Legacy Machine 101
Overview
First launched in 2014, the Legacy Machine 101 series focuses on the essentials of a mechanical wristwatch, contained in one of MB&F’s most elegant Machines with a case diameter of 40mm: the time, the power reserve, and – the real star of the show, the obsession of any watchmaker, the heartbeat of any mechanical watch – the escapement and balance wheel. But in true MB&F fashion, an unconventional, 3-dimensional “flying” balance wheel, which has become the signature of the Legacy Machine collection.
In 2021, the series evolved with three new editions: white gold with purple dial, red gold with dark blue dial and – a rare occurrence at MB&F! – stainless steel, with a light blue dial. The new editions focus even more on the essentials of mechanical watchmaking: the previous larger bezel and “Legacy Machine” engraving on the dial withdraw to highlight the time and power reserve, indicated on slightly larger subdials, and the flying balance wheel inherits the amazing double hairspring supplied by H. Moser & Cie. Turning the LM101 over reveals the exquisitely hand-finished movement, conceived in-house with award-winning independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
What's so special about this machine?
A signature flying balance wheel, regulating the brand's first in-house caliber with award-winning independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, featuring superlative hand finishing throughout.
FIRST IN-HOUSE CALIBER
The LM101 features a caliber conceived and developed in-house by MB&F, with help from award-winning independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen for the aesthetics and finish specifications. The 2021 editions feature dark NAC finishing on the bridges.
2021 EDITIONS
The new 2021 editions, distinguished by colourful dial plates and a stainless steel edition, focus further on the essentials: the previous larger bezel and Legacy Machine engraving withdraw to highlight the time and power reserve, on slightly enlarged subdials.
FLYING BALANCE WHEEL
Icon of the Legacy Machines, the monumental 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws flies high above the movement and dials. The 2021 editions feature a ©Straumann double hairspring.
Machine in action
LM101: the essentials of a mechanical wristwatch.
THE MACHINE
While the movement of Legacy Machine 101 is superficially similar to that of Legacy Machine No.1, closer examination reveals that it is an entirely different calibre.
It is not merely a scaled down version of LM1's movement, but was specifically conceived and developed in-house by MB&F with the objective to fit in a 40mm case.
- Material: 18k red or white gold, platinum 950, palladium 950 and two frosted editions in 18k red gold and 18k yellow gold
- New 2021 editions in 18k white gold, 18k 5N+ red gold and stainless steel
- Dimensions: 40 x 16 mm
- Three-dimensional horological movement developed in-house by MB&F
- Design and finish specifications: Kari Voutilainen
- Manual winding with single mainspring barrel
- Bespoke 14mm flying balance wheel visible on top of the movement; Straumann® double hairspring for the 2021 editions
- 229 components (231 for the 2021 editions) / 23 jewels / 45h power reserve
- Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th century style. Frosted mainplate for the LM101 Frost editions and darkened NAC bridges for the 2021 editions.
- Hours, minutes and power reserve indicator.
Discover the models available for this collection
Inspiration
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. Two ‘Frost’ limited editions presented in 2015 provided additional contrast between these elements and the effervescent backdrop of their hand-finished frosted dial plates.
