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Introducing the Brand New MB&F HM11 Architect with a Revolving Case

by Lee Sheng . Nov 15, 2023

News

Introducing the Brand New MB&F HM11 Architect with a Revolving Case

Another clever design from the master machine maker.

Three years after the unveiling of the HM10 Bulldog, independent watchmaker MB&F has finally revealed its latest creation, the HM11 Architect. True to the brand’s signature style of playful ingenuity, the HM11 features an architecturally inspired case with a central flying tourbillon and four arms, each bearing a vertical display or crown.

The all-new HM11 Architect in blue

A house made of machines

Sixteen years after the launch of the first Horological Machine, MB&F still manages to preserve and convey its original spirit of creating watches that build on innovative elements: cool and fun cases, and clever movement design to transform simple watch functions into captivating displays.

This is evident in the HM11 Architect, as it boasts an impressive case and display that once again proves that watches can be incredibly creative like a futuristic machine. The case is built on the concept of a house, with four symmetrical rooms and a domed roof in the guise of a sapphire crystal.

It goes without saying that the case makes a bold statement on the wrist, as there is nothing quite like it on the market. Nevertheless, the case is only 42 mm in diameter, which is small in comparison to many early machines. This is good news because it is still eye-catching but can now be worn on more wrists.

Ozone blue or solar red gold

Two variants of the HM11 Architect are available, both housed in a titanium case with distinct dial or, more accurately, movement bridge colors. The first watch features an electric blue shade that the brand aptly names “ozone blue”, while the second boasts a “salmon” dial, which the brand describes as capturing the “warm solar hues of red gold”. Each of the inaugural versions of the HM11 is limited to a small run of 25 pieces.

The HM11 Architect with a "red gold" dial

Vertical displays

Then there’s the movement, which is simple yet undeniably clever. It aligns with the case’s architectural theme, as evidenced by the symmetrical, horizontal movement bridges shaped like arches, forming a quatrefoil when viewed from above. Additionally, four vertical, inclined bridges gradually ascend from the case’s edge towards the center, further accentuating the architectural theme.

Delving into the nuances of the movement, both the barrel and tourbillon take center stage. Notably, the displays deviate from the conventional dial arrangement. They undergo a transformation from horizontal to vertical positioning, nestled within the peripheral “rooms”.

The power reserve indicator (left) and hours and minutes

The thermometer with the bimetallic coil visible in the background

The use of vertical displays is a nod to the HM4 that was launched in 2010. The display at six o’clock tells the hours and minutes, and at nine o’clock, there is the power reserve indicator. In addition, a crown at three o’clock allows for time setting.

The display at 12 o’clock is a thermometer based on an old-school bimetallic strip, with a temperature range spanning from -20 to +60 degrees Celsius. The thermometer is a cool-looking display thanks to the strip visible in the background, but it is a standalone piece and not part of the movement. While some might view it as an afterthought, filling an otherwise empty space, it undoubtedly completes the watch’s overall design.

Note the thermometer at three o'clock is not mechanically coupled with the movement

Notably, the winding of the watch is not done via the crown at three o’clock but by rotating the entire case. MB&F says 10 full rotations of the case are enough to wind up the central barrel that will power the watch for 96 hours, or a solid four days.

The incorporation of central hand-winding is a clever idea for two reasons: first, the user will have to rotate the case to look at the vertical displays on different sides, and in the process of doing so, it could double up and wind up the movement. The second reason is that winding up using the case is more practical than using a crown, because it’s easier to grip and rotate.

Rotating the case allows the user to view different dials as well as wind up the barrel

MB&F HM11 Architect specs

Movement: HM11; manual wind; 96 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, power reserve indicator, and thermometer
Case: 42 mm x 23 mm; titanium; water resistant to 20 m
Strap: White rubber strap for the blue model and green rubber strap for the “red gold” model
Limited edition: 25 pieces in each colour

A house made of machines

Ozone blue or solar red gold

Vertical displays

MB&F HM11 Architect specs

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