MB&F (Maximilian Busser & Friends) seem to have a thing for dual dials. After the HM1 Watch, HM2 watch and the HM3 Frog watch it’s time to take the Horological Machine (HM) series further. Three years in the making, the MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt is based around the indecently complex HM4.
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
The group first revealed the engine of the HM4 at Basel World 2010 in March, suggesting a few hints about the final design that has been unveiled today. The watch features two bullet-like chambers encasing the time display and power reserve, harnessed around the HM4 engine. That engine is hand-constructed from 311 parts, providing an accurate measure of time down to the nanosecond. The engine and display are enclosed in a titanium caseback and sapphire case, both of which combine for 210 hours of machining for the exterior itself.
According to MB&F, the main inspiration behind the Thunderbolt watch is the A-10 plane – though lots of people speculated about it being something more Sci-Fi in origin.
Maximilian Büsser with MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
You’ll notice that each of the tubes (MB&F calls them “pods”) has a crown at the end of it. One crown is used for winding the watch, and the other is used for adjusting the time. Based on what tube the crown is placed, it should be obvious which one does what. The Thunderbolt has just two functions. It tells the time via hours and minutes, and has a power reserve indicator. Worn on the wrist, the two dials should be angled to the wear, making the watch easy to read without having to turn the wrist.
The MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt will not be a limited edition watch, but will be produced in limited amount of about 25-35 pieces a year. There will be just 20 HM4 watches for 2010. Price is in the middle of the Horological Machine range, at $158,000.
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt
