MB&F updates their collection with a special edition of the Horological Machine 8 by adding a moon phase. Not any moon phase, but one in collaboration with the eponymous Stephan Sarpaneva. Presenting the MB&F Moonmachine 2.
This is not the first time MB&F have collaborated with Stephan Sarpaneva. The first time resulted in a very successful addition to the HM3 family. For more information on first Moonmachine, also a collaboration between Sarpaneva and MB&F, click here.
The Stephan Sarpaneva signature of the radial web on the rotor and the moon with his own facial features.
MB&F Moommachine 2
In this latest escapade, MB&F now updates the HM8 with a moonphase, and calls the resulting watch, the Moonmachine 2.
The watch plays on the principle of projection, just like moonlight does not really exist, as the moon does not give off any light of its own, but moonlight is actually sunlight reflected off the surface of the moon. The moonphase display is projected via a prism mechanism installed on what is basically a stripped down version of the HM8. The optical prism, which refracts the hours, minutes and moon discs in their flat positions to appear as if they are perpendicular to the engine. The prism is cut to magnify the hours and minutes by 20 percent for greater readability. But the moonphase display is not magnified as there is a risk of distortion. The case of MoonMachine 2 is 0.5mm thicker than that of HM8, to accommodate the additional moon disc, and has a pusher on the side for quick adjustment of the moonphase display.
The new MB&F Moonmachine2.
The battle-axe rotor of HM8 has been transformed into an openworked radial web of titanium, echoing the design vocabulary of Stepan Sarpaneva’s best-known work. The sapphire crystal pane framing the top of the MoonMachine 2 engine has been metallised in a similar pattern and draws focus to the variable sheen of the brushed titanium rotor as it rotates.
The rotor is easily identified as a Sarpaneva creation, with the open worked radial web and the signature Moon which is based on Stephan’s own face.
“Max and I have a very long friendship, and there is a lot of honesty between us. He pushes me to do better and gives me the most challenging projects. This time the challenge was to augment HM8, which is not easy. But it’s fun, and that’s why I say yes to any project with Max.”
Stephan Sarpaneva
MoonMachine 2 is available in three limited editions of 12 — one in full titanium with white gold moons and a light-blue sky, one in blackened titanium with white gold moons and a dark-blue sky, and one in red gold and titanium with red gold moons and an anthracite sky.
MB&F Moonmachine 2 Technical Specs and Price
– CHF 88,000 + VAT for the titanium editions
– CHF 95,000 + VAT for the red gold edition
Moonmachine 2 is based on a specially configured HM8; the projector moon complication was imagined, designed and created by Stepan Sarpaneva. It is available in three limited editions of 12 pieces each.
Engine
Three-dimensional engine conceived and developed by MB&F from a Girard-Perregaux base calibre, with moonphase complication by Stepan Sarpaneva
Automatic PVD coated titanium rotor with Sarpaneva gold moon
Power reserve: 42 hours
Balance frequency: 28,800bph / 4Hz
Number of components: 293
Number of jewels: 30
Functions/indications
Bi-directional jumping hours, trailing minutes and moon phase displayed by one optical prism that reflects vertically. The hour and minutes segments are magnified by 20%.
The dual moons rotate under a Korona ring and are corrected by a pusher.
Case
Three limited editions of 12 pieces each:
Natural titanium case, white gold moon faces, light-blue sky;
Black titanium case, white gold moon faces, dark-blue sky;
Red gold and titanium case, red gold moon faces, anthracite sky.
Dimensions: 49 mm x 51.5 mm x 19.5 mm
Number of components: 59 components
Water resistance: 30 m / 90′ / 3 atm
Sapphire crystals
All sapphire crystals – front, back, top, bottom – treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces. Top plate with special metallisation.
Strap & buckle
– Titanium version: Light Blue hand-stitched Black alligator strap with titanium folding buckle.
– Black Titanium version: Dark Blue hand-stitched Black alligator strap with titanium folding buckle.
– Red Gold version: Grey hand-stitched Black alligator strap with red gold and titanium folding buckle.
