Famed for their wacky designs, incredible engineering and fresh concepts, MB&F has become one of the most influential independent watchmakers in the world. Of course, like most MB&F timepieces, the HM2 is no ordinary watch, instead a truly wonderful celebration of horological passion and wonder. Taking inspiration from as far away from the world of horology as possible, the HM2 was inspired by “the space platforms of 20th-century science fiction novels.” Following such a unique source of inspiration, the HM2’s case had to be made with over 100 parts alone, of which make its flying buttresses, bolted portholes and sliding crown guard. With such a unique construction to deal with, Patrick Lété was tasked with making sure the HM2’s automatic movement would fit harmoniously inside of it, and what a job he did. On the caseback we can see the HM2’s green 22k gold ‘battle-axe’ automatic winding rotor, which you may recognise as a miniature version of what is in the M.A.D. 1. On the display side, the HM2 boasts a bi-hemisphere moonphase indicator at 9 o’clock and a jump hour/retrograde mechanism at 3 o’clock which combine with the construction to achieve an incredibly unique visual effect as the entire watch looks as though it came straight out of a science fiction film. Launched in 2011 and made of sapphire and titanium, the ref. 20.DSTBL.B that we have here was limited to just 18 pieces and serves as a wonderful celebration of MB&F’s desire to create watches unlike anyone else in the market.

An intensely unique watch, like so many of MB&F's designs, the HM2 pushed boundaries in a way that was completely new for the time. However, with its sapphire and titanium construction, the example we have here is somewhat more toned down than its sibling HM2 variants and thus easier to wear.