MB&F is opening its first Lab in the United States.
The concept was first introduced to the UK within Watches of Switzerland’s flagship showroom on London’s Regent Street.
MB&F Labs present both the indie’s wristwatches and its sought after Horological Machine sculptures.
The first Lab in America will be run in partnership with Westime, one of the most prestigious family-owned watch retailers in California.
No firm date has been set for the opening, but Westime says it will be in the autumn.
A spokesperson for MB&F confirmed the news, and revealed that a manager for the Lab has already been recruited.
MB&F has been making around 250 finished watches per year, but this is expected to 350 last year, might hit 420 this year and maybe 500 in 2024, the watchmaker’s owner and creative director Max Büsser told WatchPro earlier this year.
The direction of travel for MB&F, in common with many low volume independents, is to operate through fewer points of sale, with a preference for upgrading them to the Lab concept.
Mr Büsser is also keen to stress that his horological creations will remain rare, and his philosophy is to reward his most loyal customers (retail partners and clients) with preferential treatment.
“We want to be good to customers who have been with us for many years,” he tells WatchPro.
Watches of Switzerland is the watchmaker’s only point of sale in the UK, but there are six, besides Westime, in the United States.
