Looking at Maximilian Büsser’s life and brilliant career to date, it becomes crystal clear that MB&F was a natural progression for his innate entrepreneurial spirit. It was back in 2005 that the desire to allow his creativity and energy surge to the forefront, saw Max resign from Harry Winston to form his creative ideal: MB&F.
We are delighted to bring your an exclusive insight into how the business is performing, what Max is currently working on, what he thinks about the watch industry – good and bad – and what the future looks like for the company.
MWM: How is business?
MB: Incredibly good – which is totally counter-intuitive to what is happening in the watch world. Since 2013, when we decided to stop growing, sell-out has constantly been higher than our production. We needed to take a few drastic measures to make up for that and have closed 15 of our 41 retailers in the last two years, just so that our remaining retailers can at least partially respond to the high demand.
MWM: What are you currently working on?
MB: So much that I actually have a few problems focusing. We have 6 new MB&F calibers in the pipeline, many co-creations, a few Performance Art pieces, a dozen new artists for the M.A.D. Galleries…and we’re even working on a new brand (now that is truly unreasonable, but so much fun!).
MWM: Tell us something we don’t know about MB&F?
MB: That the fact that I have no idea where the brand is going, makes me extremely happy. It’s very much like psychotherapy!
MWM: What watch do you wear?
MB: I’m wearing our Legacy Machine Perpetual in white gold as we speak. The story of Stephen McDonnell, the genius watchmaker who created it, and the many revolutions this movement has brought to the world of watchmaking are topped up by the fact that it is just so beautiful…
MWM: Apart from your own brand, what watch would you like to own?
MB: I’m very lucky that I can own one creation of virtually every watchmaker I have had the privilege to work with. Voutilainen, Sarpaneva, Speake-Marin, Urwerk, Silberstein, etc…and every time I look at their piece, I remember the great times working together on wonderful projects. Am missing amongst others an F.P. Journe – would love a black dial platinum tourbillon!
MWM: What do you like best about the Watch business?
MB: That the creative potential is limitless, except the engineering of course, and it allows me to work with extraordinary and passionate artisans.
MWM: What don’t you like about the Watch business?
MB: That most of the industry is losing touch with real artisanship and not taking enough creative risks.
MWM: What is next on the horizon for you?
MB: Constantly getting out of my creative comfort zone.
About Maximilian Büsser
Graduating in Lausanne with a Master’s degree in Micro-Technology Engineering, Max’s love for high-end horology was strongly imprinted by his first employer, Jaeger-LeCoultre. He spent seven years in their senior management team during an exciting period of change and growth.
Max was appointed managing director of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces in 1998 – he was just 31. During his seven years there he transformed the company into a well-respected haute horlogerie brand. Working with talented independent watchmakers on the innovative and revolutionary Opus series of timepieces gave him greatest satisfaction and planted the seed for developing that concept further still.
In 2005 the desire to allow his creativity and energy full reign saw Max resign from Harry Winston to form his creative ideal: MB&F. With his new company, Maximilian Büsser has full creative liberty to indulge in his passion for working with the most talented independent horological professionals – pushing the limits of horology into a new dimension.
Max is also a Friend of MrWatchMaster.