The
MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Blue is a stunning timepiece that captures the essence of high-performance automobiles in a luxurious wristwatch. This is the latest creation in a lineage of MB&F watches inspired by the world of cars, a design concept that stems from the childhood dreams of MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser.
Büsser dreamt of becoming a car designer from a young age. Though his path ultimately led him to watchmaking, his passion for cars never faded. This passion fueled the creation of a series of MB&F Machines, all inspired by iconic sports cars. The HM5 captured the design of 1970s supercars, the HMX paid homage to classic car design with a nod to MB&F’s 10th anniversary, and the HM8 “Can-Am” celebrated the visually striking Can-Am racing cars. The HM8 Mark 2 Blue builds on these predecessors, combining the best elements of past designs with innovative features and a breathtaking new look.
Courtesy of MB&F
The HM8 Mark 2 Blue is more than just a timepiece – it’s a testament to the transformative power of dreams. Büsser’s childhood fascination with cars fueled his creativity and laid the groundwork for this exceptional watch.
The HM8 Mark 2 Blue boasts a unique design that draws clear parallels to the world of sports cars. The watch features a lightweight chassis made from Grade 5 titanium, similar to the chassis of a high-performance car. The body panels are crafted from CarbonMacrolon®, a composite material developed specifically for MB&F. It is eight times lighter than steel, making it incredibly versatile for watch design. The CarbonMacrolon® body panels of the HM8 Mark 2 Blue come in a glossy, iridescent sapphire blue reminiscent of metallic car paint, achieved through the use of metallic pigments. This captivating blue is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also technically replicates the look of a high-end car paint job.
Courtesy of MB&F
The time display on the HM8 Mark 2 Blue is another nod to car design. Like a speedometer on a car’s dashboard, the time indicators are displayed laterally on the side of the case. This unique feature allows the wearer to check the time quickly and easily, just like glancing at the speedometer while driving. To achieve this lateral display, MB&F utilizes sophisticated engineering techniques. The watch’s automatic movement’s hour and minute discs are positioned horizontally, and then optically magnified and projected 90 degrees to a vertical display through high-precision prisms made from sapphire crystal.
The HM8 Mark 2 Blue is a perfect illustration of how MB&F seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with imaginative design. This remarkable timepiece is not only a tribute to Büsser’s childhood dream, but it is also a celebration of innovation and automotive inspiration in the world of haute horology.
Powering this automotive-inspired marvel is an automatic winding movement with a 22K gold rotor in the iconic battle-ax shape that has become synonymous with MB&F. The intricate interplay of this rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal display back, is a captivating sight. What's more, the movement is based on a
Girard-Perregaux calibre, ensuring reliability and performance worthy of the HM8 Mark 2 Blue's pedigree. This combination of MB&F's visionary design and a reputable movement delivers performance that's just as impressive as the watch's aesthetics.
Courtesy of MB&F
Like a precision-built sports car, the HM8 Mark 2 Blue employs high-performance materials. Its lightweight chassis is built from Grade 5 titanium, prized for its strength and corrosion resistance, making it an excellent choice for a timepiece that prioritizes both durability and style. It's a material you'd find in the critical components of a finely-tuned machine.
The case also features the innovative CarbonMacrolon® material developed specifically for MB&F. This composite material is known for its exceptional strength, rigidity, and lightweight qualities. Its versatile nature allows MB&F to craft the HM8 Mark 2 Blue's body panels in a stunning sapphire blue finish, achieved by incorporating metallic pigments into a translucent resin. The process is meticulous, requiring precision in mixing time, temperature, and duration to achieve the perfect depth and sparkle.
Courtesy of MB&F
The HM8 Mark 2 Blue's visual impact relies heavily on its extensive use of sapphire crystal. Let's be honest, anyone can put a sapphire lens over a watch dial, but MB&F takes the use of sapphire to a whole different level. Not only does this watch feature a sapphire crystal on the front and back to showcase the movement, but it also boasts what MB&F calls a "double bubble" sapphire crystal. These curved crystals, a marvel of engineering, act as a sort of optical "periscope" for the time display. The process of creating these curved sapphires is incredibly complex and costly. The risk of breakage during production is high, making each completed sapphire component a testament to craftsmanship and determination.
The HM8 Mark 2 Blue isn't just about aesthetics; it delivers functionality as well. The unique lateral time display, inspired by a car's dashboard, prioritizes legibility for the wearer. A quick glance is all it takes to check the time, ensuring practicality even amidst the watch's unconventional design. And while the case might look large, with dimensions of 47 x 41.5 x 19 mm, the HM8 Mark 2 Blue has been carefully designed to offer a comfortable fit on the wrist. This blend of visual flair with practical legibility underscores MB&F's dedication to not only pushing boundaries of design, but ensuring the wearer's experience remains paramount.
Hidden from plain sight, the HM8 Mark 2 Blue boasts an innovative winding crown. Pushing the crown in and turning it three-quarters of a turn releases a "double de-clutch" mechanism, offering both space-saving design and added security for a sports-inspired watch like this. It's the kind of clever technical detail that often goes unnoticed but reflects the meticulous thought MB&F puts into every aspect of their creations.
Courtesy of MB&F
With only 33 pieces available in the sapphire blue variant, the MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Blue is a wrist-worn symbol of exclusivity. This limited production run caters to true collectors seeking a timepiece that stands out not only for its looks, but for its lineage and the story it tells. To wear the HM8 Mark 2 Blue is to signify an appreciation for audacity, innovation, and the enduring appeal of automotive-inspired design.
The MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Blue is more than a watch; it's the physical manifestation of childhood dreams transformed into a work of horological art. Every element, from its movement to its striking blue finish, is a testament to MB&F's commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking through inspiration drawn from the captivating automotive world. This watch isn't just about telling time – it's about defying conventions and reminding us that passion and dedication can lead to the creation of something truly extraordinary.