This grade 5 Titanium MB&F Horological Machine HM9 – Flow Road forms part of the 33 piece limited edition originally introduced in 2018. The highly impressive three-piece case could easily be mistaken for an objet d’art. The HM9 draws inspiration from several of MB&F’s other mind boggling creations, namely, the Legacy Machine 2 which was thought to have been inspired by Philippe Dufour’s Duality circa 1996.

The Great Duality

The origins of the Duality represented one of the most spectacular innovations in modern watchmaking, originally thought to have been introduced in 1996. The Duality was the first ever wristwatch to have twin escapements linked by means of a differential system. In short, the principle is relatively straightforward, in order to pursue ultimate chronometry, two balance wheels are thought to be able to achieve better timekeeping by averaging out the rate of differentials between two independently operating balances.

The source of inspiration behind both movements in the LM2 and HM9 essentially pays homage to Philippe Dufour, one of the greatest watchmakers of all time.

Inspiration 

The HM9 is inspired by the dynamic profiles of mid-century design. In the post-war years of the late 1940s and 1950s, aerodynamic principles were just beginning to take root in the field of automotive design. Traditional top heavy and box like designs were being fine tuned in quest of achieving superior performance. At the same time, curvilinear forms became more prominent, carrying the immediate promise of power and speed. Today we are guided by sophisticated computer modelling and win-tunnel technology, back then, designers were guided more by their aesthetic sense than by any scientific precepts. Resulting in some of the most beautiful man-made objects ever created, epitomised by automobiles such as the Mercedes-Benz W196.

The HM9 embodies this era in a fitting way, although the case is made of 44 individual parts, Max was able to essentially create an illusion of being a monoblock case. Max’s radical transparency allows us to appreciate the work of Aurélien Bouchet, who is thought to have been responsible for the contrasting finishes found on the case. The majority of the upper surface of the case are linearly brushed, the underside is mirror polished.

Movement 

As impressive as the case and overall design of the HM9 is, the movement is equally if not more impressive. The two pods on each flank contain each of the balance wheels, while the central section found at the front, similar to an engine/bonnet of a car, indicates the time, with the winding crown on the opposite end.

The movement is powered by a single barrel that gives the 301 piece movement a 45-hour power reserve. The overall finishing found on the movement is of a high standard, visible through the anti-reflective sapphire windows are the rounded polished steel bridges for the balance wheels. The base of each bridge is features perlage, while being beveled and polished on its edges. The heart of the calibre is relatively hidden due to the unique case construction, the anti-reflective windows allow a certain glimpse of the movement, although not in its entirety, similar to that of a car. Surprisingly, the HM9 appears to be water-resistant to 30 meters due to the unique and now successfully patented 3D gasket.

The dial found on the ‘Road’ channels the retro-automobile feel found on other MB&F watches. The tuxedo colorway found on the dial is enhanced by the relatively simple luminous hands that display both the hours and minutes.

Brand: MB&F
Model: Horological Machine 9
Movement: 90.TL.RB
Case Diameter: 57 x 47 x 23 mm
Year: NA
Box & Papers: Full Set

This grade 5 Titanium MB&F Horological Machine HM9 – Flow Road forms part of the 33 piece limited edition originally introduced in 2018. The highly impressive three-piece case could easily be mistaken for an objet d’art. The HM9 draws inspiration from several of MB&F’s other mind boggling creations, namely, the Legacy Machine 2 which was thought to have been inspired by Philippe Dufour’s Duality circa 1996.