MB&F doesn’t need a special occasion to draw up a bold timepiece. It’s in their DNA. If there’s one brand that simply despises ‘the ordinary’, it has to be MB&F. Founder Maximilian Busser indicated a desire to be different in the haute horology world, and the brand’s timepieces in the 20 years that followed have aligned perfectly with that vision.
Now, with 20 years of history to boast of, MB&F is celebrating with the release of two different versions of the Legacy Machine 101 (LM 101) Evo. The timepiece is a reimagining of one of the brand’s most cherished watches.
Part of the Legacy Machine collection, the LM101 was introduced in 2014 and is known for its 40 mm case, three-dimensional movement, and dramatic 14 mm flying balance wheel.
The LM101 also carried significance as the first caliber developed completely in-house by MB&F. It has finishing standards shaped in collaboration with master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
Since its initial introduction, collectors have seen the LM collection in many forms, crafted in precious metals like platinum, palladium, and gold, with dial variations. The LM101’s popularity made it the perfect candidate for the 20th anniversary EVO treatment, a design and engineering evolution first used in other Legacy Machines starting in 2020.
The LM101 EVO offers a sportier interpretation of a beloved classic while keeping its historical essence intact. You’re not going to mistake this timepiece for something from any other brand.
What the EVO Treatment Brings
The EVO series was designed to make MB&F’s horological art more suited for everyday wear. Key hallmarks include a screw-down crown, water resistance up to 80 meters, an integrated rubber strap, and MB&F’s patented FlexRing shock absorber.
Titanium and zirconium add durability without compromising refinement, while a bezel-free case design with a domed sapphire crystal improves ergonomics and visibility. Darkened finishes on the movement heighten the modern, sporty aesthetic.
The Anniversary Editions
For the LM101 EVO, MB&F introduces two editions in titanium, paired with salmon or peacock green CVD dial plates. The salmon option offers a rare warmth in MB&F’s palette, while the peacock green edition refracts shifting hues of blue, green, and purple depending on the lighting conditions.
Both feature black subdials, including an off-center clock face with finely circled borders and white gold hands. The power reserve has been increased to 60 hours (not quite up to the 80 hours quoted as an EVO feature by MB&F), up from 45. The indicator is located at 6 o’clock.
Suspended above the dial, the twin arches supporting the flying balance wheel are the watch’s centerpiece. Precision-milled from a single metal block and hand-finished, these bridges have a smoother base that differentiates them from earlier LM101 model.
The movement boasts a Straumann® double hairspring, a redesigned escapement wheel, and the hallmark hand-finishing techniques that link MB&F’s work to 19th-century haute horlogerie.
The watch is finished with either a white or grey rubber strap and a titanium folding buckle, underlining its balance of practicality and sophistication. Production will be limited to just a few dozen pieces per year, dictated by MB&F’s artisanal capacity.
For the brand’s most dedicated fans, this watch celebrates MB&F’s journey into 'the unorthodox' in watchmaking and pays homage to the LM101’s enduring appeal.
