When you combine the names MB&f, Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen in one project the result is simply out of this world. The new MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome is the first-ever collaboration between legends Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen and the birth of a totally new proprietary ‘TriAx’ tourbillon mechanism that features 3 axes revolving at different speeds and on different planes, in record-breaking 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. Additionally, the Legacy Machine Thunderdome offers the first-ever combination of Potter escapement, hemispherical balance, and helical hairspring.
Rising above a sea of blue guillochage is a rotating spherical mass of gears, pinions, and cages. Somehow, from this chaos of motion, the order is extracted. Time is indicated on a 58-degree vertically inclined dial of stretched lacquer, proving that even the wildest horological whirlwinds can be tamed into the logic of hours and minutes. MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser says, “One of the many things that makes me incredibly happy about this piece is that we got to bring together two people I adore in this industry; who are incredibly talented, have completely different styles and personalities, and have never had the chance to work with each other”.
Once taken, such chances can reshape entire landscapes. MB&F’s only directive to Eric Coudray initially was to “make the craziest, most cinematic three-axis tourbillon ever.” Having been given free rein to create, Coudray built something that was entirely new in his experience: a mechanism that goes beyond the tourbillon, the proprietary new MB&F ‘TriAx’. The new TriAx mechanism, as showcased in Legacy Machine Thunderdome, fulfills MB&F’s directive to Eric Coudray in spectacular fashion. The triple-axis rotating escapement has a stripped-down construction that transgresses both tradition and modern convention. Instead of the rational —and cumbersome— system that associates one cage with each rotational axis, the TriAx defies logic with a three-axis, two-cage configuration that allows for unprecedented visibility of the Thunderdome’s beating, whirling heart.
Eric Coudray started his professional watchmaking career restoring antique timepieces and then his name came to global prominence while he was working for Jaeger-LeCoultre, where he led prestigious projects such as the first modern minute repeater from the manufacture —housed in their iconic Reverso— and the development of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotoubillon, one of the world’s first multi-axis tourbillons, which was hailed a milestone of modern horology when it debuted in 2004.
His follow-up work on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon II incorporated a helical hairspring for improved chronometry. The watch was subsequently awarded the second prize at the 2009 Concours International de Chronométrie. His experience with this visually stunning mechanism brought him to independent watch brand Cabestan, where he further expanded his repertoire of multi-axis rotating escapements. Coudray is currently part of a specialist team at TEC Ebauches, a high-complication thinktank and movement supplier based in the Vallée de Joux.
Things to Know About the Watch
The ‘TriAx’ mechanism of the new MB&F LM Thunderdome uproots their most familiar notions of watchmaking escapements. Controlling the rate at which energy escapes from the barrel is the unusual Potter escapement, which utilizes a fixed escape wheel in place of the mobile escape wheels seen in virtually every type of modern rotating escapement. The fixed escape wheel of the Potter escapement —named after 19th-century watchmaker and inventor Albert H. Potter— allows for higher rotational speeds in such a mechanism.
Cased in platinum and in a special edition in tantalum for Asian retailer The Hour Glass, the new MB&F LM Thunderdome has a diameter of 44 mm and a thickness of 22.2 mm. The case composed of 20 parts features the dome sapphire crystal that MB&F has been utilizing in the Legacy Machines for a number of years now.
Integrating a fixed escape wheel within a tri-axial rotating mechanism is something that has never been done before, but LM Thunderdome achieves this, and for good reason. The high-speed rotation consumes energy voraciously, with the innermost structure completing one turn in 8 seconds, the intermediate cage rotating once every 12 seconds, and the outermost cage making one full rotation every 20 seconds.
An additional advantage of the Potter escapement is that it frees up more space for the balance and hairspring, allowing to better admire another completely novel development. The balance of the Legacy Machine Thunderdome takes a hemispherical form, wrapping around the helical hairspring for an unprecedented configuration of regulating organ in both modern and classical watchmaking.
Even for a seasoned watch connoisseur, deeply familiar with multi-axis tourbillons over the 15 years since this type of mechanism debuted on the horological scene, Legacy Machine Thunderdome is an eye-opener. Not only is it faster, its components whirring past at dizzying speeds —it is larger, thanks to the offset axis of the outermost cage that increases the overall displacement of the balance, and it is showcased like no other. The pronounced arch of the sapphire crystal dome allows Eric Coudray’s opus to sit fully above the dial plate, visible from all sides. As difficult as it may be to tear your eyes from the dial-side spectacle, the reverse of the new MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome movement is equally rewarding.
The Movement
The manual-winding, triple-barrel movement may have been technically conceived by Eric Coudray, but its aesthetics are fully Kari Voutilainen. Countless sessions passed between the two watchmakers until the untrammeled dynamism of Coudray’s engine design took on classically elegant forms. Smoothly rounded bridges, incorporating sharp hand-beveled internal angles and mirrored curves suggest a deep, unyielding calm that anchors the turbulent maelstrom on the other side.
For the first time in an MB&F creation, Kari Voutilainen has applied his proprietary style of finish onto the ratchet wheels. This technique imparts a serpentine shimmer to the circular surface, catching the light in sigmoid waves. This technique is a closely guarded secret in the Voutilainen workshops, requiring years of experience and special tools to execute. Additionally, the movement features a power reserve indicator on the back.
This manual wound movement features a regulating mechanism featuring 3 fast rotation axes revolving at different speeds and on different planes. The rotation speeds of the axes starting from the center are respectively 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. The combined weight of the multi-axis mechanism is nearly 1 gram. The movement features three winding mainspring barrels, a bespoke hemispherical 10 mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws and helical hairspring, visible on top of the movement. Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; beveled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings. This movement composed of 413 parts and 63 jewels provides a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. And of course, the movement is signed by both Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome true to its size and relatively high on the wrist. The blue guilloché dial is stunning and the ‘TriAx’ tourbillon is simply out of this world and totally mesmerizing. The LM Thunderdome is available in a limited edition of 33 pieces in platinum and 10 pieces in tantalum commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Asia-Pacific retailer The Hour Glass. Five of the ten pieces feature a dark blue guilloché dial and five pieces with an inlaid aventurine dial.
Sticker Price $280,000 USD —for platinum edition. Pricing for The Hour Glass Edition will be set locally by them in their own currencies. For more info on MB&F click here.
