + turbine aluminium: Alain Pellet / Elefil

Tourbillon: Dominique Lauper / Precision Engineering

Retractable shield: Benjamin Signoud / AMECAP

Plates and bridges: Rodrigue Baume / Damatec, Georges Auer / Mecawatch, Benjamin Signoud / AMECAP

Platinum winding rotor: Denis Villars / Cendres et métaux, Pierre-Albert Steinmann / Positive Coating

Hand-finishing of movement components: Jacques-Adrien Rochat and Denis Garcia / C-L Rochat

Movement assemblage: Didier Dumas, Georges Veisy, Anne Guiter and Emmanuel Maitre / MB&F

In-house machining: Alain Lemarchand / MB&F

Quality Control: Cyril Fallet / MB&F

Buckle construction and production: Dominique Mainier and Bertrand Jeunet / G&F Châtelain

Specific crown of the shield mechanism: Jean-Pierre Cassard / Cheval Frères SA

Metallisation of hour and minute domes: Roland Rhyner / Econorm

Semi spherical hour and minute: Maurizio Cervellieri / Natéber

Strap: Olivier Purnot / Camille Fournet

Presentation case: Olivier Berthon / ATS Atelier Luxe

Production logistics: David Lamy and Isabel Ortega / MB&F

Marketing communications: Charris Yadigaroglou, Virginie Meylan and Juliette Duru / MB&F

M.A.D.Gallery: Hervé Estienne / MB&F

Sales: Luis André, Patricia Duvillard and Philip Ogle / MB&F

Graphic design: Samuel Pasquier / MB&F, Adrien Schulz and Gilles Bondallaz / Z+Z

Product photography: Maarten van der Ende

Portrait photography: Régis Golay / Federal

Website: Stéphane Balet and Victor Rodriguez / Sumo Interactive

Texts: Ian Skellern / Underthedial

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 – FRIENDS

WWW.MBANDF.COM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT:

CHARRIS YADIGAROGLOU,

MB&F SA ,

RUE VERDAINE 11,

CH-1204 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

EMAIL: CY@MBANDF.COM

TEL: +41 22 508 10 33

SUMMARY

DESIGN

ENGINE

CASE

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALS EVERYWHERE

TECHNICAL DETAILS

“FRIENDS” RESPONSIBLE FOR HM6 SV

MB&F - THE GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°6 SV

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MB&F – GENESIS OF A CONCEPT LABORATORY

10 years old, 11 calibres, countless highs, boundless

creativity

In 2015, MB&F celebrated its 10th anniversary – and what

a decade it has been for the world’s first ever horological

concept laboratory: 10 years of hyper-creativity; 11 remark-

able calibres forming the base of the critically acclaimed

Horological Machines and Legacy Machines for which MB&F

has become renowned.

After 15 years managing prestigious watch brands, Maximilian

Büsser resigned from his Managing Director position at

Harry Winston in 2005 to create MB&F – Maximilian Büsser

& Friends. MB&F is an artistic and micro-engineering labo-

ratory dedicated to designing and crafting small series of

radical concept watches by bringing together talented hor-

ological professionals that Büsser both respects and enjoys

working with.

In 2007, MB&F unveiled its first Horological Machine, HM1.

HM1’s sculptured, three-dimensional case and beautifully

finished “engine” (the movement) set the standard for the

idiosyncratic Horological Machines that have followed: HM2,

HM3, HM4, HM5, HM6 and HMX – all Machines that tell the

time, rather than Machines to tell the time.

In 2011, MB&F launched its round-cased Legacy Machine

collection. These more classical pieces – classical for MB&F,

that is – pay tribute to nineteenth-century watchmaking

excellence by reinterpreting complications from the great

horological innovators of yesteryear to create contemporary

objets d’art. LM1 and LM2 were followed by LM101, the first

MB&F Machine to feature a movement developed entirely

in-house. The year 2015 saw the launch of Legacy Machine

Perpetual featuring a fully integrated perpetual calendar.

MB&F generally alternates between launching contempo-

rary, resolutely unconventional Horological Machines and

historically inspired Legacy Machines.

As well as Horological and Legacy Machines, MB&F has cre-

ated space age music boxes (MusicMachines 1, 2 and 3) in

collaboration with Reuge; and unusual clocks with L’Epée

1839 in the form of a space station (Starfleet Machine), a

spider (Arachnophobia) and two robot clocks (Melchior and

Sherman).

And there have been distinguished accolades reminding us

of the innovative nature of MB&F’s journey so far. To name

a few, at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2012,

MB&F was awarded the Public Prize (voted for by horology

fans) and the Best Men’s Watch Prize (voted for by the pro-

fessional jury) for Legacy Machine N°1. At the 2010 Grand

Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, MB&F won Best Concept and

Design Watch for the HM4 Thunderbolt. Last but not least,

in 2015 MB&F received a ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best’ award

– the top prize at the international Red Dot Awards – for the

HM6 Space Pirate.

FOLDER CONTENT

Click here to access the press release in other languages

+ all product images (low and high resolution).

HM6–SV PTFACE

HM6–SV PTFRONT

HM6–SV PTPROFILE

HM6–SV PTTOP

HM6–SV PTBACK

HM6–SV RGFACE

HM6–SV RGFRONT

HM6–SV RGPROFILE

THE MACHINE

HM6–SV RGTOP

HM6–SV RGBACK

THE ENGINE

HM6 SV FRIENDSPORTRAIT

MAXIMLIAN BÜSSER 1

MAXIMILIANBÜSSER 2

HM6 SV FRIENDSLANDSCAPE

THE FRIENDS

HM6–SVENGINE

HM6–SVENGINE 2

HM6–SVTOURBILLON

CLOSE UP

MAXIMILIAN BÜSSER