Horological Machine No.9 has swooping curves inspired by the most beautiful automobiles and airplanes of the 1940s and 50s, considered by many a golden age of design.
Horological Machine N°9 ‘Flow’ is bold, not only because its form is far from conventional, but also because its very hard to fabricate. If the watchcases in the Horological Machine collection are usually innovative and atypical, that of the HM9 pushes the envelope. Taking into account the extreme curves and sharp angles, it was necessary to explore new standards and techniques of fabrication to obtain a case so perfectly machined and finished.
Evoking a jet plane, the extremely complex case is enhanced by alternating polished and satin finishes, and houses an equally complex manual winding mechanism entirely developed in house. Two independent balance wheels, visible under elongated sapphire domes, oscillate quietly at 2.5 Hz (18,000 VPH) on each flank of Horological Machine N°9. On the central fuselage central, a third sapphire crystal reveals the gearbox of the HM9 motor: a planetary differential that averages the output of both balances to provide one stable reading of the time.
Key points: Horological Machine N°9 ‘Flow’ evokes the dynamic silhouettes of mid-20th-century cars and planes.
Plus: It is no surprise that the HM9 Flow comes in two versions that pull inspiration form the two principal design sources; a “Road” version with a speedometer dial; and an “Air” version with a cockpit-style dial.
Price: HM9 Red Gold: 174,000€ + taxes
Characteristics HM9 Flow: Manual winding conceived and developed in-house by MB&F, Two fully independent balance wheels with planetary differential, Frequency: 2.5Hz (18,000bph), Single barrel with 45-hour power reserve, 301 components, 52 jewels, Hours and minutes on vertical dial display, Introductory editions limited to 33 pieces each, case in grade 5 titanium with NAC movement (“Air” version) or rose gold (“Road” version), and limited editions of 18 pieces each, case in rose gold 5N+ with a NAC movement and rhodium-plated balance wheels (“Air” version) or rhodium-plated movement with red gold balance wheels (“Road” version), Dimensions: 57mm x 47mm x 23m, Water-resistant to 3ATM, Five sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coating, Hand-stitched brown calf-leather strap with custom-designed titanium or red gold 5N+ folding buckle.
