Part 1: HM4 photo essay

Sep 09, 2010,01:18 AM
 


















































































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Some thoughts on the Horological Machine No. 4 from MB&F

 
 By: SJX : September 9th, 2010-01:05
The Horological Machine No. 4 is the most radical creation from Maximilian Busser, which is saying a lot given his track record. And based on anecdotal evidence gathering from collectors and potential buyers, the MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt has certainly elicite...  

Part 1: HM4 photo essay

 
 By: SJX : September 9th, 2010-01:18
...  

Thanks SJX

 
 By: aldossari_faisal : September 9th, 2010-08:08
nice post and such hot shots not only in the content but the quality as well . i do appreciate the HM4 to the maximum but i cant see it on my wrist unlike HM2 SV , or HM3 frog . Faisal

SJX thanks for the superb pix

 
 By: Quan : September 9th, 2010-21:32
Looks like it is only for the super "extremist" ....LOL

Incredible

 
 By: Geo : September 12th, 2010-21:27
I really have to see that watch in the flesh. Looking very attractive. GEO

Part 2: Launch of HM4 in Singapore

 
 By: SJX : September 9th, 2010-01:26
Max was in town to launch the HM4 a few weeks ago, together with retailer The Hour Glass. Several launch events were held, so as to keep each event small and personal. There were many MB&F owners amongst the guests, and also many with exotic rides. Ma...  

Your great shots of this piece...

 
 By: Rob : September 9th, 2010-05:58
will cause me many a sleepless nights to come. Have seen this in the metal and must say was quite impressed. BUT unable to commit to either buy or not right on the spot like prior experience with earlier machines. Could the two "normal" looking dials that... 

I disagree. I think the MB&F HM4 is similar in form

 
 By: 219 : September 9th, 2010-06:55
to the Parmigiani Bugatti watches. Agree that it looks like a pod-racer model, or I was more inclined to think of it as a tail fin light from a 59 Cadillac. Thunderbolt is more a term from that era - to my mind in any case. Great photos SJX Andrew H

You've got it.... Cadillac tail lights !

 
 By: DonCorson : September 9th, 2010-11:02
I can't wait to see the HM4 in the metal. Up 'til now I love the shots of the watch itself, but on the wrist... is it a wrist mounted infusion machine? Don

Not on my wrist

 
 By: SJX : September 9th, 2010-08:44
Only these....  

Here are some wristshots.

 
 By: foversta : September 12th, 2010-11:31
I met Max in Geneva, more to come later ! The HM4 on my wrist (pic taken by Max): Fr.Xavier...  

whatever one feels

 
 By: Hororgasm : September 9th, 2010-12:06
whether its pushing the boundaries and those who think its revolutionary or those who subscibe to an more "traditional" 2 dimensional interface approach to horology, i think one can safely say one and all or a vast majority would agree that its like a pie... 

1) derivatives/evolutions and 2) the black obelisk from Stan Kubrick

 
 By: bernard cheong : September 9th, 2010-21:12
I am now in Freaking Jakarta at 1045am, the shops are closed, and it's Hari Raya. I woke up at 4am to fly here. I read this post from SJX. This is a GREAT post with relevant points. Everyone knows I like Opus projects 3 and 5 and 6 (if I could afford the ... 

Why does the MBF4 remove exclusivity? Because:

 
 By: bernard cheong : September 9th, 2010-21:20
LESS expensive watches will be soon available, to the general public, that LOOK and HAVE the aesthetics of the HM4. What will remain is only the exclusivity of PRICE and STATUS...that's OK. Anyone is free to buy..say... an LV trunk or just a box. But the ... 

2 beautyful posts

 
 By: ChristianDK : September 9th, 2010-21:52
Thanks bernard. You make some really excellent points of explaining the importance and the "why's" of this piece. Very intersting posts that I will bookmark. Christian

Thanks Christian, I am bookmarking them too...must be the lack of sleep

 
 By: bernard cheong : September 9th, 2010-22:11
I don't think I can recognise myself writting like that...I was being honest, and tired.

Bernard, I can't really rebut what you have said!

 
 By: ling5hk : September 10th, 2010-16:57
Let time determine whether you are right or wrong about the new edge and exclusivity of MBF4. The test is 5 years - I think it is long enough. The time starts NOW! Regards Ling

Bernard, just at the point when I think you completely lost it...

 
 By: Ornatus-Mundi : September 12th, 2010-13:42
you post something that makes brutal sense, something enlightening, something of pure intellectual beauty. I just love you for that. Thanks for yet another eye-opener! Magnus

great posts Bernard...

 
 By: ocwatching : September 13th, 2010-15:01
very interesting points and I can certainly see your point... I will not be able to affort this piece but I can see its place in horology. great report SJX

Exclusivity as an excuse?

 
 By: SJX : September 10th, 2010-07:32
Outside of Japan, few people own a Grand Seiko, and even fewer own more than one. So that puts me in an exclusive club. Grand Seiko is certainly not exclusive because of price, it is so because of the intellectual barrier - snobbishness perhaps - that is ... 

Honestly.... I think your belief

 
 By: CL : September 10th, 2010-11:21
in GS makes it intellectually desirable. So I feel that it has to do with whom championing the brand. You and Bernard both have very positive impact to a brand as you both are passionately honest *CL

Kudos to you .....

 
 By: CL : September 10th, 2010-07:48
always a treat to read your thoughts Inspiring and useful in many ways more than just this hobby. Thank you. *CL

More on the "Black Monoliths"...maybe important if you are considering a big purchase

 
 By: bernard cheong : September 9th, 2010-22:44
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) was a landmark, science fiction classic, coincidentally, and it prophetically showed the influence that computers would have in our future lives. Director Stanley Kubrick's work is a profound film (a Rorschach blot). Spectacul... 

I am ready to make the plunge, but...

 
 By: cen@jkt : September 10th, 2010-03:12
am afraid there will be more variations/modificiation to the watch in the future ala HM2 and HM3. cen@macau

perhaps a all sapphire glass version too?? [nt]

 
 By: Hororgasm : September 20th, 2010-04:03
No message body

Mama told me not to come

 
 By: Mostel : September 11th, 2010-12:03
I'm hearing that Randy Newman song... 'this is the strangest party that has ever been...' And THIS??? Is.

Interesting thoughts, SJX.

 
 By: dxboon : September 11th, 2010-18:36
I must admit that I don't always "get" MB&F's designs, and they are in general a bit too avant garde for my taste. However, I applaud their efforts in pushing the boundaries of what we call "the watch." Without pioneers like MB&F I think the indus... 

Thanks a lot SJX for the comprehensive post.

 
 By: foversta : September 12th, 2010-11:33
I met Max in Geneva so I will also prepare something. Fr.Xavier