MB&F Evolves the LM101 into a True Daily-Wear Legacy Machine

Strengthened in form yet faithful in character, the EVO is built for everyday life.

MB&F

The Legacy Machine collection has consistently been MB&F's most contradictory series. Designed as an homage to 19th-century watchmaking, it showcases some of the most dramatic three-dimensional movements in modern horology. The LM101, launched in 2014, represented the most subdued manifestation of such concept. More compact, slender, and mechanically uncomplicated than its counterparts, it distilled the notion to its fundamentals while maintaining the suspended balance wheel that characterises the lineage. However, it was the brand's inaugural timepiece to incorporate an in-house mechanism. In this regard, it is quite significant. The LM101 has undergone evolution over the years, in aesthetics and materials, as well as technically, with the incorporation of a double hairspring. The forthcoming significant advancement for the LM101 was to perhaps establish itself as the brand's most utilitarian timepiece to date.

This is the context in which the EVO therapy is applicable. The LM101 EVO, introduced in 2025 to commemorate MB&F’s 20th anniversary, was deliberately reinforced for everyday use. Consequently, it renders the experience quite exceptional. The EVO concept encompasses a range of design and technical enhancements aimed at increasing the durability and wearability of MB&F watches in daily scenarios. The EVO treatment, introduced in 2020, features a redesigned, more water-resistant case with a screw-down crown, a proprietary FlexRing shock absorber, and an integrated rubber strap. It debuted with the hyper-complicated LM Perpetual, a groundbreaking perpetual calendar developed in collaboration with watchmaking expert Stephen McDonnell. The EVO approach was subsequently implemented on the LM Split Escapement in 2022 and again on one of MB&F’s most ambitious and intricately sophisticated chronographs, the Legacy Sequential EVO. It is now time for the brand's tiny Legacy Machine to evolve.

MB&F

THE CASE

The MB&F LM101 EVO case measurements are consistent at 40mm in diameter and 16.5mm in thickness; however, the wearing experience is markedly distinct. The case, constructed from titanium, is lighter and more accommodating on the wrist, particularly when combined with the integrated rubber strap. Notwithstanding the substantial sapphire dome necessary to accommodate the monumental balancing wheel, the watch remains securely positioned and feels comfortable on the wrist. The inclined lugs, notwithstanding the 49mm lug-to-lug dimension, contribute to the watch's optimal balance on the wrist.

The EVO enhancements are substantive, not only aesthetic. A water-resistance rating of 80 meters, a screw-down crown, and the brand's FlexRing shock-absorbing technology collectively alter the watch's performance in practical scenarios. This is the inaugural LM101 that requires minimal restraint from its user. Through consistent practice, one ceases to be concerned about it, marking a substantial transformation. With sufficient practice, one may effortlessly don the watch and derive enjoyment from it, which is a significant advantage.

THE DIAL

The dial functions primarily as an integral part of the movement rather than only a decorative element. The base plate, manufactured by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), is offered in salmon or a vibrant peacock green, the latter exhibiting dynamic colour shifts that respond significantly to ambient light and conveys a contemporary, if somewhat audacious, aesthetic. The sub-dials have been reconfigured to feature a black finish with delicate metallic borders, resulting in enhanced contrast. The time display at two o’clock features a new set of white gold hands and attached indices, while the power reserve indicator at six o’clock denotes the enhanced 60-hour autonomy. Legibility remains a secondary purpose; nevertheless, it is now more defined and less decorative than previously.

The focal point is the 14mm balance wheel, hanging beneath a mirror-polished double arch. The bridge has been enhanced, including smoother transitions at its base and a more streamlined design, like a sculpture. The escapement wheel features a subtle yet distinct MB&F distinctive battle-axe pattern, identifiable upon closer inspection.

THE STRAP

The incorporated rubber strap constitutes another key component of the "EVO package." Offered in grey or white, it is soft, ergonomic, and provides an exceptional fit for the case. It eliminates the specific formality linked to prior LM101 versions and emphasises that this watch is intended for everyday use. It features a titanium folding clasp equipped with spring-loaded blades, regarded as one of the finest in its category available on the market.

THE MOTION

The manually wound LM101 EVO calibre is an in-house creation, with its design and finishing standards supervised by Kari Voutilainen. It functions at 18,000 vibrations per hour and features a Straumann double hairspring, manufactured by Precision Engineering AG, a subsidiary of H. Moser & Cie, and incorporated in this iteration of the LM101.

The transition from a 45-hour to a 60-hour power reserve constitutes a significant enhancement. The winding appears intentional and regulated, facilitated by a slipping mainspring barrel. The caseback displays the movement's NAC-treated bridges, which are darker to enhance the EVO's athletic aesthetic. However, the quality of the finishing has not been compromised: substantial polished bevels, Geneva waves, gold chatons, and polished screws are all done to a standard that adequately substantiates the watch's status.

CONCLUSION

The LM101 EVO does not aim to replicate MB&F’s design. The objective is to rectify the discrepancy between form and function that has persisted since the inception of the Legacy Machines. By enhancing the durability of the LM101 while preserving its essence, MB&F has created a compelling everyday Legacy Machine.

Priced at CHF 62,000 before tax and manufactured in limited quantities, this is certainly not a trivial acquisition; it is not an item you wish to inadvertently or sporadically strike against the door frame. However, for individuals attracted to MB&F’s concept and previously reluctant to don a Legacy Machine in uncontrolled settings, the LM101 EVO presents a persuasive and pragmatic argument for its use. Additional details are available at mbandf.com.