MB&F
Introducing the MB&F Legacy Machine ‘Split Escapement’
MB&F
Introducing the MB&F Legacy Machine ‘Split Escapement’
In furthering the Legacy Machine story, this concept of the balance wheel being held in suspension above the watch face was amplified in the LM No.2, purified with the LM101 and elevated with the LM Perpetual. The thing that must be pointed out about the LM Perpetual, though, is that here was the first instance in which MB&F solely presented the balance wheel on the dial side. The remaining components of the regulating assembly — palette fork and escapement wheel — were placed under the dial, visible through the caseback.
The length of that shaft — that exact length — and how it was crafted, was crucial in ensuring effective transmission of energy from the barrel to the balance wheel and thereafter the transmission of the wheel’s regulation to the going train. The slightest imbalance here would’ve resulted in a watch that looked spectacular, but kept nonsense time. This was a matter of chronometry that could’ve very easily been compromised as a result of an aesthetic decision.
This bit of triumph was no mean feat. It quite clearly deserved its own stage. And that is exactly what the MB&F Legacy Machine ‘Split Escapement’ seeks to provide.
Again, this is from the one and only Stephen McDonnell, who has created a clutch system for the date pusher, such that you won’t able to manipulate the date indicator during the crucial hours when it’s getting ready to change to the next date. Essentially, the clutch disengages during these hours and renders the pusher non-functional until it’s out of the critical hours.
The watch will be produced in a 44mm white gold case, in four dial variations in frosted blue, ruthenium, red gold and yellow gold, each limited to 18 pieces.
Technical Specification: MB&F Legacy Machine ‘Split Escapement’
Movement
Manual winding movement created by Stephen McDonnell for MB&F, with the ‘Split Escapement’ mechanism; hours and minutes; date; power reserve indicator; double barrel power reserve of 72 hours
Case
44mm x 17.5mm. 18k white gold case; water resistant to 30m
Strap
Black or brown hand-stitched alligator strap with white-gold folding buckle
Price: CHF 79,000/SDG 129,400