MB&F Special Project One Platinum Watch

After 20 years of wild creativity, what if MB&F created an elegant 38mm watch? The MB&F SP One, initially dubbed "Three Circles", showcases a trinity of floating elements – the barrel, balance wheel, and dial – defying gravity on your wrist. These components appear to hover mysteriously at the centre of an amphitheater, all visible through invisible sapphire domes, with the balance wheel performing a mid-air dance and the tilted dial highlighting MB&F’s clever conical gearing. The SP One is a mechanical marvel that turns your wrist into a stage for a captivating, gravity-defying performance.

Encased in a 38mm pebble-like shell, the SP One melds a smooth, tactile feel with a bezel-free design and delicately detached lugs. As MB&F’s slimmest and smallest watch, it nonetheless remains true to the brand’s signature three-dimensional architecture and boundary-pushing spirit. Somewhere between MB&F’s radical Horological Machines and more classic Legacy Machines, the SP One inaugurates a new, undefinable “Special Projects” collection.

Initially code-named "Three Circles," the SP One movement is crafted around the three key elements of any mechanical watch: the barrel, the balance wheel, and the dial. Each component isn’t just there for show; they’re meant to feel like they’re floating in mid-air. Thanks to the sapphire glass on both the front and back, these elements appear to defy gravity. However, it’s the thoughtful architecture of the movement that truly enhances this captivating levitation effect, creating a striking visual experience. Embracing the "less is more" mantra, the bridges are almost like magic, practically invisible. Most components are cleverly hidden beneath the three key elements, letting their beauty take centre stage. The fewer bridges, screws, and wheels, the better! In fact, trying to spot a screw from the front is like searching for a needle in a haystack, amplifying that stunning levitating effect.

The single-barrel architecture is elegantly suspended, enhancing the levitation effect and presenting a genuine challenge for the movement designers. The balance wheel oscillates at 2 o’clock and captivates the wearer eyes like a flying saucer. In Max’s imaginative world, everything seems to float, and the dial perfectly follows suit! Tilted just right to highlight MB&F's expertise in conical gearing, this feature is a tricky feat to pull off while keeping it reliable. Rarely seen in watchmaking, it adds a wonderfully subtle three-dimensional flair that’s as intriguing as discreet. This technically complex to achieve architecture reveals a simple and unique structure that makes understanding how a mechanical watch functions surprisingly straightforward.

Surrounding this movement is what Max playfully dubs the “amphitheatre”: a beautifully bevelled flange that channels the grandeur of Greco-Roman theatres, spotlighting the stunning intricacies of the movement like a gladiator in the arena.nFlip the SP One over, and you'll uncover the other side of its arena, showcasing the meticulous hand finishing and overall attention to detail typical of MB&F – one of the rare watchmakers today perpetuating traditional hand finishing and artisanal craftsmanship.

The MB&F touch is unmistakably present in the SP One. Beyond the desire to surprise and take risks, it's the meticulous attention to the movement that reveals the family ties. The complexity lies in maintaining finesse and elegance while preserving classic codes. All wheels are hand-angled, with prominent chatons, and the finish balance is subtle between satin, polished, and micro-blasted surfaces.

The term "equilibrium" perfectly captures the essence of this Special Project. It breaks conventions while staying true to the brand's core identity and traditional craftsmanship, all while exploring new avenues.

In essence, a classical MB&F that has nothing classical about it.

Brand: MB&F
Model: SP One
Reference: MB&F SP One
Movement: Manual Winding
Material: Platinum
Size: 38mm
Dial: Black DLC
Bracelet/Strap: Tan Calfskin
Warranty: Manufacturer's 2 Year Warranty

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