Renowned Swiss architect Le Corbusier once stated, “une maison est une machine à habiter” (a house is a machine to live in). MB&F Machines, in a similar vein, are not just worn; they are lived. This philosophy becomes even more apparent with the introduction of the MB&F Horological Machine Nº11 Architect.
In the mid- to late 1960s, architecture took a turn towards experimental designs, departing from the pragmatic post-war structures. Architects, often referred to as habitologists, embraced humanistic approaches, shaping spaces around the human body’s form, vision, and movement. Inspired by these unconventional houses, Maximilian Büsser, the founder of MB&F, envisioned a watch that embodies the essence of such architectural innovation — the HM11 Architect.
The central element of the HM11 Architect is a flying tourbillon housed under a double-domed sapphire roof, resembling clerestory windows in monumental temples or the moment of conception during cell division. The watch features four symmetrical volumes extending from the central core, creating parabolic rooms that can be accessed by rotating the entire structure. This unique design offers a versatile display orientation, allowing different rooms to face the viewer.
Each room serves a distinct function. The time room displays hours and minutes with rod-mounted orbs as hour markers and red-tipped arrows for clarity. The power reserve room, located 90° to the left, features orbs indicating the remaining autonomy of the watch’s barrel. Another room hosts a thermometer, showcasing a mechanical temperature indication system. The seemingly empty space serves as the time-setting crown of the watch.
The case, measuring 42mm in diameter, is constructed with highly three-dimensional Grade-5 titanium and shaped sapphire crystal components. The transparent atrium roof, composed of two stacked sapphire crystal domes, is a nod to the skylights prominent in 1970s residential architecture. Notably, the watch introduces a see-through crown, allowing an unobstructed view into the movement.
The HM11 case incorporates a total of 19 gaskets to ensure water resistance and protect the intricate movement. The unique crown gasket system, resembling double airlock security, allows for smooth operation despite its large size in sapphire crystal.
The HM11 engine focuses on power and efficiency. The winding action, both incidental and deliberate, is relocated from a small crown to the entire case, providing an amplified and quicker winding process. The flying tourbillon, a hallmark of MB&F, is equipped with a full-system dampener to protect against shocks, a feature uncommon in watchmaking.
An innovative addition is the mechanical thermometer, operating on the principle of exploiting differences in thermal expansion coefficients. The HM11 Architect’s thermometer measures temperatures ranging from -20–60°C (0–140°F), offering a unique and functional twist.
In conclusion, the MB&F Horological Machine Nº11 Architect is a testament to avant-garde design, blurring the boundaries between timekeeping and architecture. With its thought-provoking concept and meticulous craftsmanship, it stands as a living testament to the brand’s commitment to redefining watchmaking norms.
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