MB&F Legacy Machine Longhorn 20th Anniversary

MB&F is dropping a horological bombshell on us, and it's coming in the form of not one, but two limited edition "Longhorns" to kick off their 20th Anniversary celebration! We're talking about the LM Perpetual Longhorn and the LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn, each a masterpiece in its own right, and each limited to just 20 pieces. Let's dive into this horological party.



Picture this: the year is 2005. Maximilian Büsser, fresh off his stint as Managing Director at Harry Winston, decides to shake things up in the watch world. He rounds up a posse of his most talented watchmaking buddies, and boom – MB&F is born. It's like the Avengers of horology, but instead of saving the world, they're blowing our minds with out-of-this-world watch designs.



Fast forward 20 years, and MB&F isn't just a brand; it's a phenomenon. With over 60 team members and more than 20 groundbreaking calibers, they've redefined what a watch can be. Max Büsser himself puts it best: "It is like a dream come true, only I never dreamt it. I could never have even imagined we would be where we are today back then; it is surreal."



Now, let's talk about these "Longhorns." The idea first sprouted back in 2009 during the design phase of the LM1, MB&F's inaugural Legacy Machine. The concept of elongated lugs, or "horns," was visually striking but posed a practical dilemma: where to place the spring bar for the strap? Too close to the case or too far out, and you'd have a fit issue, depending on wrist size. So, the long horns were shelved in favor of short ones.



But hold that thought. In 2021, for the LM1's 10th anniversary, a single LM1 prototype remained. To make it extra special, the long horn idea resurfaced, this time with a twist – two sets of holes drilled into the lugs, allowing the owner to choose the strap position. Genius, right? This unique piece, crafted in stainless steel with glossy black dials (a nightmare to make, by the way, because every speck of dust is the enemy), was auctioned off by Phillips, with proceeds going to Save the Rhino International. The buzz around this watch was so intense that MB&F had to ask themselves, "Should the long horns and this striking black-and-silver theme make a comeback?"



The answer, obviously, was a resounding yes. And here we are, celebrating MB&F's 20th with two limited editions that embody the Longhorn spirit.



Fir the LM Perpetual Longhorn houses MB&F's award-winning perpetual calendar, a movement so smart it puts most of us to shame. Developed with the legendary Stephen McDonnell, this 581-component marvel sidesteps all the usual headaches of perpetual calendars. No more skipping dates or jamming gears. Plus, the pushers know when to take a break during date changes. This anniversary edition gets the Longhorn treatment with a slick black, silver, and blue color scheme that's just jaw-dropping.



Visually, the LM Perpetual Longhorn is a feast for the eyes. The stainless steel case, measuring 44mm across and 17.5mm thick, frames the intricate dial perfectly. The long, elegant lugs add a touch of vintage flair, while the glossy black lacquer sub-dials provide a stark, modern contrast against the rhodium-plated base plate. The blued hands glide over the dial, pointing to the various indicators: hours and minutes at 12 o'clock, day at 3, power reserve at 4, month at 6, retrograde leap year at 7, and date at 9. It's a symphony of design and functionality. The skeletonized subdials seem to float ethereally above the movement, unencumbered by any visible attachments. This seemingly magical effect is achieved through the use of hidden studs, a clever workaround that circumvents the obstruction that would typically be caused by the grand levier in traditional perpetual calendar mechanisms. The large balance wheel, a hallmark of the Legacy Machine series, dominates the upper half of the dial, its rhythmic oscillations mesmerizing to watch.



Then there's the LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn. If the Perpetual is a brainy professor, the Sequential is a high-octane race car driver. Originally launched in 2022 as MB&F's first-ever chronograph, it's packed with more tech than a Silicon Valley startup. The "Twinverter" switch lets you juggle between independent timing, split-second, cumulative, and lap-timer modes. And now, with the flyback function, it's ready to take to the skies. This Longhorn version, with its blued hands and black sub-dials, is like the cool, mysterious pilot you always wanted to be.



The LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn shares the same case dimensions as its Perpetual sibling but with a slightly increased thickness of 18.2mm to accommodate the chronograph movement. The dial layout is a marvel of complexity, featuring two separate chronograph displays on either side of the central time display. The left chronograph, with its seconds at 9 o'clock and minutes at 11, is mirrored by the right chronograph, with seconds at 3 and minutes at 1. The Twinverter pusher at 9 o'clock allows for instantaneous switching between the various timing modes, a feature that sets this watch apart from any other chronograph on the market. The power reserve indicator is discreetly placed on the back of the movement, visible through the sapphire case back. The large balance wheel, suspended above the movement, pulsates rhythmically, creating a captivating visual spectacle that is both mesmerizing and reassuring in its precision.



Max Büsser is quick to point out that you can't talk about MB&F without mentioning Stephen McDonnell. This Northern Irish watchmaker has been with MB&F from the early days, playing a crucial role in the development of the HM1 and later creating the LM Perpetual and Sequential. Starting the 20th-anniversary celebrations with McDonnell's calibers is a fitting tribute to a friendship and collaboration that has shaped MB&F's journey.



Launched in 2015, the LM Perpetual has seen iterations in various precious metals, but this Longhorn edition brings something new to the table. McDonnell's "mechanical processor" is the star here, using a 28-day default month and adding days as needed, ensuring each month has the correct number of days without any skipping. The quickset pusher for the leap year is another thoughtful touch, a far cry from the tedious scrolling through months on traditional perpetual calendars.



The dial is a visual treat, with sub-dials that seem to float over the movement, thanks to hidden studs – a clever workaround since traditional mechanisms would block the movement of the grand levier. The layout is intuitive: hours and minutes at 12 o'clock, day at 3, power reserve at 4, month at 6, retrograde leap year at 7, and date at 9. It's a harmonious blend of form and function, recognized by the GPHG's Best Calendar Watch Prize in 2016.



The LM Sequential Flyback is a different beast altogether. It's not just a chronograph; it's two independent chronographs in one movement, both linked to a common escapement and oscillator. This setup could have been an energy-guzzling nightmare, but thanks to innovative jeweled vertical clutches and flyback mechanisms, it outperforms conventional chronographs in efficiency and precision.



MB&F isn't just about watches; it's about pushing boundaries and creating mechanical art. The M.A.D.Galleries and Labs are proof of this, showcasing MB&F's creations alongside other forms of mechanical artistry. It's a celebration of creativity and innovation, a testament to Büsser's vision of bringing together talented individuals to create something extraordinary.



Each of these Longhorn editions, the LM Perpetual Longhorn and the LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn, will set you back CHF 168,000 plus VAT. With only 20 pieces available for each model, they're as rare as they are remarkable. These watches aren't just time-telling devices; they're conversation starters, pieces of art, and a testament to the incredible journey of MB&F over the past two decades.



MB&F LM Perpetual Longhorn



Case: Stainless steel. Dimensions 44 mm x 17.5 mm. 69 components. Water resistant to 30 m / 90' / 3 ATM. Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces. Long horn lugs.

Movement: Fully integrated perpetual calendar developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell. Manual winding with double mainspring barrels. Bespoke 14 mm balance wheel. Power reserve of 72 hours. Balance frequency 2.5Hz (18,000vph). 581 components, 41 jewels.

Dial: Black lacquered sub dials. Hours, minutes, day, date, month, retrograde leap year and power reserve indicators. Blued hands.

Strap: Calf leather strap with stainless steel folding buckle.

Price: CHF 168,000 + VAT

Notes: 20th Anniversary Limited Edition of 20 pieces. Features a mechanical processor system architecture with inbuilt safety mechanism.





MB&F LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn



Case: Stainless steel. Dimensions 44mm x 18.2mm. 88 components. Water resistance 30m / 3ATM / 90 feet. Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces. Long horn lugs.

Movement: Fully integrated dual chronograph flyback system developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell. Manual winding with double mainspring. Flying balance wheel with regulating screws. Power reserve 72 hours. Balance frequency 3Hz (21,600 vph). 619 components, 63 jewels.

Dial: Black lacquered inclined dial & black sub dials. Time display (hours/minutes) at 6 o’clock. Left chronograph: seconds displayed at 9 o’clock and minutes at 11 o’clock; start/stop pusher at 10 o’clock and reset/flyback at 8 o’clock. Right chronograph: seconds displayed at 3 o’clock and minutes at 1 o’clock; start/stop pusher at 2 o’clock and reset/flyback at 4 o’clock. Twinverter pusher at 9 o’clock. Blued hands.

Strap: Calf leather strap with stainless steel folding buckle.

Price: CHF 168,000 + VAT

Notes: 20th Anniversary Limited Edition of 20 pieces. Features Twinverter switch allowing multiple timing modes. Both chronographs are equipped with a flyback.