Admiring one of these timepieces in person is what we consider a true horological experience. The adrenaline rush we experienced while taking these pictures was just something we only feel when we are in the presence of true horological masterpieces and all we can say is that the new MB&F Legacy Machines are wondrous reinterpretations of significant horological inventions by the greatest watchmakers in history.
This exceptional timepiece is only available in 18K white gold with dark grey dial, 18K rose gold with silver dial or in a limited edition of 18 pieces in 950 platinum with blue dial. Now, remember that this majestic timepiece is best admired from the side thanks to its marvelous and beautiful high domed crystal, so honestly the color of the movement base plate that conforms the dial, is like a cherry on top of a delicious birthday cake.
The Legacy Machine No. 2 is a timepiece tracing its lineage back over 250 years to three of the greatest watchmakers who ever lived: Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747– 1823), Ferdinand Berthoud (1727– 1807) and Antide Janvier (1751– 1835). These horological legends of the 18th century are united not only by their inventive genius, but also by the fact that they have all constructed clocks and watches with two balances. Two and a half centuries after three of the world's greatest watchmakers put two balance wheels into their movements, MB&F celebrates their pioneering works by creating the Legacy Machine No.2 —LM2—, a timepiece with two balances hovering outside the movement. Oscillating on high, the exalted double balance wheels of LM2 were inspired by one of the rarest mechanisms in the history of watchmaking: the dual regulator. And rarer still, the average rates of Legacy Machine No.2's dual regulators are transmitted by a differential to a single gear train, where the majority had two separate movements. The Legacy Machine No. 2's dual flying balances are suspended high above the dial from four gracefully arcing arms. Fitted with a robust and perfectly sized case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 20 mm in thickness, the Legacy Machine No. 2 is just stunning. With a beautiful crown located at what would be the 2 o'clock position, the watch is immaculately finished with a satin-brushed finish.
On display under a highly domed sapphire crystal cupola with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, the dial of Legacy Machine No. 2 is an object lesson in symmetrical simplicity. Top to bottom: the white stretched lacquer sub dial at 12 o'clock, with its blued gold hour and minute hands, is visually balanced by the large, raised differential at 6 o'clock. Left to right: the two flying balances and their escapements are identical mirror images, right down to the position of the stud holders pinning their balance springs.
While the levitated oscillating balance wheels of the binary regulators catch and hold the viewer's gaze, it is the large planetary differential sitting proud of the dial that is the real heart of Legacy Machine No. 2. In an incredible feat of micro-engineering − and the sheer paucity of timepieces with multiple regulators connected via a differential attests to the enormous difficulty in creating such a complex high-precision mechanism.
Immaculate Geneva waves, gold chatons, mirror-polished bevels and bridges designed with deliberate internal beveled angles showcase the movement's peerless fine finishing. Consistent with MB&F's spirit of transparency, the names of the two men responsible for the movement —Jean-François Mojon and Kari Voutilainen— are hand engraved on the back. The manual wound three-dimensional calibre is composed of 241 parts, 44 jewels, a planetary differential comprising 3 gears and 5 pinions, two bespoke 11 mm balance wheels with four traditional regulating screws floating above the movement and dials and a Breguet balance spring and when fully wound, it provides a power reserve of 45 hours while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
To round out the elegance and exceptional look of this amazing timepiece, MB&F chose to fit the watch with a very elegant matte hand-stitched black or brown alligator strap with 18k gold pin buckle to match case. The strap is somewhat stiff at first, but one that will become extremely comfortable for sure.
On the wrist the watch wears true to its size and extremely comfortably. Now, the only downside would be that you cannot tuck it under the cuff of your shirt, but to be frank, who would want to do this when wearing an horological masterpiece like this. If you like owning the best of the best, and you have some spare cash laying around, this MB&F Legacy Machine No. 2 needs to be on your wrist, now.
Sticker Price $156,000 USD 18K White Gold or 18K Rose Gold. $190,000 USD Platinum. For more info on MB&F click here.
