For those of you who have been following us for some time, you will have realized by now my weakness for all innovative and avant-garde creations by independent watchmakers.
But if I were to narrow the field and focus solely and exclusively on what I consider to be the most knockout creations from such manufactures, I could only think of MB&F.
The fruit of the genius of the maison’s founder, Maximilian Büsser, MB&F’s watches, or, rather, “le machines,” represent true horological masterpieces capable of combining tradition and futuristic innovation, both in terms of design and mechanics.
And it is precisely on the basis of this philosophy that the brand presented its latest creation in front of which I was literally speechless.
We therefore welcome the new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback, that is, a watch that can take chronograph complication to a front never before explored.
The Origin of LM Sequential Flyback
Before we get to talk about MB&F’s new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback, we need to take a small step back to 2022, when the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO was introduced.
This is an entirely unique watch that for the first time in the brand’s history, thanks to the development of their 20th manufacture caliber, brought the chronograph inside a Machine by Max Büsser.
For those new to the brand, they might think of a “normal” chronograph.
And therein lies the difference in that, having always been distinguished for bringing a wholly personal concept of watchmaking to the watchmaking scene, Max Büsser, thanks to the genius of the skilled watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, decided to create a watch with as many as two chronographs inside it.
A Machine that was also equipped with the innovative “Twinverter” button, i.e., a button that allows independent measurement, ratcheting mode, cumulative mode, and stopwatch mode.
It was a watch that left all enthusiasts and collectors speechless and won the maison the Aiguille d’Or of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2022, i.e., the watch industry’s most coveted award.
(To find out all about the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO, I refer you to our previous article).
However, this watch, already equipped with a highly complicated chronograph, was not enough right away for the brilliant mind behind it, namely watchmaker Stephen McDonnell.
In fact, just before introducing the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO in 2022, the skilled watchmaker had already set to work on adding an additional complication to the Machine’s dual chronograph.
Work that, after 2 years of modifications and testing, led to what Stephen McDonnell was aiming for, which was to add the Flyback function to each of the two chronographs already on the LM Sequential EVO, so as to transport the watch into the world of aviation, as a complication originally designed for air pilots.
It was a path, however, that did not prove to be without its challenges because, the design of the movement of the new LM Sequential Flyback, involved a fundamental change in the way the chronographs of the previous LM Sequential EVO were designed.
Indeed, suffice it to say that since the inner rubies of the movement’s vertical clutches are a key element of the entire Sequential chronograph, rubies were also needed in the new flyback system, without which nothing would work.
Because it is a very delicate system, it took a lot of work to minimize friction so that the flyback would not cause the zeroing function to jam.
To overcome any problems, McDonnell integrated a special ruby roller into the flyback mechanism.
A component that, because it was not available from any ruby supplier, was made by McDonnell himself, becoming one of the five patented elements in the watch.
After two years of secret testing and having ascertained the reliability of the entire movement, the LM Sequential Flyback has finally seen the light of day.
The New MB&F Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback
Looking at the new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback, we cannot help but notice its similarity to the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO.
In fact, like the latter, Max Büsser’s new Machine features the same 44 mm diameter case and the same arrangement of the subdials above the dial.
The difference in the new LM Sequential Flyback lies in the materials, which, unlike the previous Sequential EVO in zirconium, the new Legacy Legacy Legacy Machine is made with a platinum case and a sky blue dial.
Looking at this last element of the new LM Sequential Flyback, the first detail that definitely stands out to the eye is the fantastic flying balance wheel supported by the two bridges coming out of the dial, a true signature of the MB&F house.
At 11 and 13 o’clock, however, are the chronograph minute counters for each of the two chronographs. At 3 and 9 o’clock, on the other hand, we find the two large chronograph seconds counters each dedicated to the two chronographs. At 6 o’clock, on the other hand, we find positioned the inclined, lacquered hours and minutes dial.
On the case, however, are located the buttons of the two chronographs thanks to which it is possible to start all chronograph functions.
Each of the chronographs can be started, stopped, and reset completely independently of the other, using the start/stop (13 o’clock for the right chronograph and 11 o’clock for the left chronograph) and reset (key at 17 o’clock for the right chronograph and key at 19 o’clock for the left chronograph) buttons.
Through the reset pushers, above which is the word “flyback,” it is also possible to use the latter function if the corresponding chronograph is running.
Instead, at 9 o’clock, also on the case, stands out the famous Twinverter button by means of which independent measurement, split-seconds mode, cumulative mode and stopwatch mode can be initiated.
This rather simple-looking key controls both chronograph systems, acting as a binary switch that reverses the start and stop status of each chronograph.
Then, if both chronographs are stopped, pressing the Twinverter will start both at the same time.
If they are both running, the Twinverter causes them to stop.
If one is running and the other is stopped, the Twinverter stops the running one and starts the stopped one.
But how, however, does this incredible MB&F signature chronograph work in detail?
Starting from the independent mode, if, for example, we have to prepare two different dishes at the same time, which require different cooking times, it will be enough to start the two chronographs, with their respective dedicated keys, at the moment when cooking starts.
Once the pasta is ready, I will stop the chronograph used to time the cooking time, and once the vegetables are cooked, timed with the other chronograph, I will stop the second chronograph.
At this juncture of use, thanks to the new flyback function, in the event that, once the pasta has been cooked and with the vegetables still not ready, I need to start counting the time for cooking a roast, for example, I will simply press the flyback button on the chronograph used for the pasta without having to first reset and then restart it.
Thanks to the simultaneous or rattrapping mode, however, I will be able to go and time a race in which the two competitors start simultaneously.
In this mode, thanks to the Twinverter button, I will be able to start both chronographs at exactly the same time, that is, the start of both athletes in a race.
By means of the flyback function, I will instead be able to instantly restart measurements if needed.
Thanks to the cumulative mode, on the other hand, taking an example in the work environment, it might be useful to know how much time you spend on two separate projects in the course of a day when you switch from one to the other.
In this case, as soon as you start working on the first project, simply start a chronograph and then press the Twinverter key when you move on to the second project and, resume it again when you return to the first.
In this way, it will be possible to observe the time spent on each project thanks to the Twinverter, which will make it possible to start the chronograph that is not running and, at the same time, stop the one in use.
With the sequential or stopwatch mode, on the other hand, individual lap times in a sport can be measured.
Starting one chronograph at the beginning of an event and using the Twinverter at the end of a lap will in fact immediately activate the second chronograph to time the next lap.
Meanwhile, the first chronograph is stopped, allowing a margin of time to note the result. At this point, the stopped chronograph can be reset to zero, ready to be operated again with the Twinverter for the next lap.
In contrast, the flyback mode, i.e., the real novelty above the new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback, takes direct inspiration from the historic complication devised in the 1930s to enable airplane pilots to accurately measure the course between two landmarks.
This function allowed pilots in flight not to have to reset and restart the chronograph once they arrived at the reference point, but rather to restart the chronograph instantly once the button was pressed without incurring the risk of causing navigational errors.
Above the new Legacy Machine, the combination of the new flyback function and the other measurement modes of the Sequential gauge enables additional functionality.
For example, a pilot can measure the total duration of a certain flight with one chronograph and use the other chronograph to accurately measure the duration of each leg using the flyback function.
Turning instead to the part that brings all this incredible system to life, we find the caliber designed by MB&F admirable through the sapphire crystal case back.
This is a highly complex movement with finishing touches that will leave any enthusiast speechless.
The overall design of this incredible Machine, limited to only 33 in the world, is complemented by an alligator strap with a white gold folding clasp.
Final Thoughts
With this new Machine Maximilian Büsser has once again managed to outdo himself and leave everyone within the watchmaking world amazed.
What I have always admired about the maison, and what we also find in full in the new Legacy Machine Sequential Flyback, is the very high ability to combine what has always represented watchmaking tradition, together with a completely futuristic philosophy capable of bringing things to the world of hands that have never been seen before.
When faced with such a masterpiece, one cannot help but be open-mouthed and amazed to admire all its beauty.
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