A New Sapphire Vision For MB&F: Horological Machine N°9 aka HM9-SV

A New Sapphire Vision For MB&F: Horological Machine N°9 aka HM9-SV

First seen in 2018, MB&F’s Horological Machine N°9 – nicknamed HM9 ‘Flow’ – was a tribute to the extraordinary automotive and aeronautic designs of the 1940s and 50s.

The latest iteration of HM9 is the ‘Sapphire Vison’ – with an outer hull of sapphire crystal and precious metal, curved and bubbled, fitted together in three parts, sealed with a proprietary combination of patented three-dimensional gasket and high-tech compound bonding process. 

Two fully independent cantilevered balances channel data into a differential that turns two heartbeats into one coherent time-pulse. Ultra-precise conical gears efficiently turn the engine’s energy and information current through a 90° angle to feed the time display on a sapphire crystal dial, marked with Super-LumiNova.

On the reverse, co-axial beneath each of the balances are propellers: twin turbines that spin freely as an element of pure visual interest, waiting for someone to begin a new type of exploration. HM9-SV takes us to the depths of the ocean.

“The most beautiful movement we’ve created to date.”

Maximilian Büsser, Founder, MB&F (describing the engine inside HM9) 

In order to seal the sapphire crystal exterior components into one watertight case, new solutions had to be created. A patented three-dimensional rubber gasket was already used in the original HM9 Flow to ensure water resistance when the tripartite case was bolted together. 

HM9-SV – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

HM9 Sapphire Vision comes in four editions, each limited to only five pieces:

Two editions with 18K 5N+ red gold frame, combined with a NAC-coated black or PVD-coated blue engine;

Two editions with 18K white gold frame, featuring a PVD-coated purple or red gold-plated engine.

Engine

Manual-winding in-house movement
Two fully independent balance wheels with planetary differential
Frequency: 2.5Hz (18,000bph)
Single barrel with 45-hour power reserve
301 components, 52 jewels
Hours and minutes on vertical dial display
Dual spherical turbines under the movement
Shock-absorbing helicoidal springs linking the movement to the case

Case

‘SV’ editions in sapphire crystal with frame in 18K white or red gold (5N+).
Hour/minute dial in sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment and Super-LumiNova on the numbers and indexes.
Dimensions: 57mm x 47mm x 23mm
52 components
Water resistant to 3ATM (30m)
Unique assembly process of the three sapphire crystal case parts with a patented three-dimensional gasket and high-tech bonding compound.

Sapphire crystals

Total of five sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating: three crystals for the main components of the case, one crystal covering the dial, and one crystal for the dial itself.

Strap and buckle

Hand-stitched brown or black alligator strap with red or white gold folding buckle matching the case.

For more information please visit https://www.mbandf.com/en

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