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MB&F transforms traditional watchmaking into three-dimensional kinetic sculptures, blending avant-garde design with mechanical mastery. Each creation is a collaborative effort, pushing the boundaries of timekeeping into the realm of wearable art.
Founded in 2005 by Maximilian Büsser in Geneva, MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of haute horlogerie.
Departing from conventional designs, MB&F introduces timepieces that are not just watches but kinetic art pieces, challenging and redefining the norms of watchmaking.
The brand’s inaugural release, the Horological Machine No.1 (HM1), set the tone for its future creations—bold, unconventional, and mechanically intricate. Subsequent models, such as the HM4 Thunderbolt and HM6 Space Pirate, further exemplify MB&F’s commitment to avant-garde design and technical prowess. These timepieces often draw inspiration from science fiction, automotive design, and nature, resulting in watches that are as much conversation pieces as they are instruments of time.
In 2011, MB&F introduced the Legacy Machine series, offering a more traditional aesthetic while retaining the brand’s signature innovation. The LM1, with its suspended balance wheel and dual time zones, garnered critical acclaim, winning both the Best Men’s Watch and the Public Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2012. The LM Perpetual, introduced in 2015, showcased a revolutionary approach to the perpetual calendar complication, earning the Best Calendar Watch Prize at the GPHG in 2016.
MB&F’s collaborative spirit extends beyond watchmaking. The brand’s M.A.D.Galleries, located in Geneva, Dubai, and Taipei, serve as spaces where horology meets mechanical art, showcasing works from various artists and creators. This fusion of disciplines underscores MB&F’s philosophy: to create timepieces that are not just functional but also emotionally resonant and artistically significant.
For enthusiasts seeking a departure from the ordinary, MB&F offers a journey into a world where time is told through the lens of imagination and artistry.
MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) is a Swiss independent watch brand founded in 2005 by former Harry Winston Rare Timepieces director Maximilian Büsser. The brand produces entirely non-traditional mechanical timepieces — typically three-dimensional, sculptural objects that house elaborate movement architectures — by collaborating with specialist watchmakers (the 'Friends'). MB&F sits at the experimental apex of independent watchmaking, producing pieces that are closer to kinetic sculpture than conventional watches.
The Horological Machine (HM) series includes the brand's most radical creations — the HM3 Frog Eye, HM4 Thunderbolt, HM6 Space Pirate, and HM9 Flow among them. Each HM is a unique sculptural object housing a three-dimensional movement architecture. The Legacy Machine (LM) series is more classical — traditional round cases with visible flying tourbillons and large balance wheels above the dial. The LM Perpetual and LM Split Escapement demonstrate MB&F's ability to innovate within more conventional formats.
MB&F collaborates with master watchmakers and specialists who design movement components or entire calibres for specific machines. Key collaborators have included Kari Voutilainen (LM1), Jean-Marc Wiederrecht of Agenhor, and Stephen McDonnell. The 'Friends' model means each MB&F piece represents a genuine collaboration rather than a single designer's vision — and crediting collaborators publicly is central to the brand's identity. This transparency is relatively unusual in an industry where movement origins are often obscured.
