The MB&F Legacy Machine 101 series was first launched in 2014. As suggested by its ‘101’ name, it focuses on the essentials of a mechanical wristwatch, contained in one of MB&F’s most compact Machines with a case diameter of 40 mm. At the time, the LM101 movement was also the first entirely conceived by MB&F’s in-house engineering team. In 2021, the LM101 series evolves with technically and aesthetically upgraded versions distinguished by colorful dial plates, including a stainless steel version.

Visually, LM101 is dominated by the monumental suspended balance wheel, its sedate oscillations drawing the eye ever closer. Two pristine-white subdials hover just above the fine sunray-engraved movement top plate. At the top right, highly legible hours and minutes are displayed by beautiful blued-gold hands contrasting against the immaculate white, while the 45-hour power reserve indicator is displayed in a smaller, but similar subdial below.

LM101 was first launched in 18k red or white gold, then in two limited ‘Frost’ editions with frosted finishing —18 and 33 pieces—, followed by limited editions of 33 pieces in platinum 950 and 18 pieces in palladium. The 2021 upgraded versions are available in 18k white gold with a purple dial plate, 18k 5N+ red gold with a royal blue dial plate, and stainless steel with a light blue dial.

With a case diameter of 40mm, the LM101 is also MB&F’s most elegant Legacy Machine to date. These new 101 editions focus even more on the essentials: The previous larger bezel and “Legacy Machine” engraving on the dial withdraw to highlight the time and power reserve, indicated on slightly larger subdials; the star of the show, the flying balance wheel, inherits the amazing double hairspring supplied by their Friends H. Moser & Cie.; and last but not least, the finishing of the LM101 movement, at the time MB&F’s first calibre conceived in-house with the help of long-time Friend Kari Voutilainen, has been modified with a contrasting dark NAC finish.