Famed for his flamboyant and eccentric designs, Maximilian Busser of MB&F is perhaps one of the best-known watchmaking CEOs in the world of horology. While his incredibly keen eye for detail has helped establish MB&F at the zenith of watchmaking, it is no surprise that collectors around the world, who he calls the Tribe, have been drawn to his charismatic devotion to his collectors. Powered by this devotion, Max began designing a new timepiece in 2020 that would blend his incredibly unique design language with a price tag that would be far more palatable than what MB&F timepieces are usually accompanied by. Offered only to a small selection of MB&F’s most-valued collectors and friends, the M.A.D. Edition 1 is the result of that design process. Powered by a heavily modified automatic Miyota cal. 821A, the M.A.D. Edition 1 features a lateral time display and a titanium and tungsten triple-blade winding rotor that sits atop its case and spins incredibly fast above a blue aluminum ring. This is then matched by the blue aluminum ring that rotates around the case as the hour display, which features a grey minute ring beneath it which rotates the very same way. An incredibly personal piece of design from Max’s perspective and an incredibly cool-looking and rare timepiece from the wider-watch community’s perspective, the M.A.D. 1 is as rare a timepiece as it is unique, and this is the perfect opportunity to add one to your collection.

Launched in 2024 ahead of Geneva Watch Days 2024, the model that we have here is an improved version of the M.A.D.1, the M.A.D. 1S (S for “Slim”). Originally offered in two colorways, purple for MB&F’s “Tribe” and blue, which was available to the public via the same raffle system as previous M.A.D 1 models, the M.A.D. 1S was an immediate hit. Offered here we have the Yinka Ilori “Grow Your Dreams” limited edition M.A.D. 1S, that debuted in 2025 as a collaboration with Yink Ilori, the London-based British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer. Offered as a collection of three variants each limited to 400 units, the example we have here is the “Water” variant, with a predominately blue aesthetic. Featuring the same overarching design and time display as the M.A.D. 1, the M.A.D. 1S swaps the 18.8mm tall profile of the M.A.D. 1 for a much slimmer 15mm – a total saving of 3.8mm that makes the watch far more wearable. This was made possible by swapping the Miyota cal. 821A that powers the M.A.D. 1 for a new movement, the La Joux-Perret cal. G101, a movement that didn't exist when the M.A.D. 1 was launched.