Introducing the MB&F LMX “Steel & Brass” Limited Edition
Celebrating 10 years of MB&F’s Legacy Machine, the new Steel & Brass edition offers a clever design and an outstanding performance
The new edition of MB&F's LMX takes inspiration from its older siblings, especially the Legacy Machine N°1 that was launched in 2011. With the LM1, the watchmaker introduced a new collection that combined innovation with the principles of traditional watchmaking. Following in the footsteps of the LM1, the Steel & Brass LMX, comprises a central flying balance wheel and two dials, but also presents its own unique features.
This LMX packs two tilted dials in white lacquer, each displaying its own hours and minutes. The wearer sets the right dial with the crown at 2 o'clock, which comes engraved with the MB&F battle-axe and also winds the movement. A globe is etched on the second crown at 10 o'clock to highlight the LMX's second time zone functionality.
A Legacy Of Innovation And Style
LMX was originally unveiled in two limited launch editions – 18 pieces in 18k red gold with black NAC treatment on plates and bridges and 33 pieces in Grade 5 titanium with green CVD treatment on plates and bridges. In 2022, the new Steel & Brass limited edition LMX comes in 316L stainless steel with a frosted face. Using conical gears, the watch transfers energy from horizontal to vertical planes to make the tilted dials work at an angle.
The new LMX takes a more creative path to exude its mechanical prowess, revealing functional elements such as the battle-axe-shaped escapement bridge and gear train components. Catching the glimpse of its three visible large wheels makes timekeeping riveting. Placed next to each winding crown, the two trigger off when the wearer sets the time on the corresponding time display, while the gear appearing at 6 o’clock is the common seconds’ wheel.
Another conspicuous element of the timepiece is its 13.4mm balance wheel with inertia blocks. This LMX pulls the plug on the more traditional screwed balances to offer enhanced accuracy in regulating the watch’s engine. The list of refinements also includes the polished arms of the straight bridges that are revealed on the dial plate. These have been manually finished to achieve a curved, or bercé, profile on their upper surfaces.
The watch’s avant-garde three-dimensional display does not cease to arrest your attention, displaying the movement's whopping 168 hours of power reserve in a playful manner. In this trailblazing display, the wearer has the option to select between two modes of the power reserve display. There are two markers positioned on opposite sides of a hemisphere, where one is framed by an arched scale numbered 1 to 7 and another with a scale indicating the days of the week.
Another ingenuity of the LMX lies in the rotation of the entire power reserve display, allowing the wearer to come down in favor of their preferred mode of power reserve indication. Going on with winding the battle-axe crown even after the power reserve is fully reloaded, wearers can adjust the orientation of the indication to make the day-of-the-week or numeric scale more visible when the LMX is on the wrist.
The grandeur of the movement, developed exclusively by MB&F, can be admired through the sapphire caseback, revealing the three barrels that are placed uniformly around the center and accentuated by the sunray pattern of the Côtes de Genève finishing. Protected by a 44mm stainless steel case, this engine has 367 components to work its magic. Limited edition of 33 pieces, the new LMX has been paired with a brown hand-stitched alligator strap with stainless steel folding buckle.
This technical and charming watch adds to the success of the Legacy Machine collection, which has won many Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève awards, including the Best Men's Complication for LMX in 2021.
Specifications
LMX Steel & Brass
Movement: Manual winding movement with three mainspring barrels
Power Reserve: 7 days (approx.)
Balance Wheel: New bespoke 13.4mm balance wheel with inertia blocks, floating above the movement
Balance Frequency: 18,000 bph/2.5Hz
Functions: Hours and minutes and completely independent dual time zones displayed on two dials
Case: 316L stainless steel
Dimensions: 44mm x 21.4mm
Sapphire Crystals: High domed sapphire crystal on top and sapphire crystal on back with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Strap and Buckle: Brown hand-stitched alligator strap with stainless steel folding buckle
Price: US$122,000 +VAT
For more details, visit MB&F.
