Independent watchmaking has never been about playing by the rules—at least not in the case of Maximilian Büsser. Since 2005, MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) has built one of the most distinctive identities in modern horology: unapologetically futuristic machines, avant-garde micro-engineering, radical materials, pocket-watch-inspired movements, and watches that look like kinetic sculpture for the wrist.
The EVO suffix means evolution—more durable, more ergonomic, more modern, and more practical for everyday life, even with MB&F’s dramatic design language.
So in 2025, this platform becomes the canvas for the brand’s anniversary expression.
The new LM101 EVO comes in a grade-5 titanium case—and this decision matters.
Something as mechanically complex as a floating balance wheel, dual subdials, and architectural bridges benefits from a case that does not feel overwhelmingly heavy. Titanium makes the LM101 EVO surprisingly comfortable, even for daily wear.
Earlier Legacy Machines had rigid lugs and were more delicate.
This is MB&F acknowledging that collectors don’t just want to admire their machines—they want to use them. Wear them. Travel with them. Live with them.
The LM101 EVO is the closest thing MB&F has ever made to a “practical” luxury watch. It’s still a piece of kinetic sculpture, but one engineered for motion.
Here is where the 2025 editions get more interesting: the dial plate is not merely a dial. It is a functional component of the movement itself.
That makes coloring it dramatically more difficult than, say, painting or lacquering a decorative dial. Traditional finishing techniques can warp the plate or interfere with tolerances. MB&F chooses CVD—Chemical Vapor Deposition—specifically because it creates:
This is a scientific, high-tech finishing method perfectly in line with MB&F’s identity: where art merges with engineering.
And that brings us to the color.
Salmon is one of the most prized colors in high horology, traditionally associated with special editions and highly limited releases across multiple Swiss maisons. But for MB&F, it is rare.
That rarity makes this 2025 edition especially desirable for collectors.
The shade is warm, metallic, and plays beautifully with titanium and the brilliant polished bridges. Under light, it shifts between rose, copper, and pastel gold.
In a world where MB&F often ventures into bold futuristic hues, the salmon edition feels unexpectedly classical—almost like a secret nod to traditional Swiss high watchmaking… except with a giant balance wheel floating above the dial.
The peacock green version is visually explosive. Thanks to CVD treatment, the surface refracts and shifts like a gemstone: green → blue → violet, depending on angle and light. It is hypnotic.
What makes this color special is not just the tone, but how it interacts with the suspended balance wheel. As the titanium bridge and polished components catch reflections, the dial becomes a living, breathing metallic landscape.
No two lighting conditions make the same dial look identical.
Collectors who want something vibrant, modern, and unmistakably MB&F will gravitate to the peacock green edition.
The suspended balance wheel is the star of every Legacy Machine. Instead of burying the regulating organ deep inside the movement, MB&F puts it on top of the dial, suspended under a sculpted bridge. Watching it move is mesmerizing. The wheel beats, pulses, breathes like a living heart.
No brand in modern horology presents mechanical energy with this much theater.
Both are crafted from domed white lacquer, with a porcelain-like appearance, and blued or polished hands depending on the version.
The asymmetry is intentional. It gives the dial depth and motion—not unlike the shifting color of the CVD plate beneath it.
The movement deserves its own chapter. While MB&F engineered the architecture, the finishing philosophy and aesthetic guidance come from Kari Voutilainen, one of the most respected names in high horology.
That combination—MB&F’s futuristic design with Voutilainen’s traditional finishing—is what gives the LM101 EVO its unique identity: modern mechanics with an old-world soul.
The movement is manual-wind, beautifully visible through the sapphire caseback, and offers a 60-hour power reserve.
At 40mm, this is one of the small MB&F watches along with SP One which encased in a 38mm. The titanium case, the integrated rubber strap, and the EVO shock-absorbing system make this arguably the most comfortable MB&F to wear daily.
Unlike most haute horology sculpture pieces—delicate, precious, and sometimes impractical—the LM101 EVO is engineered for reality:
The watch feels sporty without sacrificing artistry. It looks futuristic without being flashy. It is MB&F for people who actually want to wear their MB&F.
MB&F is one of the most important independent maisons of the 21st century. A 20th anniversary piece, with an in-house movement, CVD dial, and titanium case, will speak to anyone building a serious collection.
The suspended balance wheel, hand finishing, and classical mechanics appeal to purists.
No one has ever looked at a Legacy Machine and asked, “Is that a Rolex?” This watch starts conversations instantly. It’s kinetic art for the wrist.
Lightweight titanium, shock-absorbing case construction, and 40mm sizing make this one of the most wearable haute-horology creations in the world.
This isn’t just about color. It’s about engineering. Because the dial plate is part of the movement, MB&F can’t simply paint or anodize it. CVD—Chemical Vapor Deposition—provides:
This is the same technology used in aerospace, semiconductor fabrication, and advanced optics. It is another example of MB&F merging science and art in a way few watchmakers even attempt.
Twenty years is a major milestone—not just for MB&F, but for independent watchmaking. When MB&F began in 2005, haute horlogerie was dominated by major maisons. Independents existed, but very few dared to be radical.
For collectors, this anniversary edition will likely be remembered as one of the defining LM models of the decade.
Unlike MB&F’s Horological Machines (HM4, HM6, HM8, etc.), the LM101 EVO is more subtle. It doesn’t explode off the wrist with multiple indications or complex case shapes. It is wearable art disguised as a traditional wristwatch.
Compared to LM Perpetual, LM Split Escapement, or LM Thunderdome, the LM101 EVO is simpler—but emotionally just as powerful. It’s the MB&F you wear every day, not just for special occasions.
This is a watch that will not sit in stores. Collectors and enthusiasts of indie watchmaking are already paying attention.
The MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO in titanium—with salmon or peacock green dial plate—is exactly what a 20th anniversary watch should be:
There is no gimmick here. No unnecessary complication. No attempt to shock for the sake of shocking. Instead, MB&F celebrates two decades of wild watchmaking by distilling their philosophy into something pure and essential:
In an era of over-designed luxury, the LM101 EVO is a quiet revolution—one that beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour, suspended in mid-air, like a mechanical heartbeat.
If MB&F began as a brand for dreamers, the LM101 EVO proves those dreams have matured. And they’ve never been more beautiful.
So when MB&F hits its 20th anniversary in 2025, expectations are high. And instead of building something larger, louder, or more bizarre, MB&F does something surprising:
Enter the MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO—an evolution of one of their most wearable, most traditional families. Only, “traditional” is relative, because nothing about this machine is ordinary.
For 2025, MB&F unveils two new LM101 EVO editions, cased in titanium, each featuring stunning CVD-treated dial plates in either salmon or peacock green.
This is not just a new color or commemorative inscription. It’s a technical, visual, and conceptual refinement of an already iconic MB&F design. It is a celebration of the brand’s DNA: genius engineering disguised as art—and art disguised as a wristwatch.
This review explores the watch in depth: design, mechanics, finishing, wearability, materials, colors, history, and why this LM101 EVO might become one of the most significant anniversary pieces MB&F has ever made.
To understand the 2025 release, you must understand what sets the LM101 apart within MB&F’s universe.
While MB&F is known for Horological Machines—spacecraft-like watches, three-dimensional dials, bulbous sapphire domes—the Legacy Machine collection is different. It pays tribute to traditional watchmaking… but reimagined through MB&F’s creative lens.
They go smaller.
Simpler.
More poetic.
Enter the MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO—an evolution of one of their most wearable, most traditional families. Only, “traditional” is relative, because nothing about this machine is ordinary.
For 2025, MB&F unveils two new LM101 EVO editions, cased in titanium, each featuring stunning CVD-treated dial plates in either salmon or peacock green.
This is not just a new color or commemorative inscription. It’s a technical, visual, and conceptual refinement of an already iconic MB&F design. It is a celebration of the brand’s DNA: genius engineering disguised as art—and art disguised as a wristwatch.
This review explores the watch in depth: design, mechanics, finishing, wearability, materials, colors, history, and why this LM101 EVO might become one of the most significant anniversary pieces MB&F has ever made.
What Makes the LM101 EVO So Special?
To understand the 2025 release, you must understand what sets the LM101 apart within MB&F’s universe.
While MB&F is known for Horological Machines—spacecraft-like watches, three-dimensional dials, bulbous sapphire domes—the Legacy Machine collection is different. It pays tribute to traditional watchmaking… but reimagined through MB&F’s creative lens.
The LM101 EVO:
• is one of the smallest MB&F machines ever made
• is highly wearable at 40mm
• displays hours, minutes, a power reserve, and a massive suspended balance wheel
• features an in-house movement developed with legendary watchmaker Kari Voutilainen
• is engineered for real-world daily use, unlike earlier artistic LM models that were more delicate
The EVO suffix means evolution—more durable, more ergonomic, more modern, and more practical for everyday life, even with MB&F’s dramatic design language.
So in 2025, this platform becomes the canvas for the brand’s anniversary expression.
Titanium Case: A Modern Engineering Choice
The new LM101 EVO comes in a grade-5 titanium case—and this decision matters.
Titanium is:
• lighter than steel
• resistant to corrosion
• hypoallergenic
• able to achieve sharp, high-polish and satin finishes
• one of the strongest lightweight metals used in modern horology
Something as mechanically complex as a floating balance wheel, dual subdials, and architectural bridges benefits from a case that does not feel overwhelmingly heavy. Titanium makes the LM101 EVO surprisingly comfortable, even for daily wear.
Ergonomic Evolution
Earlier Legacy Machines had rigid lugs and were more delicate.
The EVO is different:
• redesigned case architecture
• integrated rubber strap
• FlexRing shock-dampening system inside the case
• improved water resistance
This is MB&F acknowledging that collectors don’t just want to admire their machines—they want to use them. Wear them. Travel with them. Live with them.
The LM101 EVO is the closest thing MB&F has ever made to a “practical” luxury watch. It’s still a piece of kinetic sculpture, but one engineered for motion.
Dial Plate as Part of the Movement—Not Just Decoration
Here is where the 2025 editions get more interesting: the dial plate is not merely a dial. It is a functional component of the movement itself.
That makes coloring it dramatically more difficult than, say, painting or lacquering a decorative dial. Traditional finishing techniques can warp the plate or interfere with tolerances. MB&F chooses CVD—Chemical Vapor Deposition—specifically because it creates:
• microscopic precision
• uniform color
• ultra-thin layering
• long-term stability
• resistance to UV fading
This is a scientific, high-tech finishing method perfectly in line with MB&F’s identity: where art merges with engineering.
And that brings us to the color.
Salmon or Peacock Green: Two Personalities, Same Gravity-Defying Architecture
The Salmon Dial Plate — Elegant, Rare, and Historically Significant
Salmon is one of the most prized colors in high horology, traditionally associated with special editions and highly limited releases across multiple Swiss maisons. But for MB&F, it is rare.
That rarity makes this 2025 edition especially desirable for collectors.
In a world where MB&F often ventures into bold futuristic hues, the salmon edition feels unexpectedly classical—almost like a secret nod to traditional Swiss high watchmaking… except with a giant balance wheel floating above the dial.
It is refined.
It is understated.
It is one of the most “grown-up” colorways MB&F has ever created.
The Peacock Green Dial Plate — The Daring Choice
The peacock green version is visually explosive. Thanks to CVD treatment, the surface refracts and shifts like a gemstone: green → blue → violet, depending on angle and light. It is hypnotic.
What makes this color special is not just the tone, but how it interacts with the suspended balance wheel. As the titanium bridge and polished components catch reflections, the dial becomes a living, breathing metallic landscape.
Collectors who want something vibrant, modern, and unmistakably MB&F will gravitate to the peacock green edition.
The Floating Balance Wheel: MB&F’s Most Iconic Design Element
The suspended balance wheel is the star of every Legacy Machine. Instead of burying the regulating organ deep inside the movement, MB&F puts it on top of the dial, suspended under a sculpted bridge. Watching it move is mesmerizing. The wheel beats, pulses, breathes like a living heart.
This transforms timekeeping from a function into a performance.
• The bridge is hand-polished.
• The finishing is mirror-sharp.
• The balance appears to float in space above the dial.
No brand in modern horology presents mechanical energy with this much theater.
Subdials: Time and Power Reserve, Elevated
The LM101 EVO features two off-center subdials:
• Hours & minutes at 2 o’clock
• Power reserve at 6 o’clock
Both are crafted from domed white lacquer, with a porcelain-like appearance, and blued or polished hands depending on the version.
The asymmetry is intentional. It gives the dial depth and motion—not unlike the shifting color of the CVD plate beneath it.
The Movement: MB&F Designed, Kari Voutilainen Refined
The movement deserves its own chapter. While MB&F engineered the architecture, the finishing philosophy and aesthetic guidance come from Kari Voutilainen, one of the most respected names in high horology.
This means:
• Hand-polished bevels
• Frosted bridges
• Engraved balance cock
• Deep countersinks
• Classical gold chatons
That combination—MB&F’s futuristic design with Voutilainen’s traditional finishing—is what gives the LM101 EVO its unique identity: modern mechanics with an old-world soul.
Wearability: The Most “Everyday” MB&F to Date
At 40mm, this is one of the small MB&F watches along with SP One which encased in a 38mm. The titanium case, the integrated rubber strap, and the EVO shock-absorbing system make this arguably the most comfortable MB&F to wear daily.
Unlike most haute horology sculpture pieces—delicate, precious, and sometimes impractical—the LM101 EVO is engineered for reality:
• sweat
• travel
• weather
• motion
The watch feels sporty without sacrificing artistry. It looks futuristic without being flashy. It is MB&F for people who actually want to wear their MB&F.
Who Is This Watch For?
For Collectors of Independent Horology
MB&F is one of the most important independent maisons of the 21st century. A 20th anniversary piece, with an in-house movement, CVD dial, and titanium case, will speak to anyone building a serious collection.
For Fans of Traditional Watchmaking
The suspended balance wheel, hand finishing, and classical mechanics appeal to purists.
For Those Who Want a Conversation Piece
No one has ever looked at a Legacy Machine and asked, “Is that a Rolex?” This watch starts conversations instantly. It’s kinetic art for the wrist.
For People Who Actually Wear Their Watches
Lightweight titanium, shock-absorbing case construction, and 40mm sizing make this one of the most wearable haute-horology creations in the world.
Why the CVD Dials Matter in 2025
This isn’t just about color. It’s about engineering. Because the dial plate is part of the movement, MB&F can’t simply paint or anodize it. CVD—Chemical Vapor Deposition—provides:
✔ atomic-level precision
✔ zero distortion of thickness
✔ high hardness
✔ longevity
✔ color that refracts without fading
This is the same technology used in aerospace, semiconductor fabrication, and advanced optics. It is another example of MB&F merging science and art in a way few watchmakers even attempt.
MB&F at 20: Why the LM101 EVO Matters Historically
Twenty years is a major milestone—not just for MB&F, but for independent watchmaking. When MB&F began in 2005, haute horlogerie was dominated by major maisons. Independents existed, but very few dared to be radical.
MB&F helped change that.
• They made 3-dimensional horology desirable.
• They helped legitimize micro-independents.
• They elevated watchmaking from craftsmanship… to mechanical sculpture.
In that historical context, the LM101 EVO represents something symbolic:
• A bridge between past and future
• A watch that honors classical craft while embracing new materials
• A machine that is daring, but wearable
For collectors, this anniversary edition will likely be remembered as one of the defining LM models of the decade.
Two versions share:
• in-house movement
• suspended balance wheel
• domed sapphire crystal
• EVO shock-absorption system
• 40mm sizing
• rubber strap
• traditional finishing
How It Compares to Other MB&F Creations
Unlike MB&F’s Horological Machines (HM4, HM6, HM8, etc.), the LM101 EVO is more subtle. It doesn’t explode off the wrist with multiple indications or complex case shapes. It is wearable art disguised as a traditional wristwatch.
Compared to the original LM101, the EVO is:
• more durable
• more ergonomic
• more water-resistant
• visually more modern
Compared to LM Perpetual, LM Split Escapement, or LM Thunderdome, the LM101 EVO is simpler—but emotionally just as powerful. It’s the MB&F you wear every day, not just for special occasions.
Why Collectors Are Taking Notice
Several reasons:
✅ 20th anniversary edition—important historically
✅ Titanium—light, modern, scratch-resistant
✅ CVD dial plate—rare in haute horlogerie
✅ Salmon and green are both high-demand colors in the market
✅ In-house movement and Voutilainen finishing
✅ Most wearable MB&F case architecture
✅ Extremely limited production potential (as with all MB&F pieces)
This is a watch that will not sit in stores. Collectors and enthusiasts of indie watchmaking are already paying attention.
Final Verdict: A Masterpiece of Mechanical Poetry
The MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO in titanium—with salmon or peacock green dial plate—is exactly what a 20th anniversary watch should be:
• It honors the brand’s legacy
• It advances the technology
• It refines wearability
• It shows restraint, elegance, and confidence
A balance wheel floating above a dial.
Time and power, cleanly displayed.
A case made for real life.
Art you can wear.
In an era of over-designed luxury, the LM101 EVO is a quiet revolution—one that beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour, suspended in mid-air, like a mechanical heartbeat.
If MB&F began as a brand for dreamers, the LM101 EVO proves those dreams have matured. And they’ve never been more beautiful.
[photo credit: www.mbandf.com]
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