MB&F LM101 Longhorn and M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary Editions

In a move that sidesteps conventional anniversary celebrations, MB&F is marking its 20th year not with a wide commercial release, but with an act of gratitude aimed squarely at its dedicated followers. The brand, known for its kinetic sculptures that also happen to tell time, is offering twenty unique timepieces through an unprecedented raffle system. This celebration centers on two specially created models: ten pieces of a new LM101 Longhorn and ten pieces of a M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary Edition. These watches are not for sale; they are prizes, destined for the wrists of the lucky few who have supported the brand's journey over the past two decades. This approach reinforces the company's ethos, which has always prioritized community and collaboration as much as the mechanical art it produces.



The giveaway is structured to thank two distinct but related communities. The first group is "The Tribe," the official name for the owners of MB&F's Horological and Legacy Machines. All registered Tribe members are automatically entered into a draw for one of the ten LM101 Longhorn 20th Anniversary pieces. The second raffle acknowledges the broader circle of enthusiasts who have participated, often without success, in the draws for the M.A.D.Editions watches. Their names will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of the ten M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary models. Both raffles, scheduled for October, will be supervised by a bailiff to ensure complete fairness, turning the acquisition of these rare pieces into a matter of pure chance.



Maximilian Büsser, the founder and creative force behind MB&F, has often spoken about the brand as a collective endeavor. This 20th-anniversary gesture is a tangible expression of that philosophy. He has noted that during the brand's early "survival mode" years, the capacity for such generosity was limited. Now, two decades on, the anniversary provides an opportunity to give back to the entire ecosystem that has enabled MB&F's success. This includes not just the collectors and fans, but also the internal team and the network of independent artisans, or "Friends," who have been instrumental in transforming Büsser's imaginative concepts into mechanical reality.



The story of MB&F—Maximilian Büsser & Friends—is one of radical departure from industry norms. Founded in 2005 after Büsser left his role as Managing Director at Harry Winston, the company was established as the world's first "horological concept laboratory." The goal was not simply to make watches, but to create three-dimensional kinetic art. This vision was realized through collaborations with talented independent professionals whom Büsser respected. It was a model built on transparency and mutual credit, a stark contrast to the often-secretive supply chains of the larger watch industry. The "F" for Friends was, and remains, a foundational pillar of the brand.



The brand’s creative output has historically been divided into two main families. The first, Horological Machines (HMs), began with the HM1 in 2007. These are avant-garde creations, often drawing inspiration from science fiction, aviation, and automotive design. They are sculptural and unconventional, telling time in ways that challenge traditional horological displays. In 2011, MB&F introduced the Legacy Machine (LM) collection. These round-cased watches pay homage to 19th-century watchmaking, reinterpreting historical complications through a contemporary lens. While more classical in form than the HMs, they retain MB&F's signature three-dimensionality, most notably through elements like suspended balance wheels.



One of the most significant developments in the MB&F universe was the birth of a parallel brand, M.A.D.Editions. It began not as a strategic business plan, but as an internal project during the global slowdown of 2020. The idea was to create a more accessible timepiece to thank the Friends and Tribe members. The result, the M.A.D.1, was offered to a small group and generated an unexpectedly massive public response. The demand was so overwhelming that it led to the formal creation of M.A.D.Editions, which allocates its limited production runs through a raffle system. The brand has since become a phenomenon in its own right, even winning a GPHG award, and represents a more democratic, yet equally daring, expression of mechanical art.



Both of the new 20th-anniversary watches share a unified aesthetic: stainless steel cases with a silver, black, and blue color scheme. This palette connects them to other anniversary releases like the LM Sequential Flyback and LM Perpetual Longhorn Editions. The "Longhorn" designation on the LM101 is a key part of its identity. This name refers to the elongated, gracefully curved lugs that attach the case to the strap. This design feature is exceptionally rare in MB&F's catalog, having appeared on only three previous occasions, all for very special pieces, including a Pièce Unique for a charity auction. Its use here immediately signals the exclusivity of this anniversary edition.



The LM101 Longhorn 20th Anniversary presents a powerful visual statement within its 40mm stainless steel case. The dial plate is finished with a luminous sunburst rhodium plating that radiates from the center, creating a dynamic play of light. This silvery surface provides a stark backdrop for two black, lacquer-like sub-dials. The larger one at the upper right displays the hours and minutes with elegant blue hands, while a smaller dial at 6 o'clock indicates the remaining power reserve. The entire composition is protected by a high, domed sapphire crystal that rises dramatically from the bezel, giving the watch a bubble-like profile and enhancing the three-dimensional quality of the dial architecture.



Dominating the dial, and indeed the entire Legacy Machine concept, is the immense "flying" balance wheel. In the LM101 Longhorn, this bespoke 14mm rhodium-plated wheel is suspended high above the movement and sub-dials by an arched, mirror-polished bridge. Its slow, hypnotic oscillation at 18,000 beats per hour (2.5Hz) serves as the mechanical heartbeat of the watch, made visible for the owner to appreciate. This feature, a hallmark of the collection, transforms a fundamental component of timekeeping into a captivating piece of kinetic sculpture, floating in the space between the dial plate and the crystal.



The movement inside was developed in-house by MB&F, with its aesthetic design and finishing specifications overseen by the celebrated independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. This collaboration ensures a level of hand-finishing that respects 19th-century traditions. Details include superlative polishing on bevels, meticulously applied Geneva waves, gold chatons with polished countersinks, and handmade engravings. The manual winding movement, powered by a single mainspring barrel, provides a power reserve of 45 hours. Comprising 229 components and 23 jewels, it is a testament to both modern engineering and classical craftsmanship.



The case of the LM101 Longhorn is constructed from 316L stainless steel, measuring 40mm in diameter and 16mm in height, a dimension largely due to the domed crystal. It offers a water resistance of 30 meters. The case back features a box sapphire crystal, also with anti-reflective coating, which provides a clear view of the exquisitely finished movement. On this crystal is a special silver pad printing for the anniversary: the phrase "Fortune Favours the Bold." This motto serves as a poignant reminder of the risks taken to launch and sustain MB&F, and it neatly ties into the element of luck inherent in the celebratory raffle. The watch is paired with a light brown leather strap and a stainless steel folding buckle.



The M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary Edition translates the celebratory color scheme onto a very different horological canvas. Based on the latest M.A.D.1S iteration, it features a slimmer 42mm stainless steel case and a unique time display. Instead of hands, time is indicated on two revolving aluminum alloy cylinders—one for hours, one for minutes—that are visible on the side of the caseband. For this special edition, the cylinders are decorated with Roman numerals, a first for any M.A.D.Editions model, adding a touch of classicism to the otherwise futuristic design. A new blue ring is visible beneath the bezel, subtly echoing the blued hands of its LM101 counterpart.



The most striking feature of the M.A.D.1S is its inverted movement construction. The winding rotor, typically hidden on the back of a watch, is placed front and center on the dial side. Crafted from titanium and tungsten, this triple-blade rotor spins energetically with the wearer's movements, providing a constant source of kinetic animation. The base movement is the Swiss Made La Joux-Perret G101, a reliable automatic caliber chosen for its robustness. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 bph (4Hz) and offers a substantial 68-hour power reserve. This clever re-engineering turns a functional component into the watch's primary visual attraction.



Aesthetically, the M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary is designed to be a direct companion to the LM101 Longhorn. The shared silver, black, and blue color palette creates a clear family resemblance. The case measures 42mm in diameter and 15mm in height, with a water resistance of 30 meters. It is fitted with a combination of mineral and sapphire crystals, all treated with an anti-reflective coating. The choice of the same light brown leather strap with a stainless steel folding buckle further solidifies the connection between the two anniversary models, lending a touch of refined warmth to the M.A.D.1S's industrial-cool aesthetic.



Just like its more complex sibling, the case back of the M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary bears a special engraving. The motto "Fortune Favours the Bold" is repeated here, reinforcing the central theme of the celebration. It speaks to the spirit of the M.A.D.Editions project itself—a bold gamble that paid off—and connects directly to the hopeful participants of the raffles. This shared inscription serves as a philosophical link between the two disparate worlds of MB&F: the high-horology of the Legacy Machine and the accessible, rebellious energy of M.A.D.Editions.



The path to acquiring one of these twenty timepieces is entirely outside the realm of traditional retail. They carry no price tag because they will never be offered for sale. The only way to obtain one is to win it. The ten LM101 Longhorn pieces are reserved for a raffle among registered Tribe members, with the winners being invited to Geneva to collect their new Machine directly from Maximilian Büsser at the MB&F M.A.D.House. This adds a personal and experiential layer to the prize, making it more than just the acquisition of a watch.



Simultaneously, the raffle for the ten M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary pieces will automatically include the thousands of watch aficionados who have previously registered for M.A.D.Editions raffles over the years. This gesture specifically acknowledges the patience and continued interest of a community that has faced long odds in past draws. It's a way of saying "thank you for being part of the story," even for those who have yet to own a piece from the M.A.D. universe.



This entire initiative is a powerful statement about MB&F's values. In an industry often focused on exclusivity and high price points, this 20th-anniversary celebration is centered on inclusion and serendipity. It prioritizes the brand's human connections over commercial transactions. By turning these limited editions into prizes, MB&F is rewarding loyalty and passion, reaffirming that the "Friends" in its name extends beyond the workshop to encompass everyone who has embraced its creative journey.



Ultimately, the release of the LM101 Longhorn and M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary editions is less about the watches themselves and more about the story they tell. They are artifacts of a 20-year journey defined by creative risk-taking, collaborative spirit, and a genuine appreciation for community. This raffle is a fitting tribute to that legacy, a celebration where luck, not purchasing power, will determine the next chapter for these twenty special timepieces. It is perhaps the most MB&F way imaginable to mark two decades of glorious madness.



MB&F LM101 Longhorn 20th Anniversary



Case: Stainless steel 316L; Diameter 40mm x height 16mm; Water resistance 30m / 3ATM; High domed sapphire crystal on top and box sapphire crystal on back with anti-reflective coating.

Movement: In-house developed manual-winding movement; Aesthetics and finish by Kari Voutilainen; 45-hour power reserve; 18,000bph / 2.5Hz frequency; 229 components, 23 jewels; Bespoke 14mm rhodium-plated balance wheel.

Dial: Sunburst rhodium-plated dial plate; Black sub-dials for hours, minutes, and power reserve; Blue hands; Large suspended balance wheel floating over the dial.

Strap: Leather strap with a stainless steel folding buckle.

Price: Not for sale. Awarded via a raffle to MB&F Tribe members.

Reference Number: Notes: 20th Anniversary edition limited to 10 pieces. Features rare long horn lugs. Special anniversary silver pad printing on the back sapphire crystal reads: “Fortune Favours the Bold”.





M.A.D.1S 20th Anniversary



Case: Stainless steel 316L; Diameter 42mm x height 15mm; Water resistance 30m / 3ATM; Mineral glass and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.

Movement: Swiss Made Manufacture La Joux-Perret G101, inverted; Unidirectional automatic winding; 68-hour power reserve; 28,800 bph / 4Hz frequency; 24 jewels.

Dial: Lateral time display on revolving cylinders for hours and minutes; First M.A.D.Editions model to feature Roman numerals; Prominent dial-side triple-blade rotor in titanium and tungsten.

Strap: Leather strap with a stainless steel folding buckle.

Price: Not for sale. Awarded via a raffle to previous M.A.D.Editions raffle participants.

Reference Number: Notes: 20th Anniversary edition limited to 10 pieces. Features a silver, black, and new blue colorway. Case back has a special anniversary engraving: “Fortune Favours the Bold”.