Dive into the architectural marvel that is the MB&F Horological Machine Nº11 (HM11) Architect at Dubai Watch Week. In the realm where time meets design, this horological machine redefines the boundaries of watchmaking. Drawing inspiration from the visionary Swiss architect Le Corbusier, HM11 blurs the lines between a timepiece and a work of art.
In the late 1960s, a wave of experimental architecture swept the globe, departing from the rectilinear norms of the past. MB&F’s (Instagram) founder, Maximilian Büsser, was captivated by the organic, humanistic designs emerging from this movement. The question arose: What if one of these avant-garde houses became a watch? Thus, HM11 Architect was conceived.
“An incredibly complex kinetic sculpture which takes its inspiration in late 1960’s innovative architecture. HM11 is a miniature house powered by a central flying tourbillon which sends different horological and meteorological information into four rooms at each corner. It took five years to engineer from design to launch this week,” said Büsser in an exclusive interview with YUNG.
At the heart of this architectural timepiece is a central flying tourbillon, symbolizing the nucleus of the house. The quatrefoil-shaped upper bridge echoes the design of revered temples and the miracle of life itself. The structure unfolds into four symmetrical volumes, housing the essential components of timekeeping.
Turn the HM11 to access its different rooms, each serving a distinct purpose. A 90° rotation between rooms offers versatility in display orientation and energy efficiency with the tactile click accompanying each rotation delivering 72 minutes of power directly to the barrel, granting HM11 a remarkable autonomy of 96 hours. The rooms include the time room, where rod-mounted orbs indicate hours and minutes, the power reserve room displaying the remaining autonomy, and a unique thermometer room, a rarity in horology. The transparent fourth room functions as the time-setting crown, an ingenious blend of design and functionality.
The HM11 case, meticulously crafted from Grade-5 titanium and sapphire crystal, mirrors the fluidity of those iconic ‘bubble houses’ from the mid- to late-20th century. A see-through crown, a technical feat, provides an unimpeded view into the movement. The sapphire crystal roof covers the central atrium, allowing light to illuminate the in-house engine.
HM11 goes beyond conventional shock protection. It incorporates a full-system dampener with high-tension suspension springs, ensuring resilience against shocks that could affect performance. Additionally, the mechanical thermometer utilizes a bimetallic strip and proprietary alloys, and measures temperatures from -20–60°C (0–140°F).
Despite its three-dimensional complexity, the HM11 case measures a sleek 42mm in diameter, ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist. The curved case feet serve dual purposes – accommodating various wrist sizes and providing stability when winding the barrel.
In the world of HM11 Architect, every detail is a testament to the fusion of architectural brilliance and horological innovation and these limited edition red gold and blue dial marvels are each limited to 25 pieces.
A piece like this demands a unique market and it’s growing, “A large amount of speculators have finally left the market and real watchmaking lovers will have again easier (I did not say easy) access to what they love,” said Büsser. “About 15% of our pieces come to the region. Ten years ago it was only 3%. The level of watchmaking education in the region has soared in the last decade. It makes me truly happy.”
To discover more about the world’s finest watches, though the Horological Machine certainly stands apart, and to further explore Dubai Watch Week, visit our dedicated pages.
