If you've been following our horological adventures for some time, you know that our previous Horological Machines have explored themes that I dreamed about as a kid: science fiction, aircraft, supercars… Horological Machine No.11 – our 21st calibre! - is different: it was inspired by a more recent area of interest, from my adult life: architecture.
But not any form of architecture: more specifically the experimental, postmodern architecture of the 1960s, when a handful of ground-breaking architects went against the prevailing utilitarian trend, creating innovative, organic forms.
A few years ago, when I started to discover some of the amazing houses and buildings created by those architects, I couldn't help but wonder how they could define the concept of a watch...
From a technical standpoint, HM11 Architect is the culmination of 18 years of watchmaking R&D at MB&F, as much in case design as in movement engineering.
Starting with the 364 components of the movement: a vertically stacked 60-second flying tourbillon, housed under a double-domed sapphire crystal, that sends information to four “rooms” through conical gears – an MB&F specialty.
Like the rooms of a house, each room of HM11 has a separate function. The first three contain modules for the hours and minutes, a power reserve indicator, and - because it's a house, and temperature is important - a thermometer (you can order either the Centigrade or Fahrenheit version)!
The fourth room is for time setting: thanks to an oversized, see-through crown in sapphire crystal, a world first.
By the way, HM11 is probably the world's first watch movement that cannot be entirely assembled before placing it in the case: our watchmakers need to first place the main section of the movement inside the grade 5 titanium case, and then carefully finalize assembly of the four modules within!
And now for the surprise: to wind a normal watch, you turn the crown - and that's what was initially planned.
But with HM11, we wanted the case to rotate, so you could decide which room was facing towards you when the watch was on your wrist. At some point during the creative process, I asked: wouldn't it be cool if rotating the case would ALSO wind the movement?
The engineering team rolled their eyes... but the result is here, and it's a key feature of HM11: to wind the movement, you rotate the entire case on its base! A very tactile experience and to the best of my knowledge, another world first.
The rotating case system turns out to be so efficient, that turning it just 90 degrees will power the watch up for 2½ hours. 10 turns will give you the full four days of power.
HM11 Architect launched during Dubai Watch Week, in two limited editions of only 25 pieces each, with blue or red gold dial plate. Retail price before taxes is CHF 198,000 + VAT. Have a look at the CGI video below to see the piece come to life in the Arabian desert!
And finally, the insane case itself – undefinable in terms of shape but actually super comfortable to wear, at just 42mm in diameter.
The case alone is composed of 92 components, including no less than 19 gaskets (most likely a world record) that make this 3D sculpture of titanium and sapphire water-resistant.
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