Horological Machine N°6
Overview
With its biomorphic curves, animated spheres, 'winking' eye and beating heart, HM6 is our most organic machine to date.
In each of the four corners of HM6’s biomorphic case is a 360° sphere, capped top and bottom by transparent sapphire crystal domes. Up forward, two spheres rotate vertically respectively displaying hours and minutes. Back aft, the twin spherical turbines spin, regulating the automatic winding system to reduce stress and wear.
The transparent cupola on top houses a flying tourbillon and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the sophisticated engine inside. The sapphire crystal display portal on the back reveals more of the 475 finely finished components making up the highly complex movement, which required over three years of development. The sapphire crystal plates of the HM6-SV and Alien Nation editions offer even more comprehensive views − top and bottom − to the movement within.
What's so special about this machine?
A 60-second flying tourbillon, a retractable shield and dual spherical turbines offer your the easiest and most sophisticated vessel to wear on your wrist.
Machine in action
The initial sparks of inspiration for HM6 came from a 1970s and 1980s Japanese anime TV series called Capitaine Flam, featuring the eponymous captain and his improbably bulbous spaceship. The Sapphire Vision edition of HM6 took graphic elements from a travel icon of the 1950s and 1960s, American Greyhound buses of the so-called Streamline era, with their lateral grooves and bright metal sidings.
THE MACHINE
Central to the design and construction of HM6 is the flying tourbillon, protected by a retractable shield and evocative of the sharply controlled chaos at the heart of our universe. Now that things are coming to a close for HM6, the sapphire crystal dome above the flying tourbillon takes a page from the show-all playbook of HM6 Alien Nation and expands its dimensions in order to more fully expose the beating regulator in its revolving cage.
Horological Machine N°6 Final Edition completes the cosmic circle begun by HM6 Space Pirate, a supernova finish to a series that belongs in the stars.
- HM6 Ti: Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium
- HM6 RT: 18K 5N+ red gold and Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) titanium
- HM6-SV: Sandwich construction of two transparent sapphire crystal plates on either side of a central precious metal case band, in 18K 5N+ red gold or platinum 950.
- HM6 Alien Nation: sapphire crystal with white gold aliens and 4 different gasket colours.
- HM6 FE: Stainless steel.
- Three-dimensional horological engine developed exclusively for HM6 by MB&F with David Candaux
- Flying Tourbillon with retractable shield and twin aluminium turbines driven by winding rotor
- Power reserve: 72h
- 475 components / 68 jewels (Alien Nation 496 components / 68 jewels) / 72h power reserve
- 10 sapphire crystals: 9 domed (4 for the hour and minute indications, 4 for the turbines, 1 for the tourbillon) and one flat (display back); 2 additional sapphire crystal plates for the SV and Alien Nation editions; and additional case band in sapphire crystal for the Alien Nation.
- Hours and minutes on separate semi-spherical aluminium indications
- Crown to open/close tourbillon shield
Inspiration
The inspiration for HM6 came from a Japanese anime TV series from the 1970s and 80s: Capitaine Flam (Captain Future in English). Capitaine Flam’s spaceship was called the Comet and consisted of two spheres joined by a connecting tube. Put two such craft together and the seeds of Space Pirate were planted.
The curved lines of HM6 make it a softer, more organically shaped Machine than its predecessors. The inspiration for this came from the biomorphism art movement, which takes its cues from design elements based on the shapes of living organisms.
For the HM6-SV editions, the metal case band is distinguished by horizontal lines reminiscent of the American Greyhound “Streamliner” buses of the 1950s and '60s, which grew out of a late Art Deco style known as Streamline Moderne.
