New MB&F LM Perpetual Stainless Steel and Salmon Dial The revolutionary QP comes in pink and a new case material.
The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual (or LM Perpetual) is one of the best examples of what independent watchmakers and friends can achieve. For years, MB&F has been a brand dedicated to fostering a love of timepiece mechanics, with a retro-futuristic look inspired by founder Max Busser's childhood space-age fantasies and comic book heroes. In 2011, MB&F launched the first Legacy Machine, with a classic (yet innovative) lacquered dial, Roman numerals and central flying balance wheel. For many, the transition came as a surprise, but it quickly became enjoyable. The LM series is a tribute to 19th-century watchmakers and their outstanding inventions. Just over ten years since its launch, the LM series has reached the top of the horological Olympus with a number of unique movements and multiple GPHG awards. First launched in red gold and platinum in 2015, LM Perpetual has since added seven more in white gold, titanium, yellow gold and palladium. Now, the collection is joined by a handsome and desirable steel model with a salmon-coloured dial.
The new timepiece features the same 44 mm diameter case as the rest of the collection, but for the first time in stainless steel and features the ergonomic correction pusher found in the Evo version. The case is complex; it consists of 69 parts and is water resistant to 30m. The standard configuration is blue steel pointer. The four silver subdials (for the time, day, month and date) are made of multi-layer lacquer, which is also a traditional feature of the LM series. The sub-dials sit on hidden studs and appear to be suspended in the air like a balance wheel. This stainless steel version features a salmon colored main plate as the backdrop for the spectacular display, a new combination from MB&F, not just the LM series - and you know at MONOCHROME we love steel watches with salmon dials…
The transparent case back allows you to admire the movement; it is exquisitely hand-finished in the style of the 19th century, emphasizing the craftsmanship of hand-engraving. The in-house hand-wound movement consists of 581 components, with a double barrel providing a power reserve of 72 hours and beating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour.
The friend who made the revolutionary LM Perpetual possible was watchmaker and movement prototyper Stephen McDonnell. He designed the perpetual calendar system with an innovative "mechanical processor" to avoid the usual functional problems of the classic QP. His creation was trouble-free and user-friendly, incorporating LM's signature 14mm flywheel in the center of the dial. Macdonald achieved the latter by separating the pallet fork and escape wheel from the balance, splitting the escapement into two parts and connecting them by a long 11.78 mm balance rod. MB&F implemented this innovative technical solution with the Legacy Machine Split Escapement, but that's another story.
While many other LM Perpetual models are limited editions, the new MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual stainless steel watch is not. The new watch is equipped with a brown alligator leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp. The combination of steel and salmon might appeal to so-called watch investors, and until that crowd flocks, true watch collectors should consider getting a head start. Very cute indeed!
Technical Specifications – MB&F LM Perpetual Stainless Steel and Salmon Dial Case: Diameter 44 mm x Thickness 17.5 mm - Stainless steel, brushed and polished - Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides - Water resistant to 30 m Dial: Skeletonized with salmon-coloured base - Center mounted balance wheel - 4 suspended subdials showing day, date, month, hours and minutes - Power reserve indicator and retrograde leap year at 4 and 7 o'clock Location Movement: Fully integrated hand-wound perpetual calendar movement developed by Stephen McDonnell for MB&F - 72 hours power reserve - 18,000vph - 581 components - hours, minutes, day of the week, date, month, retrograde leap year and power reserve indication Strap: Hand-stitched brown alligator leather with stainless steel folding clasp