MB&F Watches: Origins, Innovation, and the Art of Independent Watchmaking

MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) was founded in 2005 in Switzerland by Maximilian Büsser, a former executive at established Swiss watch manufactures. The brand was created with a singular purpose: to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking through radical creativity, independent collaboration, and mechanical experimentation.

From its earliest days, MB&F positioned itself not as a conventional watch brand, but as a horological concept laboratory, where timepieces are designed as three-dimensional mechanical artworks.

Who Wore MB&F First

MB&F watches were first embraced by serious collectors, independent watch enthusiasts, and horology connoisseurs rather than mainstream luxury consumers. Early adopters were individuals deeply familiar with traditional Swiss watchmaking—collectors seeking something intellectually and mechanically different.

These early supporters played a key role in establishing MB&F’s reputation within high-end collector circles, long before the brand gained wider international recognition.

Why MB&F Became Famous

MB&F became widely known for doing what few brands dared to attempt: rejecting conventional watch design entirely. While most luxury watches emphasized heritage and refinement, MB&F introduced sculptural cases, exposed movements, and unconventional time displays.

The brand gained global attention through:

Its radical Horological Machines
Collaboration with renowned independent watchmakers
Winning multiple prestigious watchmaking awards, including honors from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG)

MB&F redefined what a mechanical watch could look like, positioning itself at the intersection of engineering, art, and design.

What Makes MB&F Special

Several defining elements distinguish MB&F from other luxury watch brands:

Three-dimensional movements designed as visual architecture
Unconventional time displays that challenge traditional reading of time
Extreme transparency, allowing the movement to be admired from multiple angles
Limited production focused on craftsmanship rather than volume
A collaborative creation process with independent artisans

Each MB&F watch is designed to be experienced visually and mechanically, not simply worn.

Iconic MB&F Watches

Some of MB&F’s most recognized and influential creations include:

HM1 – The First Horological Machine (2007)

The watch that defined MB&F’s identity. HM1 introduced a three-dimensional movement with dual time displays and exposed balance wheels, establishing the brand’s futuristic design language.

HM4 “Thunderbolt”

Inspired by aviation, the HM4 features twin engine-like pods housing the movement and displays. It remains one of the most technically complex and visually striking MB&F creations.

Legacy Machine No.1 (LM1)

A landmark release that reimagined classical watchmaking. With a suspended balance wheel and domed sapphire crystal, LM1 brought traditional aesthetics into a modern mechanical structure.

HM6 “Space Pirate”

Recognized for its organic, biomorphic case design, HM6 showcases MB&F’s ability to combine fluid forms with advanced mechanical engineering.

HM3 “Frog”

Playful yet technically advanced, the HM3 Frog demonstrates MB&F’s unique ability to merge humor, artistry, and precision.

MB&F Movements

MB&F movements are in-house developed concepts, often engineered in collaboration with leading independent movement specialists. Rather than adapting existing calibers, MB&F designs movements specifically to suit each case architecture.

Key movement characteristics include:

Manually wound or automatic mechanical calibers
Three-dimensional construction rather than flat layouts
Hand-finished components using traditional haute horlogerie techniques
Visible balance wheels, bridges, and gear trains

These movements are built to be viewed as much as they are built to perform.

Materials Used by MB&F

MB&F utilizes a wide range of high-grade materials, selected for both aesthetic and mechanical purposes:

Titanium for lightweight structural integrity
Stainless steel for durability and contrast
18K gold (red, white, or rose) for refinement
Platinum for limited and highly exclusive editions
Sapphire crystal extensively used for domes and viewing windows

In some models, advanced materials such as aluminum alloys or zirconium are also employed.

Remarkable Details and Innovation

Among MB&F’s most remarkable features are:

Floating balance wheels suspended above the movement
Multi-axis time displays
Highly domed sapphire crystals, often requiring complex manufacturing
Hand-engraved components in selected editions
Mechanical sculptures inspired by vehicles, animals, and architecture

Every MB&F creation challenges the perception of what a mechanical watch can be.

MB&F in Contemporary Horology

Today, MB&F is considered one of the most influential independent brands in modern watchmaking. Its creations are studied, collected, and exhibited as examples of contemporary mechanical art.

At The Art Watches, we present MB&F as an educational and editorial reference celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and independent horology without commercial affiliation.

MB&F remains a symbol of creative freedom, where time is not only measured, but designed.