MB&F Horological Machine No8 Mark 2

MB&F, a name that resonates with audacious creativity in the high-end watchmaking sphere, has long cultivated a profound connection with the automotive world. This is not a mere marketing gimmick but a deep-seated passion stemming from the childhood dreams of its founder, Maximilian Büsser. This lineage of "driver's watches" finds its latest and most evolved expression in the Horological Machine No8 Mark 2. It stands as a culmination of over a decade of exploring the intersection of supercars and haute horlogerie, a journey that began with the HM5 in 2012 and has now reached a new pinnacle of technical and aesthetic refinement. The HM8 Mark 2 is an instrument that synthesizes the best elements of its predecessors into a singular, breathtaking form.



The story of MB&F's automotive-inspired timepieces is a fascinating chronicle of evolution. It began with the HM5, a watch that directly paid homage to the wedge-shaped supercars of the 1970s, particularly the Lamborghini Miura with its iconic louvers. This was followed by the HMX in 2015, a more compact and refined take on the theme, and the original HM8 ‘Can-Am’ in 2016, which channeled the raw, untamed power of the Canadian-American Racing Championship cars with its prominent roll bars. The HM8 Mark 2 learns from each of these ancestors. It inherits the sculpted, aerodynamic bodywork of the HM5, the more ergonomic and wearable proportions of the HMX, and the kinetic, mechanically transparent nature of the original HM8, where the movement, especially the winding rotor, is a key part of the visual spectacle.



At the heart of MB&F's journey into automotive-inspired watchmaking lies the personal narrative of Maximilian Büsser. Long before he became a luminary in the watch industry, Büsser’s unwavering dream was to be a car designer. From the tender age of four until he was eighteen, his world was filled with sketches of sleek, aerodynamic automobiles. The dream felt tantalizingly close when the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design opened a European campus near his home. However, the prohibitive tuition fees redirected his path towards a more pragmatic degree in engineering. Though he found his calling in watchmaking, that initial passion never faded. The automotive Horological Machines are, in essence, Büsser finally designing the cars of his youth, albeit on a much smaller, more mechanically intricate scale.



Visually, the HM8 Mark 2 is a tour de force of modern design, a supercar sculpted for the wrist. The latest iteration, a limited edition of 33 pieces, boasts body panels in a vibrant, shimmering purple. This isn't just a simple coat of paint; it’s a complex material science achievement. The color is derived from metallic pigments of mineral origin, similar to those used in the most exotic automotive finishes, which are blended into a translucent resin. This process imbues the bodywork with a spectacular depth and brilliance. The main chassis of the watch is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, providing a strong yet lightweight foundation. This structure is then enveloped by the stunning purple CarbonMacrolon® body panels, creating a dramatic and futuristic "double bubble" silhouette. The entire assembly is a seamless sandwich of metal, advanced composite, and intricately shaped sapphire crystal.



The defining feature of this horological series, and a central element of the HM8 Mark 2, is its unique time display. It is, first and foremost, a true driver’s watch. The time is not read from the top of the dial in the traditional manner but is instead projected vertically on the side of the case, facing the wearer. This allows the time to be checked with a mere glance, without the need to lift one's hand from the steering wheel. This feat of micro-engineering is achieved through a brilliant combination of mechanical and optical systems. The hour and minute discs of the movement lie flat, horizontally within the case. A set of high-precision prisms, meticulously crafted from sapphire crystal and featuring an integrated magnifying lens, captures the numerals, magnifies them, and projects the image 90 degrees to the vertical display.



The choice of materials in the HM8 Mark 2 speaks volumes about MB&F’s commitment to innovation. The body panels are made from CarbonMacrolon®, a composite material developed specifically for the brand. This advanced polymer matrix is injected with carbon nanotubes, which grants it superior strength and rigidity compared to traditional carbon fiber. Beyond its structural integrity, CarbonMacrolon® is remarkably lightweight—eight times lighter than steel—and versatile, capable of being polished, bead-blasted, or, as seen in this edition, colored to a spectacular finish. The creation of the purple hue involved a proprietary process, where metallic powders are carefully blended into the resin under precisely controlled conditions to achieve the desired aesthetic and technical properties.



The construction of the HM8 Mark 2 mirrors the architecture of a high-performance vehicle. It utilizes an independent, water-resistant chassis, a method distinct from the monobloc construction of some of its predecessors. This complex Grade 5 titanium chassis, which would be challenging to mill even in stainless steel, forms the robust skeleton of the watch. The expressive CarbonMacrolon® body panels are then affixed to this chassis, much like the bodywork of a supercar is fitted to its frame. This not only enhances the automotive analogy but also allows for the creative use of color and finish on the external panels, as seen in the white, British racing green, blue, and now the striking purple editions.



Beneath the sapphire hood lies a formidable engine. The HM8 Mark 2 is powered by a three-dimensional horological movement, composed of an in-house developed jumping hour and trailing minutes module that sits atop a Girard-Perregaux base caliber. This automatic movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and provides a power reserve of 42 hours. Comprising 247 components and 30 jewels, the engine is a testament to mechanical complexity. A key visual element is the 22-karat gold "battle axe" automatic winding rotor, visible through the top sapphire crystal. This iconic MB&F component is itself a marvel of production, with one of its blades measuring a mere two-tenths of a millimeter thick, requiring it to be stamped rather than machined.



MB&F has consistently pushed the boundaries of sapphire crystal manufacturing, and the HM8 Mark 2 is arguably its most ambitious creation yet in this domain. The "double bubble" sapphire crystal that covers the top of the watch is an object of extraordinary complexity. Its sweeping, dual-curved form is estimated to be 30 to 40 times more expensive and difficult to produce than a standard domed sapphire. The intense machining and polishing process carries an incredibly high risk of breakage, often occurring at the final stages of production. Only a single, highly specialized supplier was willing to undertake this challenge, making each successfully completed crystal a small miracle of manufacturing prowess. Despite its delicate appearance, once installed, it offers the same robustness as any sapphire crystal on a high-end sports watch.



Even seemingly simple components are re-engineered in the world of MB&F. The HM8 Mark 2 introduces a world-premiere crown system. Eschewing a traditional screw-down crown, it features an innovative mechanism that could be likened to a "double de-clutch" system from the automotive world. To operate the crown for winding or setting the time, you must first push it in and then rotate it three-quarters of a turn to release it. This unique system provides the dual advantage of creating a more streamlined case profile and adding an extra layer of security against accidental adjustments or water ingress, a genuinely practical innovation for an active-wear watch.



The functionality of the time display is a masterclass in optical physics and legibility. The bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes are displayed through the twin vertical windows. To ensure the numerals appear crisp and almost digital, they are not simply painted on discs. Instead, sapphire disks are coated with black metallization, with the numerals left clear. Super-LumiNova® is applied underneath the disc, resulting in a perfectly flat, even glow. A fascinating detail is that the numerals must be printed in reverse, as their image is flipped horizontally by the reflective prism before reaching the wearer's eye.



Completing the sporty and cohesive design is a high-quality white rubber strap. This choice of strap perfectly complements the vibrant purple of the case and the titanium elements, enhancing the watch's contemporary, athletic character. The strap is secured with a custom titanium tang buckle, ensuring both comfort and security on the wrist. This practical touch underscores the fact that while the HM8 Mark 2 is a piece of kinetic art, it is also designed to be worn and enjoyed.



The HM8 Mark 2 is offered in several striking colorways. The debut edition featured pristine white CarbonMacrolon® and remains in the permanent collection. This was launched alongside a 2023 limited edition of 33 pieces in a classic British racing green. In 2024, a high-gloss sapphire blue version, also limited to 33 pieces, was introduced. The latest release for 2025 is the spectacular HM8 Mark 2 Purple, again produced in a limited series of just 33 pieces, continuing the tradition of offering exclusive and vibrant options for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate both fine watchmaking and automotive artistry.



To fully appreciate the HM8 Mark 2, one must understand the philosophy of its creator. Founded in 2005, MB&F—Maximilian Büsser & Friends—is not a traditional watch company but a horological concept laboratory. Büsser’s vision was to deconstruct traditional watchmaking by collaborating with talented professionals ("Friends") to create radical, three-dimensional kinetic sculptures that also happen to tell the time. This has led to two distinct families of timepieces: the wildly unconventional Horological Machines and the more classically inspired (by MB&F standards) Legacy Machines, which reinterpret historical complications in a contemporary context.



The HM8 Mark 2 Purple is a powerful statement piece that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of MB&F. It is a machine born from a childhood dream, realized through cutting-edge technology and uncompromising craftsmanship. It seamlessly blends the visceral thrill of supercar design with the intricate beauty of a complex mechanical movement. For those who see watches as more than mere instruments for telling time, it is a wearable piece of mechanical art. The HM8 Mark 2 Purple is available as a limited edition of 33 pieces and retails for CHF 68,000.



Case: Grade 5 titanium with purple CarbonMacrolon® body panels; Dimensions: 47 x 41.5 x 19 mm; Number of components: 42; Water resistance: 30m / 90’ / 3atm; Sapphire crystals on top, front and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.

Movement: Three-dimensional horological engine with jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F, powered by a Girard-Perregaux base movement; Automatic winding with 22K gold rotor; Power reserve: 42 hours; Balance frequency: 28,800bph/4Hz; Number of components: 247; Number of jewels: 30.

Dial: Bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, displayed vertically by dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with an integrated magnifying lens.

Strap: White rubber strap with a titanium tang buckle.

Price: CHF 68,000 + VAT.

Notes: The purple edition is a limited edition of 33 pieces. Features a unique push-and-turn "double de-clutch" crown system. The case construction uses an independent water-resistant chassis with separate body panels made of colored CarbonMacrolon.