The art of watchmaking has surely evolved multifold over the years. What was considered a miracle in terms of technology is a common practice today. Similarly, some of the most top-tier complications today were thought to be impossible back in the day. This interpolation of technology in watchmaking is what makes this art so surreal. One such watchmaker that has led the way by example is MB&F. The brand was established in the year 2005 by the contemporary watchmaker and designer Maximilian Büsser. The timepiece that we will be discussing is the Legacy Machine 101 Frost.
Getting To Know The Legacy Machine 101 Frost
Yellow gold seems to have fallen out with a lot of luxury watch brands lately. The current era is dominated by rose gold and white gold watches with a little stainless steel and titanium here and there. But the MB&F took care of things when it launched the Legacy Machine 101 in 2015. The timepiece represents an epoch that existed a few decades ago, an era where yellow gold watches ruled the dominion. The MB&F Legacy Machine 101 gets its name from a finish-style of 18th and 19th-century pocket watch movements referred to as ‘frosting’.
The frosting process was done by treating the surface with some sort of an acid mixture and then heating it over a fire. Over the course of time, wire brushing replaced this technique. There are a few concerns about wire brushing such as uniformity, but that is a story for another day. As far as Brush finishing is concerned, today it is a closely guarded trade secret that is only known by a limited number of Swiss artisans.
Getting Into The details
This vintage art can be clearly seen in action on the Legacy Machine 101 Frost. The surface of the timepiece exceeds the modern-day frosting technique of top-tier luxury watches and at the same time recalls the age-old technique used by Swiss craftsmen. The LM101 has a case diameter of 40 mm, which is essentially 4 mm smaller than the original Legacy Machine 1. The key element in this dial is the ‘suspended balance wheel’ that takes about 1/3rd of the 40 mm diameter. Despite this avant-garde detail, the dial is extremely legible and well-put.
Coming to the sub-dials, they include primary features such as hours as well as minutes which are situated at the top right corner. There is also a power reserve counter for better management. The dials are perfectly lacquered and have golden outlines. The lugs are curved and the bezel polished. On an overall note, the timepiece is extremely wearable and very sophisticated.
The Movement
The watch has a see-through case back that beautifully captures the essence of the movement at work. The LM101 uses an in-house manufactured manually-wound movement. Spaces have been provided between bridges for better functioning as well. The finishing in the movement is to the point and spot-on. The movement offers a power reserve of about 45 hours whilst running on a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour.
Final Thoughts
The MB&F Legacy Machine 101 Frost is true to its roots and by far the most historically accurate watch from the watchmaker. Anyone who is an aficionado of vintage and golden era Haute Horlogerie will definitely love to own this timepiece.
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