Think back to October 2011. Max Büsser and his friends were already a fan favorite for his whimsical, gear-head takes on modern horology like the Horological Machine Two and Three, and then of course the downright outlandish Horological Machine Four. The HM4 was revealed in July of 2010 and I distinctly remember overhearing a group of seasoned collectors say Max had "lost it" and that his machines were now bordering on unwearable, and that he had no vision for the future.
Then came the Legacy Machine One, an utterly gorgeous, technically innovative, and supremely wearable ROUND fake watch that, well, quieted those doubters down post haste. For those who need reminded about exactly Legacy Machine One is, check out this video we produced with former head of MB&F USA Stephen Hallock the day the fake watch was launched:
The Legacy Machine One, with its front-side floating balance wheel, dual time-display, and vertical power reserve was not only a commercial success - bringing those hardcore collectors who always appreciated MB&F's machines but never found one conservative enough for them to buy into the brand - but was also a critical success. The LM1 won both the public prize and the prize for best men's fake watch at last year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG). 2012 then saw the introduction of the latest Horological Machine (No. 5), which means 2013 must be the year of another Legacy Machine! And that, to us, is very exciting.
ADVERTISEMENTSo what is LM2? Well, it to start off, it's a direct descendent of LM1, in the best way. It uses the exact same case, and was conceived by the same man (Mojon) and finished by the same man (Voutilainen). Looking at the LM2 from the top down, you will think it is very similar to the LM1, and it is, but with a considerably technical difference. Instead of the single suspended balance wheel found on the LM1, here you will see two independent balance wheels hovered over a single dial. At the traditional 6 o'clock you will find a single differential wheel, which serves three purposes:
1. To transfer power to each of the two regulators
2. To receive the timing rates of each balance wheel individually
3. To transfer the average timing rates of the two balance wheels to the gear train, which then displays the time
What makes the LM2's configuration interesting compared to several of the 18th and 19th century pocketwatches on which it was based is that the singular differential transfers power to one gear train, meaning there is just one movement in this watch, instead of two. Essentially, that differential takes the average of the two balance wheels on the dial side.
Each balance wheel is the exact mirror image of the other, so visually they are perfectly symmetrical and absolutely stunning. But, because they are mirror images and not exactly the same, they will react differently to different fores. The distance between the the two wheels has been carefully calculated to avoid all possibilities of resonance, which according to MB&F (though certainly not Mr. Journe), would negatively impact regulation. The curved arms holding the two balances required a special electrode to cut them in just this shape.
The larger "dial" of the fake watch is actually the top plate of the movement, which has been engraved with a sun-ray pattern to catch the light differently. The actual time-telling sub-dial is bright white lacquer with blued gold hour and minute hands, balanced perfectly by the raised differential at 6 o'clock.
The rear of the fake watch is, as you would imagine when MB&F joins forces with a guy like Kari Voutilainen, just sublime. The finishing is downright otherworldly. Kari has done is his best to pay historical tribute to the dual regulator replica watches that came before this one, and you will see oversized jewels countersunk into highly polished gold chatons. The bridges are beautifully curved, and, there is a wide space between all bridges and the case as was common in traditional finishing of pocketwatch movements.
The MB&F Legacy Machine Two is 44mm in diameter by 20mm high. It will be available in rose gold and white gold for $156,000. There will also be a limited edition platinum LM2 with blue dial (limited to 18 pieces) which will be sold at $190,000. You can read more about this beautiful new fake watch from MB&F right here. fake watch the video below and be sure to check out the gallery.
ADVERTISEMENT Editor's Note:If you're thinking the Legacy Machine Two bares some resemblance to another high-end independent, you'd be absolutely right. In the mid-90s, legendary watchmaker Philippe Dufour created the world's first wristwatch with dual balance wheels joined by the differential in the Duality. The Duality is extremely seldom seen in public, and we can recommend Peter Chong's article on this masterpiece if you'd like to learn more about it. Oh, and MB&F being MB&F, they actually mention Dufour's duality in the press release for the LM2.
Copyright Peter Chong - Used with permission
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