MB&F LMX Paris Edition

the legacy of a decade

We go waaaaay back with our good friend Laurent Picciotto, founder of the legendary Chronopassion boutique in Paris – in fact, all the way back to the very beginning. When Maximilian Büsser created MB&F in 2005, he needed the support of a few retailers who would accept to place orders for our very first Horological Machine No.1, two years in advance – and, more challenging, to pay 30% of those orders up front! Laurent – a true pioneer and ambassador of independent watchmaking – was one of just six retail partners who took this leap of faith.

Fast-forward 17 years later, to 2022, and Laurent opens one of our very first MB&F LABs in the world, on rue Saint-Honoré. To mark this exceptional friendship, we‘ve created a special edition together, available exclusively at the Parisian location: the LMX ‘Paris Edition’, with a purple sunray dial plate, in an 18k white gold case, limited to just 15 pieces. “If I were to give a name to the LMX Paris Edition, I would undoubtedly call it the ‘LMX Deep Purple’ in reference to the famous 1968 rock group – this piece is definitely rock ’n’ roll!”, says Laurent.

The original LMX celebrated 10 years of Legacy Machines; it was essentially a supercharged version of the first Legacy Machine, an LM1 on steroids. The LMX features the same signature flying balance wheel, along with two dials of stretched white lacquer, each with its own fully independent time display – but unlike the first Legacy Machines, both dials are tilted at an angle, requiring the transfer of energy from horizontal to vertical planes thanks to conical gears. In another nod to the world-first vertical power reserve indicator of LM1, LMX features a three-dimensional display that showcases the engine’s impressive seven days of power reserve – with the option to select between two modes. Two markers are positioned on opposite sides of a hemisphere; one framed by an arched scale numbered 1 to 7, another with a scale showing the 7 days of the week.

The LMX Paris Edition is available exclusively at Chronopassion in Paris. Retail price is EUR 122,000 before taxes (= EUR 146,400 including VAT).

In 2023, MB&F brings back a beautiful new edition of its LMX timepiece, featuring a stunning purple dial plate encased in a complementary white gold case. The LMX Paris Edition will be exclusively available at the Parisian MB&F LAB on Rue Saint-Honoré and limited to 15 pieces.

“If I were to give a name to the LMX Paris Edition, I would undoubtedly call it the ‘LMX Deep Purple’ in reference to the famous 1968 rock group – this piece is definitely rock ’n’ roll!”, says Laurent Picciotto, founder of Chronopassion and owner of the MB&F LAB in Paris.

Meet the “X”

In the MB&F universe, X has a special significance, based on the Roman numeral for 10. It signals a 10th anniversary, like the HM3 FrogX (2020) marking a decade of the totemic HM3, or HMX (2015), which headlined the 10th year of MB&F. But X is more than an ancient alternative to the Arabic numeral 10. In algebra, X is the unsolved variable; in cartography, X is the desired destination. X represents the indescribable, the unexplainable and the uncategorisable; it symbolises everything we do not know – yet.

Presenting LMX, celebrating 10 years of Legacy Machines

Back in October 2011, MB&F had just launched Legacy Machine N°1, the first creation of a new collection, alongside the existing Horological Machines; one creative lab, two interpretations of time-telling. LMX returns to the earliest encounter with the Legacy Machine collection, utilising the same expression comprising a central flying balance wheel and two dials, although everything else is different.

Two independent time zones on tilted dials

Those familiar with MB&F’s very first Legacy Machine will instinctively know how LMX operates. Two dials of stretched white lacquer, each with its own display of hours and minutes. The dial on the right is set by the crown at the 2 o’clock position, which bears an engraving of the MB&F battle-axe and also winds the movement. The crown at 10 o’clock, engraved with a globe to acknowledge the potential use of a second time zone, sets the time of the left dial. Unlike the first Legacy Machines however, both dials are tilted at an angle – a more complex feature present on the most recent Legacy Machines, requiring the transfer of energy from horizontal to vertical planes thanks to conical gears.

Apparent mechanics under a sapphire crystal dome

While the first few Legacy Machines took a selective approach to what was showcased between dial plate and sapphire crystal dome, later models such as LM Perpetual, LM FlyingT and LM Thunderdome were more open and demonstrative about their mechanical prowess. LMX follows this latter approach, revealing functional elements such as the battle-axe-shaped escapement bridge and gear-train components. Three large wheels are particularly visible: placed next to each winding crown, two are set in motion when setting the time on the corresponding time display, while the gear at 6 o’clock is the common seconds’ wheel.

Of particular note is the new bespoke balance wheel, a 13.4mm behemoth with inertia blocks that marks a departure from the more traditional screwed balances and offers greater accuracy to the watchmaker in regulating the heart of LMX. Other refinements include the polished arms of the straight bridges exposed on the dial plate, manually finished to impart a curved, or bercé, profile on their upper surfaces.

Hemispherical 7-day power reserve indicator

In another nod to the world-first vertical power reserve indicator of Legacy Machine No1, LMX builds on this slice of MB&F history, with a completely novel three-dimensional display that showcases the engine’s impressive seven days (168 hours) of power reserve. In this evolved display, there is the option to select between two modes of counting down the power reserve. Two markers are positioned on opposite sides of a hemisphere; one framed by an arched scale numbered 1 to 7, another with a scale showing the days of the week.

This complex and completely novel interplay of components is given an additional level of intricacy, by the rotation of the entire power-reserve display itself. This allows wearers to choose their preferred mode of power-reserve indication: by continuing to wind the battle-axe crown even after the power reserve is fully replenished, wearers can adjust the orientation of the indication in order to make the day-of-the-week or numeric scale more visible when LMX is on the wrist.

Symmetrical movement construction

Like a perfectly balanced X, the engine of LMX is deeply symmetrical – not only dial-side but also as observed through the sapphire case back, revealing the three barrels placed evenly around the centre, accentuated by the sunray pattern of the Côtes de Genève finishing. A treat for those who can read the language of watch movements, who can discern expert intent and refined purpose behind the placement of each component.

The X in LMX is more than just a symbol for symmetry, or another way to indicate the numeral 10. LMX is the crossroads where the first and second decades of the Legacy Machine Collection meet.

Four limited editions form the LMX collection:

– 18 pieces in 18K red gold with black NAC treatment on plates and bridges;

– 33 pieces in grade 5 titanium with green CVD treatment on plates and bridges;

– 33 “Steel & Brass” pieces in 316L stainless steel with a frosted face.

– And in 2023, a new limited variation of 15 pieces; the LMX Paris Edition, in white gold with a beautiful sunray purple dial.

LMX is available in four limited editions:

– 18 pieces in polished 18K 5N+ red gold with black NAC treatment on plates and bridges;

– 33 pieces in polished grade 5 titanium with green CVD treatment on plates and bridges;

– 33 “Steel & Brass” pieces in 316L stainless steel with frosted face;

– 15 pieces in polished 18K white gold with a purple sunray dial.