Architect Reimagined: MB&F's HM11 Art Deco Watch
MB&F launches the HM11 Art Deco, a thematic reinterpretation of the HM11 Architect, at Dubai Watch Week. This 20-piece limited edition showcases the growing influence of Maximilian Maertens, who has collaborated with Maximilian Büsser and Eric Giroud since joining the company as an intern in 2017. The HM11 Art Deco maintains the original HM11's structure, including its unique rotate-to-wind case, but embraces Art Deco motifs like sunbeams, stained glass, and ziggurats.
The watch's design is inspired by the Art Deco movement, with sunbeam-style markers on the time display and power reserve dial. The hands feature a subtle stained glass effect, paying homage to the era's iconic motifs. The ziggurat motif, inspired by Mesoamerican architecture, is also present on the time-setting crown, adding to the watch's Art Deco aesthetic.
The HM11 Art Deco is a horological machine, reminiscent of the futuristic pod-like homes of the 1960s and 1970s. It includes a thermometer with period-inspired typography, adding a unique domestic touch to the watch. The case, made of grade 5 titanium, is compact at 42 mm in diameter but sits high on the wrist due to its rotating structure. It features a large central crystal and four titanium lobes, with three containing dials for time, power reserve, and temperature, and the fourth lobe housing the crown.
The watch's movement has been subtly updated to support the Art Deco theme, with gold-plated bridges resembling sunray-stepped capstones. The finishing is remarkably well done and consistent, with coloured plating on certain bridges enhancing the circular brushing. The HM11 Art Deco ranks among the higher tiers of MB&F's catalogue, featuring extra details like a reshaped tourbillon cage with hand-finished lobes.
Key Facts and Price
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Height: 23 mm
- Material: Titanium
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water resistance: 20 m
- Movement: HM11
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve, and temperature
- Winding: Manual wind
- Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
- Power reserve: 96 hours
- Strap: Lizard strap with titanium folding buckle
- Limited edition: 20 pieces (10 with blue dial plate and 10 with green dial plate)
- Availability: MB&F M.A.D. Galleries, eShop, and retailers
- Price: CHF198,000 (excluding taxes)
For more information, visit MB&F.com.
