Many watchmakers have embarked on a quest to make the perfect timepiece: a combination of beauty, reliability, creativity and accuracy, but none other than MB&F would end that journey (for now, at least) with the LM Perpetual EVO, a watch that brings tool watch practicality to haute horlogerie.
Legacy Machine Perpetual watches were first unveiled in 2015, earning MB&F a seat at the high table of artisan independent watchmakers.
Created by Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, the LM Perpetual Engine is still viewed as one of the most innovative perpetual calendars thanks to a mechanical processor that adds days of the month above the minimum 28 of a normal February, rather than skipping them when there are fewer than 31 days.
This process works just as well in leap years as all others and, according to MB&F, means there is no possibility of the date jumping incorrectly.
Fast forward to 2020 and MB&F made the LM Perpetual more stronger, lighter and more robust with the launch of three 44mm limited editions in zirconium, followed by a titanium piece.
They also both had a new monobloc shock-absorbing system and increased water resistance.
In a typically MB&F counter-cultural promotional message, the EVO is described, “not as a watch for sports, but a watch for life”.
MB&F is on track to make around 500 watches per year, but wants to ensure each piece is rare and hard to find.
That may explain why this year it is time to retire a 2021 EVO in a titanium case with green dial and replace it with a piece combining titanium with a light blue dial plate.
Functionality of the watch is unchanged, with its dial displaying hours, minutes, day, date, month, retrograde leap year and power reserve indicators under domed sapphire glass.
It is sold on a white rubber strap for CHF 168,000.
