Aventurine TriAx
MB&F launched the first Legacy Machine in 2011 as a new line, distinct from their more avant-garde Horological Machines, as a way of paying tribute to 19th-century watchmaking. Intended to convey what an MB&F watch would look like, had Max Büsser been born in the 19th century, as opposed to the 20th century. As this decade draws to an end, MB&F has unveiled its most audacious Legacy Machine to date. The culmination of a years-long collaboration between two of the watch industry’s most brilliant minds, Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen.
The Legacy Machine Thunderdome features a revolutionary ‘TriAx’ triple-axis rotating escapement, housed under an arched sapphire crystal. Instead of the rational (and cumbersome) system that associates one cage with each rotational axis, the TriAx defies logic with a three-axis, two-cage configuration that allows for unprecedented visibility of the Thunderdome’s beating, whirling heart. In addition, the Thunderdome houses an unusual Potter escapement, which utilises a fixed escape wheel in place of the mobile escape wheels seen in virtually every type of modern rotating escapement. Named after 19th-century watchmaker and inventor Albert H. Potter, this configuration allows for higher rotational speeds. The reverse of the Legacy Machine Thunderdome, with its smoothly rounded bridges, incorporating sharp hand-bevelled internal angles, is Kari Voutilainen at his finest. And for the first time in an MB&F creation, Kari Voutilainen has applied his proprietary style of finish onto the ratchet wheels. This technique imparts a serpentine shimmer to the circular surface, catching the light in sigmoid waves. This technique is a closely guarded secret in the Voutilainen workshops, requiring years of experience and special tools to execute.
The MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome is unprecedented in its ability to combine the technical brilliance of Eric Coudray with the artistic virtuosity of Kari Voutilainen; a real tour de force of complicated modern independent watchmaking. Limited to 33 in platinum 950, with a light-blue guilloché dial plate. In addition, for our 40th Anniversary, we'll be releasing 10 Commemorative Edition Legacy Machine Thunderdome watches: 5 with a dark-blue guilloché dial and 5 with Aventurine dials, both with tantalum cases (a first for MB&F).
Louis Vuitton worked with a watch brand for the first time to release a special edition of their Classic Monogram 8 Watch Case. Accompanying the MB&F LM Thunderdome The Hour Glass Commemorative Edition, Louis Vuitton presents the Monogram Eclipse 8 Watch Case; a timeless variant of the Monogram canvas in grey and black shadow tones, inspired by the Malle Courrier of the Louis Vuitton archives. With polished metallic rivets and corners, a monochromatic micro-fibre / natural-cowhide interior; the Monogram Eclipse Watch Case perfectly complements the avant-garde design of the MB&F LM Thunderdome.⠀
Crafted like a trunk, the Louis Vuitton Watch Case is an ideal travel companion for the modern watch collector and frequent flyer. With space to hold 8 watches, the watch case – fitted with an S-lock with a key – effortlessly transforms from a secure travel case to a stylish display case when open. It also features a removable main tray, to hide other valuables and includes individually removable watch cushions. Combined, the MB&F LM Thunderdome The Hour Glass Commemorative Edition and the Louis Vuitton Monogram Eclipse 8 Watch Case represent the best in independent watchmaking and luxury accessories, it’s an unprecedented collaboration which we’re proud to be part of, in celebration of our 40th Anniversary.
Technical Details
CASE
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Material:
Tantalum
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Glass:
Domed sapphire crystal; anti-reflective coating
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Back:
Sapphire crystal; anti-reflective coating
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Dimensions:
44 mm x 22.2 mm
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W/R:
30m / 90' / 3ATM
DIAL
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Placements:
Hours and minutes displayed on a 58° vertically tilted dial
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Colour:
White lacquer dial
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Hands:
Blued hands
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Indices:
Elongated Roman Numeral hour markers
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Dial Plate:
Aventurine
ENGINE
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Creators:
Developed for MB&F by Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen
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Movement Type:
Manual winding with three mainspring barrels
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Balance:
Bespoke hemispherical 10mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws and helical hairspring, visible on top of the movement
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Power Reserve:
45 hours
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Balance Frequency:
3 Hz / 21,600bph
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No. of Components:
413
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No. of Jewels:
63
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Finishing:
Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; bevelled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings
STRAP
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Material:
Blue hand-stitched alligator strap
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Buckle:
Tantalum folding buckle matching the case
MB&F x The Hour Glass
(Commemorative Edition)
To create the MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome, Max Büsser assembled a modern horological dream team; combining the technical brilliance of Eric Coudray with the artistic virtuosity of Kari Voutilainen.