A little bit over a month ago, we brought you the news about the release of the new MB&F HM8 Can-Am. Since we know how much you guys like to read about MB&F timepieces here on WCL, we decided to finally post our hands-on review of this impressive timepiece. Over the last decade, MB&F’s has revisited the 1970s Amida watch twice; first manifested in the Horological Machine No. 5 HM5 we reviewed here and then on the HMX we featured here; well, the new MB&F Horological Machine N°8 HM8 Can-Am designed by Eric Giroud and conceptualized by Max Büsser, takes its inspiration from the cues of those three iconic MB&F Horological Machines and infuses them with high-octane Can-Am car racing inspired design to give birth to a flawlessly executed timepiece like no other.

The Case & Dial

While all MB&F timepieces have a very unique look and special case construction, the new MB&F HM8 Can-Am goes a step further by adding roll bars to the top of the case. Taking its inspiration from the Canadian-American Challenge Cup —Can-Am—, a sports car racing series that took place between 1966 and 1987, the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 8 HM8 Can-Am features a curvaceous yet angular case, with dual optical prisms vertically displaying bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, while the distinctive battle-axe winding rotor is visible on top.

But the real cherry on top of the cake are the mirror polished "roll bars" that extend from the front of the watch towards the back. Available in 18K red gold or 18K white gold with a case measuring 49 mm x 51.5 mm x 19 mm, the roll bars are milled from solid blocks of grade 5 titanium and then meticulously hand-polished to gleam like tubular mirrors.

The Movement

The beating heart powering the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 8 HM8 Can-Am sits in full view under a nearly invisible sapphire crystal engine cover. Powered by an in-house developed bi-directional jumping hour and trailing minute indication module, on a Girard-Perregaux base movement. The 247-component movement is inverted to put the 22K blued gold winding rotor on top and modified to drive the prism indicator module. The finishing of the movement is exceptional with a complete open to view from the top. The movement is equipped with 30 jewels and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of 42 hours. The bi-directional jumping hour and trailing minute displays on HM8 are materialized by overlapping discs —one for the hours and one for the minutes—, completely covered in superluminova.

On the Wrist & Pricing

To round out the incredible look of the new MB&F HM8 Can-Am, the watch is fitted with a hand-stitched alligator strap in marine blue for the 18K white gold model and in dark brown for the 18K red gold version, both equipped with the traditional MB&F folding buckle in matching case material. On the wrist, the new MB&F Horological Machine No. 8 HM8 Can-Am wears slightly big and clunky but with the utmost impressive wrist presence. One of our favorite MB&Fs of all time.

Sticker Price $82,000 USD. For more info on MB&F click here.