MB&F’s Legacy Machine FlyingT, first launched in 2019, is the first example of three-dimensional horological art pieces inspired by women.
A round case in gold or platinum, with a steeply cambered bezel and slender, elongated lugs, often fully set with diamonds. A high, extravagantly convex dome of sapphire crystal rises from the bezel. Beneath the dome, a subtly curved dial plate in various finishes: liquidly black with layers of stretched lacquer, guilloché, vibrant gemstones or glittering with blazing white diamonds.
An asymmetric ventricular opening in the dial plate frames the heart of the LM FlyingT engine – a cinematic flying tourbillon that beats at a serene rate of 2.5Hz (18,000vph). The tourbillon projects high above the rest of the engine, a kinetic, dynamic column that stops just short of the apex of the sapphire crystal dome. At the 7 o’clock position – another reference to the numeric theme that runs throughout LM FlyingT – is a dial of black or white lacquer (or gemstone) that displays the hours and minutes with a pair of elegant serpentine hands.
On the reverse, the automatic winding rotor takes the shape of a three-dimensional red gold sun with sculpted rays, providing LM FlyingT with four days of power reserve.
“I wanted LM FlyingT to reflect the personality and qualities of the women of my family, particularly my mother. It had to combine supreme elegance with tremendous vitality. The column-like structure of the flying tourbillon was very important to me as I felt very strongly that women form the pillar of humanity. At the same time, there is another layer of meaning coming in from the sun-shaped rotor, which incorporates the element of life-giving, a source of sustenance which we gravitate towards and around.”
Maximilian Büsser, Founder, MB&F
The sophisticated LM FlyingT Onyx edition, featuring the deep black gemstone encased in an 18k yellow gold case. To bring out a different level of refinement for the feminine-inspired LM FlyingT, the Legacy Machine case was completely redesigned. Case height and diameter were reduced in order to shift the focus to the highly convex sapphire crystal dome. The lugs were slimmed down, their curves were emphasised, and deep bevels were introduced to create a more elegant profile.
The mechanical antecedents of Legacy Machine FlyingT lie mostly in the Horological Machine collection, namely with the HM6 series and HM7 Aquapod. In a departure from most modern watch movements, which take a radial and co-planar approach to movement construction, the LM FlyingT engine utilises a vertical and co-axial approach. An additional distinct challenge which arose in the construction of LM FlyingT was the shape of the upper tourbillon cage, which creates more mass on one side of the tourbillon than the other.
In order to display the time as precisely as possible on the 50° inclined dial, conical gears were employed to optimally transmit torque from one plane to another, a solution first used in HM6 and subsequently in HM9 Flow.
The 280-component engine of Legacy Machine FlyingT has a power reserve of four days (100 hours), which is among the highest within MB&F, a testament to the growth of in-house expertise and experience.
Retail price before taxes of the LM FlyingT Onyx is CHF 114,000/ USD 133,000/EUR 120,000 + VAT.
Technical Specifications:
LM FLYING T
Diamond-set editions in 18K white gold cases with dial plates in black lacquer, paved diamond-set, baguette diamond-set, lapis lazuli, malachite, and ‘Cœur de Rubis’ (anyolite);
18K red gold and platinum limited editions with guilloché dial plates;
Diamond-set edition in 18K yellow gold case with dial plate in tiger eye;
18K yellow gold case with dial plate in onyx.
Engine
Three-dimensional vertical architecture, automatic winding, conceived and developed in-house by MB&F
Central flying 60-second tourbillon
Power reserve: 100 hours
Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
Three-dimensional sun winding rotor in 18k 5N+ red gold, titanium and platinum
Number of components: 280
Number of jewels: 30
Functions/indications
Hours and minutes displayed on a 50° vertically titled dial with two serpentine hands
Two crowns: winding on left and time-setting on right
Case
Material: 18K white gold and diamonds, 18K red gold, platinum, 18K yellow gold with or without diamonds.
High domed sapphire crystal on top with anti-reflective coating on both sides, sapphire crystal on back.
Dimensions: 38.5 x 20mm
Number of components: 17
Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30m / 90’
Black Lacquer, lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger eye and Cœur de Rubis editions
168 diamonds (120 on the case, 21 on the buckle, 1 on top of the tourbillon cage and 26 for the crowns). About 1.7ct.
Paved diamond-set edition:
558 diamonds (390 on the dial, 120 on the case, 21 on the buckle, 1 on top of the tourbillon cage and 26 for the crowns). About 3.5 ct.
Baguette diamonds edition:
294-baguette diamonds and 3 stones (134-baguette diamonds on the dial, 124-baguette diamonds on the case, 12-baguette diamonds on the buckle, 24-baguette diamonds and 2 stones for the crowns, 1 stone on top of the tourbillon cage). About 8.2 ct.
Strap & buckle
Calf or alligator leather straps available with gold or platinum pin buckle matching the case.
For more information please visit MB&F