Introducing MB&F Unveils the Legacy Machine 101 EVO

MB&F unveils the Legacy Machine 101 (LM101) first made its debut in 2014. With its 40 mm case diameter, it stands as one of the smallest and thinnest models in the Legacy Machine collection, yet it remains visually impressive thanks to its dramatically three-dimensional movement, highlighted by a monumental 14 mm “flying” balance wheel floating above the dial.

The LM101 was also the first calibre conceived entirely in-house by MB&F’s engineering team. To ensure the movement’s architecture and finishing met the strictest standards of haute horlogerie, MB&F partnered with award-winning independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, who defined the design and finishing specifications in line with 19th-century hand-finishing traditions and the timeless codes of historical watchmaking.

Over the past decade, the LM101 has been produced in a variety of striking iterations, including white, rose, and yellow gold, platinum, palladium, and stainless steel, paired with a wide range of dial colours and finishes. Each new execution has been met with enthusiasm, cementing the LM101’s reputation as one of MB&F’s most coveted creations.

Collectors and enthusiasts have long requested an EVO edition, and to mark its 20th anniversary in 2025, MB&F has answered that call with the launch of the LM101 EVO – a milestone release that celebrates two decades of horological artistry while paying tribute to the passion of the model’s most dedicated admirers.

Both editions share the same case, crafted from lightweight titanium and equipped with the brand’s proprietary FlexRing shock protection system for enhanced durability. Measuring 40 mm in diameter and 16.5 mm in height, the case is composed of 42 components, with a 49 mm lug-to-lug span for balanced wearability. It is fitted with a high-domed sapphire crystal on the front and a box sapphire crystal on the back, both treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides. A screw-down crown and 80 meters of water resistance complete the robust yet refined design.

The dial is offered in either salmon or green, achieved through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) applied over a sunburst base for a dynamic play of light. Two black subdials hover above the dial plate, encircled by finely executed borders. The hours and minutes are shown on the upper-right subdial, with newly designed white gold hands, while the lower subdial hosts the power reserve indicator, now upgraded from 45 hours to 60 hours, aligning with the watch’s more athletic character.

The eye-catching twin arches that suspend the flying balance wheel remain central to the LM101’s identity. Milled from a single block of metal and hand-finished to a flawless mirror polish, they have been reworked in the EVO version with a more fluid, refined base, setting it apart from the original LM101. The escapement wheel has also been subtly redesigned, echoing MB&F’s recurring battle-axe motif.

Inside beats a three-dimensional movement developed fully in-house by MB&F, with its aesthetic direction and finishing overseen by Kari Voutilainen. The manually wound calibre, powered by a single slipping mainspring barrel, delivers a 60-hour power reserve. At its heart lies the iconic 14 mm bespoke balance wheel with four regulating screws, paired with a Straumann® double hairspring for improved chronometric stability. Operating at a low frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), the movement is composed of 233 components, including 23 jewels set in gold chatons with polished countersinks. Its finishing is a masterclass in traditional horology, with sharp internal angles, polished bevels, Geneva waves, delicate hand engravings, and NAC-treated black bridges, all recalling the craftsmanship of 19th-century pocket watches while emphasizing the movement’s architectural depth.

The LM101 EVO is fitted with either a white or grey rubber strap, secured by a titanium folding buckle. While not a formally numbered limited edition, production is naturally capped at only a few dozen pieces per year due to manufacturing capacity. The watch is priced at CHF 62,000 (approximately AED 284,000).

For more information visit MB&F’s official website.