MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Onyx

Legacy Machine FlyingT: The First Female Incarnation

Analyzing even the most audacious life paths reveals patterns and cycles. This fundamental truth, inherent in all existence, individual or collective, is perfectly illustrated in the journey of Maximilian Büsser and MB&F. For them, creative energy follows septennial cycles. The seventh year of MB&F’s existence marked the emergence of the Legacy Machine collection, the inauguration of the M.A.D.Gallery in Geneva and the start of creative collaborations.

In their fourteenth year, MB&F unveiled a new watchmaking horizon, a bold evolution in the creativity of its founder and the company. The Legacy Machine FlyingT, launched in 2019, embodies MB&F’s first three-dimensional artistic watch object, inspired by women.

In a round gold or platinum case, the strongly arched bezel and fine lugs, often entirely set with diamonds, lend an aura of grace. An extremely domed sapphire crystal dome rises majestically above the bezel. Beneath it, a slightly curved dial is adorned with a variety of finishes: deep black lacquer, guilloché, dazzling precious stones or sparkling white diamonds.

At the heart of the LM FlyingT lies its engine, a kinematic flying tourbillon beating at the peaceful frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 vph), revealed through an asymmetrical opening on the dial. This dynamic columnar tourbillon far exceeds the rest of the movement, stopping just short of the top of the sapphire crystal dome. Crowning the tourbillon cage, a large diamond rotates in harmony with it, dazzling with the quality of the stones.

At 7 o’clock, the hours and minutes are revealed by serpentine hands on a white, black or gemstone-lacquered sub-dial inclined at 50 degrees, offering an intimate and personal reading of the time. On the reverse, the self-winding pink gold rotor, sculpted in the shape of a three-dimensional sun, ensures four days of power reserve.

The design of the Legacy Machine FlyingT evokes the feminine, maternal qualities inspired by the life of Maximilian Büsser. He explains: “I wanted the LM FlyingT to express the personality and qualities of the women in my life, especially my mother. I had to combine extreme elegance with incredible vitality. The columnar structure was very important to me, because I’m convinced that women are the backbone of humanity. At the same time, the sun-shaped rotor takes on a meaning of another kind, that of giving life, of being the nourishing source of all our existence.”

Initially launched in 2019 in three editions, all in white gold and set with diamonds, the Legacy Machine FlyingT has since been enhanced by two limited editions in 18-carat red gold and platinum, devoid of diamonds but adorned with guilloché dial plates. Since 2020, the FlyingT collection has offered a special gemstone edition every year, with variants in lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger’s eye and “Coeur de Rubis” (anyolite). In 2024, the series expands with a sophisticated new edition, the LM FlyingT Onyx, featuring a deep black gemstone in an 18-carat yellow gold case.

Details of the Legacy Machine FlyingT: Revelation of Femininity

Maximilian Büsser began envisioning the creation of a piece inspired by the role of women in his life. He says: “I thought to myself… it was the only way to realize these crazy, bold pieces that have appeared over the years. At a certain point, however, I wanted to create something for the women in my family. Since they’ve influenced my whole life, I challenged myself to make something for them.”

Inspiration came from the seemingly opposite qualities embodied by the most important women in Maximilian Büsser’s life. Elegance was essential, but a contagious energy was also required. Characteristics perfectly represented by the Legacy Machine FlyingT, a creation as pure and refined as previous Legacy Machines, but with the dynamics and exuberance of a central flying tourbillon.

The intimate, personal character of the LM FlyingT is reinforced by the subtle placement of the time indication at 7 o’clock, on a sub-dial inclined at 50 degrees for a reading reserved for the wearer.

MB&F Côté Féminin Revelation

Maximilian Büsser says: “The last thing I wanted to do was take a masculine piece, resize it, change the color and call it a feminine watch.” To bring a touch of refinement to the LM FlyingT, the Legacy Machine case has been completely redesigned. Its dimensions have been adjusted to highlight the sapphire dome, while lines have been softened and details refined for a more elegant aesthetic.

In the LM FlyingT, asymmetry is emphasized, from the positioning of the hour display at 7 o’clock to the ventricular opening around the raised tourbillon. Subtle references to femininity, as perceived by Maximilian Büsser, are integrated into the Legacy Machine FlyingT, notably through the sun motif of the winding rotor and the columnar construction of the tourbillon, symbolizing the idea of giving and guiding life.

About the engine

The mechanics of the Legacy Machine FlyingT are primarily inspired by pieces in the Horological Machine collection, notably the HM6 and HM7 Aquapod. Adopting a vertical co-axial configuration, the LM FlyingT’s engine offers an exceptional view of the flying tourbillon, emerging clearly above the dial. This tourbillon, fixed only at the base and devoid of an upper bridge, is displayed in all its splendor.

The construction of the LM FlyingT posed a particular challenge due to the shape of the tourbillon cage, creating an unbalanced mass. To compensate, a counterweight was concealed beneath the tourbillon cage. Engineers also used bevel gears to optimally transmit torque, enabling precise time indication on the 50-degree inclined sub-dial.

With 280 components, the motor of the Legacy Machine FlyingT offers a four-day power reserve, testifying to MB&F’s expertise and experience in the watchmaking field.