The very first HM3 Frog from 2010 already presented a significant advance in its time, with the twin domes in sapphire crystal over the indications of time. Not only did the curvature of the domed “eyes” have to be exactly right, the thickness of the crystal was strictly controlled throughout so as not to distort the time display.
In FrogX, the two sapphire domes are fused to the upper case body, itself also entirely in sapphire crystal, creating an additional level of difficulty. Machining and polishing each case of HM3 FrogX requires weeks of intensive and meticulous work, a number that would be multiplied greatly if not for MB&F’s 15 years of experience in boundary-pushing sapphire crystal design since 2005.
Like the vivid colours that nature endows upon its feistiest creatures, the FrogX is brightly coloured by day with its matching oversized rotor and gasket, and is luminous at night thanks to the Super-LumiNova on the fluorescent segments under the rotor and on the time display domes.
Those looking at the winding and setting crown of HM3 FrogX, expecting to see the usual battle-axe insignia, will be slightly baffled to find a smooth, highly polished disc (although exceptionally observant individuals may notice a slight irregularity in its reflection of light). At just the right angle, with just the right kind of directional light and just the right receiving surface, the final secret of the fully exposed FrogX is revealed. A secret signal, created by sculpting the metal crown at microscopic levels to allow it to reflect light in highly specific ways, is the key to unlocking the MB&F battle-axe.
To create this secret battle-axe signal, MB&F worked with light-sculpting techniques pioneered by Rayform, a Swiss company whose technology has various applications, from design to anti-counterfeiting measures.
After decades of conforming to the rules of corporate watchmaking, Max Büsser broke the chains and started a rebellion in 2005; a rebellion called MB&F - Maximilian Büsser & Friends.
MB&F is an artistic concept laboratory based around a simple idea: to assemble collectives of independent watchmaking professionals to develop radical watches - Horological or Legacy Machines. By nurturing teams of talented individuals, harnessing their passion and creativity and crediting each person's essential role, MB&F uses their synergy to become much greater than the sum of its parts. Respecting tradition, but never constrained by it, MB&F reinterprets traditional, high-quality watchmaking into three-dimensional kinetic sculptures.
While MB&F’s futuristic Horological Machines have a firm foundation in the very best of traditional horology, Büsser wanted to pay homage to that rich tradition by imagining the type of timepieces he might create if he had been born 100 years earlier, i.e. 1867 instead of 1967. This gave birth to the more classic Legacy Machine collection, initiated with Legacy Machine No.1.
After decades of conforming to the rules of corporate watchmaking, Max Büsser broke the chains and started a rebellion in 2005; a rebellion called MB&F - Maximilian Büsser & Friends.
MB&F is an artistic concept laboratory based around a simple idea: to assemble collectives of independent watchmaking professionals to develop radical watches - Horological or Legacy Machines. By nurturing teams of talented individuals, harnessing their passion and creativity and crediting each person's essential role, MB&F uses their synergy to become much greater than the sum of its parts. Respecting tradition, but never constrained by it, MB&F reinterprets traditional, high-quality watchmaking into three-dimensional kinetic sculptures.
While MB&F’s futuristic Horological Machines have a firm foundation in the very best of traditional horology, Büsser wanted to pay homage to that rich tradition by imagining the type of timepieces he might create if he had been born 100 years earlier, i.e. 1867 instead of 1967. This gave birth to the more classic Legacy Machine collection, initiated with Legacy Machine No.1.
Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht / Agenhor, powered by a Girard-Perregaux base.
Balance frequency: 4Hz (28,800 bph).
Battle-axe automatic winding rotor in 22k gold and titanium with blue, purple or turquoise CVD coating matching the case gasket.
Super-LumiNova segments under the battle-axe and on the hour and minute domes.
Hours and minutes transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to rotating domes.
277 components, 36 jewels.
Sapphire crystal case with gasket in blue, purple or turquoise matching the battle-axe rotor.
Domes, bezel and back with anti-reflective treatment on each face.
Water resistance: 30 m / 3 ATM / 90 feet.
“Secret message” created by sculpting the metal crown at microscopic levels to allow it to reflect light in highly specific ways, projecting the MB&F battle-axe icon (Rayform technology).
Hours on one dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours).
Minutes on second dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes).
48.3 mm x 52.7 mm x 17.5mm
Hand-stitched alligator strap with titanium custom designed deployment buckle.
Limited editions of 10 pieces in each color, celebrating HM3 Frog's 10th anniversary.
The MB&F Certified Pre-Owned label guarantees that the piece is 100% genuine and in perfect working condition, backed up by our 2-year unconditional warranty.
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