MB&F

Deconstructing traditional watchmaking into three-dimensional kinetic art. Each Horological Machine is designed with independent watchmakers (the "Friends" in MB&F). Small series, Swiss production, no compromise on mechanics. Watchmaking as a creative playground.

MB&F is the project of a man who had seen everything in luxury watchmaking and decided to break it all. Maximilian Busser, Swiss-Lebanese, ran Harry Winston Timepieces for seven years. In 2005, at 38, he left everything and founded MB&F - Maximilian Busser & Friends - in Geneva. The concept: a horological laboratory where each watch is a Horological Machine, not a conventional timepiece.

The first piece, the HM1, came out in 2007 and immediately divided opinion. It was a sculptural, biomorphic object that displayed time unconventionally. Purists winced. Avant-garde collectors fought over the pieces. The tone was set.

Since then, MB&F has produced Horological Machines resembling spaceships (HM6), mechanical frogs (HM3 Frog), cockpit dashboard clocks (HMX). Each creation is developed with independent watchmakers - the "friends" giving the F in MB&F. Laurent Zaech, Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, Kari Voutilainen have all collaborated.

Production is entirely Swiss, in small series. Busser remains the sole owner, no external shareholders, no group behind him. He also opened M.A.D. Galleries (Mechanical Art Devices) in Geneva, Dubai, Taipei, and Hong Kong to exhibit his pieces in an art context rather than a jewelry one.

This is radically creative watchmaking, with prices ranging from 50,000 to several hundred thousand francs. Not for everyone, but in independent watchmaking, MB&F has proven you can be playful and serious at the same time.