Certainly interesting Paul. Can you say more about it? Looks kinda steam-punk style and art indeed!
I got to try on an MB&F HM9 for the first time on my birthday back in 2019. The salesman who showed me the watch at the M.A.D Gallery commented when I posted a photo of it on Instagram: “Not easy to give up what you want for something you want more”...
I managed to keep the Rolex 6542 GMT with the Bakelite bezel that I had listed on SC but have given up a number of watches over the past couple of months. However, today I am in absolutely no doubt that it was the right thing to do as my grail has arrived in the form of the HM9 Road Edition and I couldn’t be happier with the decision!
I’m going to steal from the post I’ve just made on Instagram as I’m pretty lost for words...
Here’s a quote from one of my best friend’s Instagram stories on what buying what you like actually means: “If you had to spend all your time off Instagram and just carry on with your life without showing it to anyone or flaunting it at watch meet-ups... you’d still be over the moon with that purchase. You’d still get joy from looking at it. You’d still be amazed by the movement, or the functionality it offers... whatever your rationale was for buying it - that would continue to apply to you - alone.” That is exactly what this watch does for me.
Another good friend of mine is also the guy who sourced this watch for me and he summed up my thoughts on the HM9 with this comment: “It’s honestly art not a watch. It just happens to tell the time.”
Here are a couple of quick photos, along with a comedy one...
All the best,
Paul
Certainly interesting Paul. Can you say more about it? Looks kinda steam-punk style and art indeed!
Thanks Martyn!
Max Busser says it a lot better than me if you have a few minutes to spare:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qfFe28pccvs
It really is an incredible piece of engineering!
Cheers,
Paul
Superb Paul. Really takes some balls to go for a piece like this, but certainly worth it. Congrats!
Wow! I love all the horological machines by MB&F. Congrats on the purchase!
Congratulations on obtaining a grail.
It is a fantastic piece of engineering.
That`s not engineering, it`s mechanical magic.
Congratulations,that really is bold and glorious.
That’s just a piece of art, and one you can wear and enjoy or have on a shelf when you get home too :)
It's just a matter of time...
That is absolutely outstanding. Max Busser is a genius and so are his friends. The result is always spectacular and this one certainly is that.
I hope you will treat us to more photos in the weeks to come.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Fabulous, love them, remember looking at them in Singapore a while ago.
Absolutely first rate... not something we see everyday!
I love MB&F’s work, particularly their collaborations with Blackbadger. This is, without doubt, one of the most special watches I have seen on here in many years. You are a lucky man and I wish you well wearing, and enjoying, what can only be described as a spectacular piece of art and horological excellence.
I’d like to say I’m not jealous but I would be lying.
Huge congrats.
MB&F go beyond watches and into the realms or art/sculpture on a number of their pieces. As with all art it is really individual some thing are blah, some you get, but some you love. Looks like you have been lucky enough to get a piece of art you love, that you can wear and take with you ! Something very special.
Enjoy !
Fantastic, congrats on the acquisition of a watch / piece of mechanical art you clearly love! Look forward to seeing it on the Friday thread :)
Cheers! I know you’re a fan of independents too so that means a lot!
Thank you! I love both the HMs and the LMs but this one has always been my favourite!
Thanks! The attention to detail is just mind-blowing.
Mind-blowing... or magic!
Much appreciated!
It sums it up nicely!
Cheers Scott! That was my thought - it will make an even more expensive version of the Hodinkee clock when I’m working from home...! Looking forward to seeing your automotive art soon my man!
Merci S-J! I’ll definitely add some more pics in the next few days!
It’s a shame there is no AD in the UK anymore. I know Pragnell were talking about becoming one at one stage but apparently that’s not happening anymore.
Cheers! Agreed - I had to keep remembering what it felt like having it on my wrist to convince myself I was doing the right thing!
I think the Blackbadger HMX is an awesome piece! Thanks for such a lovely comment - I can promise you I haven’t stopped grinning since I picked it up!
Thank you - it still feels like I’m in a dream right now!
Cheers! This is definitely one of those watches that people either love or hate! What I would say in all the craziness is that it is actually a really wearable size when on the wrist!
Thank you! I’m sure there will be plenty of pics to come over the next few weeks!
That is a marvel of engineering, I guess it’s not really wearable out many places.
I’d love to see one in the flesh.
Absolutely marvellous. The HM6 Space Pirate is my lottery win present to myself.
F.T.F.A.
Love that he has a picture of a Mosquito in his video.
No, not that kind. One of the most beautiful aircraft ever.
Glad someone has the artistic guts to make their dreams real. Well done OP.
Holy Crap Paul, you weren’t kidding when you said it was something special. That is absolutely stunning. Nice work indeed.
I follow MB&F on Instagram and am always amazed by their pieces but never thought I’d see one in the wild as it were.
Last edited by tiny73; 11th April 2021 at 10:36.
That is just a crazy piece of engineering. Love it!
I saw this on Instagram and was hoping you'd start a thread on TZ. What an absolutely incredible, beautiful, bonkers, interesting watch.
Well done for achieving your true grail of grails. Not many of us have the balls to decimate our collections to achieve what we really want.
Wow never even heard of these, awesome and a great back story thanks for posting up.
What’s it actually like to wear?
Awesome on so many levels - to watch the dual balance wheels is mesmerising..
for those old enough to remember - it reminded me of the 1960 Film 'Time Machine' and also '20'000 Leagues'
Enjoy - how could you not...
Last edited by TKH; 11th April 2021 at 09:46.
Incredible watch. The video is really good. Thanks for sharing
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That is amazing and love the passion of the owner.
Also love those robot watch holders!
Salute. A bold but a great choice.
We need more pics though.
Absolutely stunning. Congrats.
I’ve lusted after an MB&F since watching the video below. It is a panel discussion on the future of high end watchmaking with the Gronefeld brothers, Roger Smith and Max Busser. Busser is basically a superstar. (The video is a must watch for anyone who missed it btw.)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b_-HtSi8OC0
When I first looked at these pictures I couldn't make out the watch until I realised what I thought was the head of the robot was actually the watch.
A wonderful melding of engineering and art. Many congratulations on getting it.
I have also spent the a happy couple of hours learning more about MB & F. A company who are on the bleeding edge of watchmaking.
That is an absolutely phenomenal watch!
I realise this is hardly the point but how do you find erading the time at a glance?
Thats nuts in the best possible way!
Glad you got to keep the gmt AND get it.
That's enthralling and quite brilliantly bonkers. Congratulations.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Good grief - that's fantastic. A completely unknown brand to me - a quick google and they clearly make some creative, beautiful and technically amazing watches.
I have certainly been doing a lot of that over the last few days!
It’s been food shopping and out looking at other watches with me so far (the look on watch salespeople’s faces has been entertaining...!) but it is unlikely to be one I’d put on for a night on the beers...!
Thank you! HM6 you say? And people thought this one was bonkers... (I salute you, sir!)
Cheers - More photos below!
He dropped me a message on Instagram after I posted the picture and then sent me his mobile number so we can meet up next time I’m in Dubai. I’m very much looking forward to meeting him in person.
Haha! Cheers Tim - I promise to wear it when we meet up for that beer... as long as it doesn’t turn messy!!!
Cheers Jason!
Amen to that!
Cheers! I did let quite a few go but rationalised it by the fact that they were relatively easy to replace if I missed them too much. At one point, I was considering letting the Octa Lune go and then it was the 6542 so I’m glad common sense prevailed and I still have those in the collection!
It wears surprisingly well! I mean, you want to be careful of door frames and the like(!) but the way the lugs are designed means it actually fits comfortably on my girlie wrists, as shown in the pics below.
I’m sure Max would be pleased to hear all of that!
You’re welcome. I bloody love that video!
Thank you! I’m waiting on them releasing the Robodog too as the HM9 looks awesome on that too!
I promise to keep them coming!
Cheers! That is also a great video and you’re absolutely right that Max is a superstar (but also comes across as an incredibly nice guy too).
That made me smile! From what I hear, there’s plenty more to come from MB&F too!
S-J is correct...
But this is also true, especially when it is being used “as intended” as a drivers watch!
Thanks Celia - on reflection, I would have been crazy to let the 6542 go over the others that were sacrificed!
Cheers Matthew - the closest it will get to water will be if I revisit that underwater restaurant...!
Thank you! I’m glad to hear this thread has brought the craziness and ingenuity that is MB&F to the attention of a few more watch enthusiasts!
Now for a few more pics...
I took this one when I first tried on a HM9 in the M.A.D Gallery back in 2019 to prove it didn’t look stupidly big on my wrist..
Here’s one showing the way the positioning of the lugs mean it does actually sit well, even on my stupidly small wrist...
A properly posed shot in the car just so I could get the Power Station in the background(!)... but you get the idea of how clever the time display is for drivers...
And finally a gratuitous one from the window of my place!
And for those of you who want to see the watch photographed properly, here’s a link to my good friend Shawn’s website, with his pics of the watch after he sourced it for me...
https://www.watch4moi.com/product/mbf-hm9-ti-road/
All the best,
Paul
Congrats Paul, clearly something your passionate about but if I’m honest it does nothing for me. I can appreciate the technical mastery but wouldn’t buy one personally. But that’s what makes this place interesting, I’d never heard of MB&F before so every days a school day.
That is amazing.
If I imagined the most futuristic watch possible, I still could not reach the imagination level of this watch.
Cheers Ben - I appreciate we’re all different and this isn’t necessarily what the majority of people would buy if given the choice with the same budget... but I’m so glad it exists for the mentalists like me!!!
Thank you! Here’s another pic from a different angle...
Absolutely incredible piece. Congratulations.
I love the engineering and horology and I’m sure I would be mesmerized by it if I seen it, but to own it is another question, I doff my cap to you for buying such and out there watch.
Personally, I prefer your 6542 Bakelite GMT!
That is crazy (in good way!)
Tried on the Bulldog today. Not something I’d wear personally, but a wonderful piece of engineering nonetheless-
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The bulldog is def a very impressive feat but not sure I could pull it off personally. The HM3 and HM4 were always my favourites although if i ever found myself in a position to buy would go with the HM3 as looks a bit more wearable.
That is an incredible timepiece, I skipped to the pictures, read the thread and had to go back and stare at the pictures again, and then some more!!
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