12 Extraordinary Watches for Bird Lovers

e listed 10 of the most incredible timepieces depicting birds. I chose one brand for each bird; although, I could have written the blog entirely on Jaquet Droz minute or Bird repeaters. Perhaps for some other time.

Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater circa 2015 Cost $520,000

  The Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater has to be one of the most publicized watches unveiled at Baselworld 2015 and for $520,000 this watch is designed particularly for the avid bird fan. Who else would spend a bundle to watch a mechanical mother bird feed here chick, another stretch its wings and another hatch from an egg. To fully appreciate this watch one must view the watch in action.

Van Cleef Arpels Lady Arpels Jour Nuit Oiseaux de Paradis SIHH 2015

The 2015 edition to  Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complication flock is this wonderful depiction of a Bird of Paradise.  The champlevé and cloisonné enamel creates a dial brilliant in color and form .  Blue hues, fiery oranges and  deep purple depict the vividness of an untainted forests where Birds of paradise alight among towering trees. The Bird of Paradise upon the dial displays shimmering tail feathers set with three round diamonds.  The movement powering this latest 38mm edition to Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic Complication collection, is a 24 hour movement which changes the scene from flower by day to a diamond moon at night.  This timepiece is limited to 22 pieces.

Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art L’éloge de la nature collection - Watches & Wonders 2014

Two cranes engraved upon a pink gold plate  fly over a choppy sea of guilloché ripples and translucent Grand Feu enamel. Two provide the wearer or watcher with the full effect of birds in flight, Vacheron Constantin utilized a automatic in-house 237 piece Calibre 2460 G4 movement, which displays the trailing hours and minutes as well as a jumping day and date via four apertures. The case is fashioned from 18k 5N pink gold and affixes to the wrist via an alligator leather strap.  The case back is fashioned from sapphire crystal where one may view the Hallmark of Geneva.

Angular Momentum - Flying  Bird circa 2009

 Now this watch is kind of creepy, reminds me of the last creature to escape from hellish destruction.The creature in fact is a sparrow which ,together with its foreboding backdrop, has been crafted with a Japanese Lacquering method known as Urushi. Urushi lacquer comes from the sap of a Urushi tree, which creates a natural plastic like substance. It is the Urushi Lacquer that creates the intense blackness covering the dial. 

Boucheron Hiniscus Tourbillon circa 2012

 Boucheron mechanical hand wound Hibiscus Tourbillon is  a delicate representation of a hummingbird in mid-flap alighting upon a diamond encrusted bezel attracted by a bright pink hibiscus.  Between bird and flower, a flying tourbillon incorporating a Swiss escapement lever rotates beneath fallen leaves. A flying tourbillon is only supported on one side creating the illusion that it rotating whilst suspended in mid air -  unsupported by any means. A white - almost hazy mother-of-pearl dial -like a sky masked with high cirrus clouds, sets a gentle backdrop for a scene  created from white gold, blue and pink sapphires and diamonds. A dial framed by delicate plant like swirls is placed at the 1 'o'clock position.  A gentle reminder of  Boucheron's flagship boutique at number 26  place Vendôme.

Cartier Ballon Bleu Floral Marquetry Parrot Watch - SIHH 2014

"Polly wants a cracker?" The parrot fluffing its feathers atop a signature Cartier Ballon Bleu dial is so realistic one expects it to emit a shrill squawk and pluck the cracker right out the hands of the giver. Amazingly the soft visage of feathers are crafted from real flower petals. From its face of feathers, a single emerald gleams at its eye against a shimmering backdrop of diamond paving.  Limited to 20 pieces.

MB&F / Boucheron HM3 JwlryMachineWatch - circa 2010

Without the additional owlish getup,  MB & F's HM3 closely resembles an owl or a frog. However, beneath the bejeweled clothes of Boucheron, the mechanical mastery turns into a spectacular spectacle of owlish delight.Clear sapphire crystal enable the clear display of hour and minute upon the cylinders of each eye. The eyes themselves are top with a purple cabochon and surrounded by a ring of diamonds. The owls claws and feather toughs are crafted from 18k white gold. Price $215,000

Chopard Emerald & Diamond Owl Watch- Currently Available

The eyes of an owl truly lend themselves to the face of a watch, especially when a dual timezone is on display.  Chopard ,with its love for the animal kingdom, chose to represent the great horned owl on a silver leather strap around the wrist. Graduated calibré-cut emerald surround two grey guilloché watch dial eyes within a diamond set owl face. Available at Chopard, this limited edition Owl Watch  will make your friends hoot with delight.

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Grand Tourbillon Crane Enamel Watch - circa 2013

Although many watch companies have taken pride in applying miniature enamel paintings to the dial, this timepiece is Jaeger-Lecoultre's first attempt at the enamel art.  The result ,of course, is exceptional. Cranes, a symbol of longevity, nestle amongst bamboos beneath a silver foil moon and white gold  guilloché decorated dial.  A bunch of bamboo stalks are meticulously painted on the sapphire crystal creating a unique depth to the dial. An almost weightless light weight titanium alloy tourbillon cage turning at one revolution per minute. The enamel artistry is framed by a bejeweled bezel and sweeping lugs of 94 baguette cut diamonds weighing in at 8 carats.   The power house of the watch  is the iconic Calibre 978 visible via a sapphire crystal case back.  Limited edition of 8 pieces.

Christian Audigier's Graceful Bird Watch- Currently Available

Since most these watches can run you in the thousands from some of the most prestigious watch brands, I like to post a more affordable bird watch to sway the chances of getting the title of a watch snob - Gasp! Anyway back to business.  I have been monitoring Christian Audigier's watch designs for some time.  The watches and movements are ok.  Nothing to cry home about or set up news crawlers atop Times Square, but they definitely fill a nice affordable watch niche.  The watches exude a youthful energy and pizzazz. The Graceful Bird Watch dial boasts tattoo flash inspired artwork and surrounded by Swarovski Crystal. In addition, Swarovski crystal graces each hour indice. The watch is presented on a gray rubber band featuring Christian Audiger's signature trademark.    Christian Audigier  is a high profile and very prolific French fashion designer residing in the US. Price $225.00

Piaget Limelight Garden Party Watch - SIHH 2011 (Ref. G0A36169)

Piaget's Limelight Garden Party Collection is a whimsical representation of a summer eve surrounded by the chatter of friends, the clink of glasses, the gentle chatter of garden birds and a gentle breeze ruffling leaves.  The diamond encrusted birds, diamond encrusted leaves and berries the birds eat, revolve around the dial in effortless motion. The birds an their habitat are a meticulous composition of 99 brilliant cut diamonds set upon an 18 carat white gold case baring 52 brilliant cut diamonds. The entire scene sparkles against a backdrop of pure Piaget black. The watch is powered by a Piaget 56P quartz movement and secured to the wrist by a black satin strap and secured by a diamond encrusted 18 carat white gold ardillon buckle.If one has a great infinity for birds, take note, this watch is part of a large garden party motif collection of brooches necklaces and earrings.

Harry Winston Premier Feather Watch - Circa 2012

"Birds of a feather flock together"  and Harry Winston has taken this proverb to an entirely new level by perfectly placing feathers upon a dial to create a kaledescope of design and color. Harry Winston always delivers with a flourish.  With the Premier Feather Watch, unveiled at the opening of the Shanghai Pavilion boutique, Harry Winston preens perfection like an exotic male bird showing off its fine plumage to the ladies.   Working with feathers requires exceptional talent and the job goes too ... Nelly Saunier who is one of the few experts who still  practice this rare skill. With an expert touch she hand picked (not hand plucked) each feather spending  7 hours carefully and exquisitely creating the dial. In days gone by feathers were used to decorate refineries most notably the headdress of nobles and aristocrats. The feathers were cut and placed in the perfect position in order to make the best use of the feather's natural  nanostructructually organized tissue to interact with light and achieve an intriguing iridescence. Each dial is intrinsically unique and  framed by 66 brilliant cut diamonds which flow onto Harry Winston signature lugs. he Premier Feather Watch is powered by a quartz movement and water resistant to 30m.
The timepiece is bound to the wrist by a satin strap and secured with an 18k white gold or rose gold buckle set with 29 brilliant cut diamonds. 
Only 8 pieces of these feathery watches will be produced making them much coveted collectors items especially by those who have an affinity to towards fowls.

Countdown to Baselworld 2015

Jeanrichard Terrascope Blue

Baselworld, the worlds largest watch and jewelry show, is set to begin March 19th, 2015 and run through March 26th, 2015. 1,500 brands from 40 countries converge on 463,000 sqft multi floor pavilions.

  Entering the vast show halls may cause an overwhelming feeling of information overload.  To go to the show without a plan may cause one to fixate on one item or another and forgot completely what one came for.  Of course there always is the lovely element of surprise which can cause an unexpected and unpredictable turn of life changing events for a small vendor, a large buyer or a curious guest.

Thanks to modern technology, one has all the tools to come well prepared.  Baselworld provides a handy app which allows for optimal time efficiency - quite fitting for a show demonstrating the display of time. The app provides the hall and booth in which a particular brand is located; individual events and media info.  The app also provides daily news through out the show and any new Press Releases that become available. If one realizes time has been so well spent and have some hours to spare, the app provides Basel tourism and  transportation info. 

In addition, the Baselworld website  provides detailed floor plans displaying which brands are where.

Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Watch - Baselworld 2015

As is customary Hall 1.0  showcases the world's most popular global brands such as Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Patek Phillipe, Tissot, Hublot, Tag Heuer, Chopard, Longines, Rado Girard Perregauze, Corum e.t.c.  This hall provides a nice mix of really high end brands like Patek Phillipe and Girard Perregaux, mid range brands such as Omega, Breitling and Tag Heuer; popular fashion brands such as Chanel, Gucci and Calvin Klein and brands with captivating complications such as Jaquet Droz and Harry Winston.

Graff Butterfly Watch

Hall 1.1 holds captive the watch and jewelry enthusiasts, buyers, boutique owners, journalists and seekers with a admirable range of watch wares.  Bejeweled brands such as Graff, Jacob & Co. and Boucheron, Professional sporty brands such as Clerc, Edox and U-boat, brands which hold their own such as Vulcain and Romaine Jerome, and iconic Japanese brands, Citizen and Seiko. In addition, numerous jewelry  brands dot Hall 1.1 like Mikimoto - prolific with pearls - and Faberge - its fame hatched from iconic eggs.

Moving on to Hall 1.2, one is greeted with a host of brands displaying fun fashion wear like Follie Follie, Toy Watch, Kappa, Anne Klein and  Go Girls Only.  In Hall 1.2,  Invicta - no introduction needed- displays its massive macho dials.  This hall has quite a sporty presence with professional diving watches by DOXA.    Casio sporting its latest G-Shock ,no doubt, unveiling another cool feature like last years GPW1000  GPS and atomic radio time syncing.

An entirely new watch company: DOGFIGHT makes its debut in Hall 1.2 unveiling pilot watches in tribute to Ace fighter pilots.  Ace fighter pilots are those who have five or more victories against enemy pilots in aerial combat. The term became popular in World War I. A DOGFIGHT in military terms  is an aerial conflict where two or more fighter pilots engage in aerial conflict with the enemy - the first DOGFIGHTS occurred in World War I.  The chronograph watches are the product of WIN, Inc, based in the Republic of Korea.

International Brands

HYT H3 Watch

Hall 2.0; 2.1; 2.2 holds a vast amount of jewelry companies each booth divided by expertise and individuality.  Ball Watches and Eterna holds great representation in Hall 5.0 alongside luxury Italian jewelry corporation  - Damiani group. Personally, I think, aside for Hall 1.0; 1.1 and a quick gallop through 1.2, the Palace is the next step for a watch fanatic like me.  Here HYT proves that liquid can be held within the confines of a watch case - much to my original skepticism back in 2012.  HYT unveils the HYT H3 watch featuring a linear liquid indicator. The watch looks highly complex and a closer hands-on look will only increase ones horological amazement.  a timepiece displays its Skull Watch where one can look eye to skeletal eye orb in devilish red or true traditional HYT green. Set quite some time to celebrate with HYSEK,  the 10th anniversary of  ABYSS - its 44 mm flagship series Chronograph.

 MB & F unveils its HM3 finale - The MB&F HM3 MegaWind Final Edition Watch featuring its two signature glass domes of hours and minutes, an impressive luminescence as well as the dial side rotor.    The rugged construction of the final model looks every bit "Holorgical Machine" from the black PVD treated 18k gold to the blackened 22k gold and titanium rotor.  Only 25 pieces will be produced and thus the opportunity to see the final HM3 "Light in Darkness" must not be missed.

Hall 3.0 and 3.1 hold an expansive assortment of diamonds and jewels and Hall 4U displays the most cutting edge tools of the trade. Hall 4.0 and 4.1 are the National Pavilions.

Baselword is not only about the halls and the treasures within its walls, but its a social event where common and uncommon minds meet and mingle.  Basel Village is a little village within the city of Baselworld where fine dining and excellent ambiance create a magical atmosphere after the intense show days. 

 Baselworld 2015 is not to be missed.

5 Luxury Watches That Actually Exist

by Cassandra Stevens

Watches are the quintessential piece of jewelry for men. Whether it’s a $10 Wal-Mart watch or a Rolex, a watch shows that a man values his and other people’s time. Time rules over all our earthly doings. Our work, play time, sleep, and so on is all scheduled to be at certain times of the day which makes us look at the time constantly. Why not give yourself something nice to look at on a daily basis? Something you would be proud to wear, something that’s unique. Not all of us can afford to buy an expensive time piece but we can dream, here are 5 watches to get your thoughts moving. Note: Many of these watches are extremely valuable and expensive. While not wearing them, I would recommend protecting them by storage in a luxury jewelry safe, which you can learn more about here.

Breitling Cockpit B50 Watch – $6,600+

Being a fighter pilot is already ridiculous enough, which would mean most pilots would need a ridiculous watch. This watch has both an analog and digital display. Its inner workings where developed specifically for the aviator, featuring a tachometer, a bidirectional compass scale bezel, a rechargeable battery, and a “chrono flight” mode that records flight times and memorizes  the time that you depart and arrive along with the date when these moments take place.

Rado Hyperchrome Touch Dual Timer Watch – $3,000+

This watch took something that the “smart watch” movement did and made it for the businessman. Every function of this watch is manipulated by touch. You can set the time for two different time zones just by touching the face and swap in between the two by using multiple fingers at the same time. Not only that, it’s gorgeous. The watches case is a grey high tech ceramic that’s tough to reproduce consistently.

MB &F  HM6 Space Pirate Watch - $230,000

This time piece makes you wish you were a space pirate. Its odd design is inspired by Japanese sci-fi cartoons from the 70’s and features a biomorphic design. Its titanium case houses 475 different components, 68 jewels and a complex network of gears, turbines, and rotors that keep the Hour and minute spheres moving underneath four of the watches 10 domes sapphire crystals. The strap itself seems basic but is actually made of premier calfskin. Most people will be too pre-occupied to notice it though because they will be staring at the spherical abomination on top your wrist.

Patek Philippe World Time Moon Watch - $48,000

Have you ever wondered what phase the moon is currently in? This watch will tell you. It features a moon phase display made of two thin glass disks, which combine to show a large image of the moon in its current phase. It also blends old and new by using the company’s world time mechanism that made its debut in the 1930’s. It also comes with a hand stitched alligator strap.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Goldfinger Watch - $115,000

Ever wanted to be more like James Bond? Then this watch is for you. This luxurious time piece was created to celebrate the films 50’s anniversary and features a Co-Axial calibre 8501 movement. It’s covered in 18k gold. From the bracelet, to the dial and hands themselves.   There’s also a 007 counter weight that perfectly honors the iconic film.

Cassandra Stevens writes for Casoro Custom Safes, she enjoys vintage jewelry and riding horses in her spare time.

Countdown to Baselworld 2014

A week from now Baselworld doors fling open unto an eager crowd of watch and jewelry enthusiasts, buyers, boutique owners, journalists and seekers. From March 27th to April 3rd, show goers will venture from hall to hall and event to event gathering information about new styles, prices and brands. Old friends will meet, new ones made, contacts forged, orders arranged and signed upon the dotted line. Seven informative Baselword Daily News issues ,available online and at the show itself,  keeps visitors abreast of "must-see", news and current trends. A Baselword App on your i-phone, i-pad, blackberry and android provides useful interactive information.

I have outlined a brief Pre-Baselworld Virtual Walk to Navigate the halls. Keep in mind, this is just a hint of what awaits you at the show.


Hall 1.0 is a given to go with highly popular prolific top notch brands such as Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Phillipe, Tissot, Hublot, Tag Heuer - you get the gist.

Breitling for Bentley 6.75 Midnight carbon

Hall 1.1 houses a bejeweled assortment of high end brands - famous for gem encrusted watches and jewelry  such as House of Graff, Boucheron, Jacob &; Co. and of course de Grisigono.  Great Sporty brands such as Edox, U-Boat and Clerc are displayed among high end accessory brands such as Hermès, Dior and Chanel. Seiko holds a prominent place being in a category of its own.
Quite a few lessor known brands are within these walls, but favorites are found all around.  Europa Star spans one wall - an excellent watch news source.
 Hall 1.3 showcases affordable brands such as Invicta, Follie Follie, Guess and Casio.

Jacob & Co. Epic SF 24

International Brands
Hall 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 is abundant with jewelry - each booth displaying originality in design and expertise.
Eterna, Ball Watch USA holds command of Hall 5.0.
The Palace is by far my favorite Baselworld local, housing unparallelled watch making expertise.  HYT renowned for its hydro mechanical timepiece is at P03, while at P06, the edgy and daring Artya brand  rubs shoulders with the elusive Haldimann Horology.

HYT H2 Forged from Titanium & White Gold with Blue Fluid

 The Palace is abundant with complex complications perfected by MB &F, Konstantin Chaykin (genius in watch design) and Christophe Claret.  Badollet - keeper of my favorite design and De Bethune- creator of the finest blue  are found at P01 and P02 respectively.

Badollet Ivresse like a Painters Pallet

Hall 3.0 and 3.1 is abundant with jewelry and gem.
Hall 4U holds necessary tools for the trade and Hall 4.0 and 4.1 are National Pavilions.



Unlike the exclusive SIHH , where visitors must receive an invitation to attend, Baselworld is open to the public without prior registration.  Simply show up and purchase your ticket "on-the-spot" or online at www.baselworld.com. Prices are quite affordable at CHF   60.-for the day or CHF 150.-for the week.

Coming from far and away without a place to stay? Enjoy some Swiss Hospitality at the Mövenpick Hotel Egerkingen. If you wish to be a bit closer to the action, a room at the Hotel Alexander Basel is a stones throw away. Zürich is  a 90 minute train ride away with hotels galore ready to welcome a Baselword traveller. But whether you come by land or air, it is on the water you can stay.  Book a floating room on the "Hotel Ship" for the duration of your trip. A free shuttle bus will transport you to the show - just 15 minutes away. 

The show does not end at closing time, Baselworld Village is open from 6pm until 2am.  Restaurants and Bars provide prime places to seal a deal over some fine wine and delectable dine.  

For the best and most productive Baselworld experience planning is crucial, but  the most memorable moment may just be chance. Make a memory, a deal, a contract, a sale, a moment.  Come to Baselworld.

BaselWorld Doors Open March 8th, 2012 and HYT H1 Hydro Mechanical Watch is on Display

 

Ok! Whose a running to BaselWorld Hall Palace Booth P05 A?  Run through the palace entrance. Race past the huge CASIO exhibits (lots of G-shocks on display - I assume).  Take note of the Urwerk and MB & F on your left ( a definite stop on your way out).  Hurry past the large P03 hall - yes the Haldimann un-watch is keeping its un-time as well as numerous ArtyA creations! Zoom past the Ikepod Hour Glasses and De Bethune on your right! Come to a screaming halt outside your destination at Booth P05 A- the HYT H1 Hydro Mechanical Watch on Display. Bend over! Place your hands on your knees and take a deep breath.  You have arrived to view the most talked about watch on the web - The HYT H1 Hydro Mechanical Watch... and once you have taken a good look at the Watch - please do me a favor and tell me all about it.

I know you have probably heard tons about this watch - Ariel Adams at  a blog to read - describes this watch better than anyone on the net.  Read his article for a full synopsis. 

And if Videos are your preferred source of information - I have provided that for you too.  

A Panda on a Thunderbolt MB&F HM4 Only Watch Auction

He is in a wheel chair now, watching Todd and Jack kick around a soccer ball; smiling a little as the ball bounces into Mrs Nell's rose garden for about the hundredth time that day, and Mrs Nell coming out and yelling again. The sky is the perfect blue, and the sun delivering just the right amount of warmth... and he, Sam, is inside.
"Sam shall I wheel you outside for a bit, just to catch some sun," his mother had asked, pain and worry naked in her eyes.
"No! I'm good" he lied wanting desperately to be like every other kid on a hot summer's day, wanting desperately to run again.
"Hey Sam!" Todd yells, and runs... runs towards the window. Sam quickly closes the blinds. Sam hears his mother say, " Todd, maybe another day okay."

The room is cool, and Sam ,clutching his stuffed Panda, closes his eyes. In an instant he is no longer "Sam stuck in a wheelchair in the house on a great day Sam". He is Sam "Master of the Thunderbolt with Panda Second in Command." Panda and Sam climb into the seat between the powerful turbine engines and he takes hold of the reigns. The Thunderbolt roars to life, and he Sam, "Master of the Thunderbolt with Panda Second in Command" begins to soar. The Thunderbolt plummets across open fields, houses, cities towns turning everything into a colorful blur, people hold onto hats looking up, but all they see is the sun glinting on a tiny dash of metal. The wind is whipping at his hair and ruffling Panda's fur. Sam turns to Panda and yells across the fiery din of the engines, "It is time Panda! It his time!" Sam points the Thunderbolt towards the galaxies filled with planets to explore and comets to race.

The imagination of a child so free from the confines of physical ailments, and perfectly represented by MB & F HM4 (Horological Machine 4) Thunderbolt Timepiece. A Panda, representing a child's bedside companion during illness, atop a flying machine. The Thunderbolt is MB & F's contribution towards the Only Watch Auction in Monaco this September to be Auctioned off by Antiquorium to benefit the research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. (a terrible debilitating genetic disease appearing in early childhood causing extensive muscle degeneration.)
The Thunderbolt is an impressive Horological Machines created with much unbridled creativity by Horological genius Maximilian Büsser in collaboration with Paris-based Chinese artist, Huang Hankang, who painted the Panda astride the Thunderbolt which served as the reference for the HM4 Only Watch. The painting will accompany the watch sold to the highest bidder.

Crafted from solid gold, a panda bear controls the Thunderbolt's golden reigns. The Panda and reigns are removable leaving the HM4 as we know it. Huang Hankang signature is crafted on the sapphire crystal case-back. Just at a glance, even a novice acknowledges, this timepiece is something quite different from the dial, movement, strap norm. After all the case of this timepiece or Horological Machine (a term MB & F most prefers) is comprised of two miniature turbine on either side of a central platform, which houses most of the complication. 311 in-house specialized components power the Mechanical Timekeeping Machine, including two mainspring barrels enabling a 72 hour power reserve. The power reserve is displayed in the opening of one jet turbine - fashioned like a fuel gauge - and the hours and minutes are displayed in the other.
The straps are removal, enabling one to display the timepiece as a time keeping sculpture in 18k white gold.

The HM4 Only Watch will be Auctioned off on September 22nd, 2011.

The Many Faces of MB&F's HM2

The HM2 or Horological Machine No. 2 is the brain child of MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends). The HM2 is quite a remarkable timepiece. Aesthetically, the design is highly recognizable enabling different artists and watch manufacturers to add their touch to the timepiece without retracting from its original guise.
This micro machine is truly one of a kind; comprising of 450 components (including 44 jewels), the HM2 is the world's only automatic timepiece offering instantaneous Jumping Hour, Concentric Retrograde Minutes, Retrograde Date and Bi-Hemisphere Moon-Phase . The actual movement is a Jean Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor in designed functionality and regulated and powered by a Girard-Perregaux oscillator and gear train. The Double Hakken automatic winding rotor ensures that power to the timepiece is generated by the gentle swinging motion of ones arm.The sub dials are clear and easy to read; the left indicates a retrograde date as well as a Bi-Hemisphere Moon Phase and the right dial displays jumping hours and concentric retrograde minutes. The timepieces are available in a either 18K white gold/titanium; 18K Red Gold Titanium (HM2-18K) or ceramic/red gold (HM2-CR) or Ceramic/titanium (HM2-CTi) all in varying limited editions
June of 2009, the HM2 caught a lovely blued gold butterfly (below) who is trapped in a barbed wire snare which surrounding the entire movement.

Although the butterfly will be trapped for eternity (thanks to the superb craftsmanship of the HM2) it went to a worthy cause. The watch signed by American artist Sage Vaughn was auctioned of at Only Watch to benefit research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The entire upper face of the watch , the rectangular case and the projecting portholes, is crafted in sapphire crystal.

In October, out of a collaboration between Alain Silberstein and MB&F emerged the HM2.2 "Black Box" limited edition of just 8 pieces. Alain Silberstein's signature colors and fun shapes don the subdials and indicators whilst the movement is all MB&F. The watch case is crafted from black PVD coated titanium and silicium.


The HM2-CTi combines Titanium and Ceramic, both materials harboring extreme resilience and versatility.

MB&F's latest micro machine reveals the movement beneath the watch case. The MB&F HM2-SV (Sapphire Vision), provides an in depth look at the movement of the dial aided by a sapphire crystal plate. Two domed sapphire crystals protect the dials. The exquisite blue components lend a futuristic appearance to the HM2-SV.

MB&F's team work in unison to blend artistry, technology, metallurgy and superb watch craftsmanship.