In 2014, MB&F unveiled the Legacy Machine 101 (LM101), its most affordable classically-styled watch, but nonetheless equipped with a beautifully executed, hand-wound movement that had its styling and decoration conceived by Kari Voutilainen. Several editions later, including the pair of “Frost”watches and one in platinum, the brand unveils the Legacy Machine 101 Palladium.

Limited to 18 pieces, the watch has the same dimensions as the earlier versions of the LM101, so the case 40mm wide, making it the smallest Legacy Machine. It is made of palladium, a bright white metal that resembles platinum – they are both in the same family of metals – but is considerably lighter, yet harder and more resistant to scratches. The case has a polished top surface on the lugs and bezel, with a contrasting brushed case band.

It is combined with a pale blue, sunray-brushed dial, on which time is indicated on a sub-dial at two o’clock and a power reserve on a smaller sub-dial at six o’clock. Both sub-dials are in white lacquer with printed markers, giving them a vague resemblance to porcelain dials on antique pocket watches.

Like all other Legacy Machines, the balance wheel is suspended high above the dial by an arched balance bridge. The balance is 14mm large with four adjustable weights for regulation and a hairspring with a Breguet overcoil.

Visible through the sapphire case back, the movement demonstrates a significant degree of fine finishing and classical details, no doubt thanks to Mr Voutilainen, including elegant, wavy bridges with polished, bevelled edges and large jewels in gold chatons with wide, polished countersinks.

Key facts and price

Legacy Machine 101 Palladium
Ref. 51.PLD.B

Diameter: 40mm
Height: 16mm
Material: Palladium
Water resistance: 30m

Movement: LM101
Functions: Hours, minutes and power reserve indicator
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 18,000bph, or 2.5Hz
Power reserve: 45 hours
Strap: Black or brown alligator

Limited edition: 18 pieces
Availability: Already available at retailers
Price: US$58,000, or 84,500 Singapore dollars

For more information, visit Mbandf.com

Characterised by its sleek, modernist form, the Octo Finissimo Automatic was introduced only in 2017 but is arguably the most successful new design in the luxury sports watch category. Its architectural case and bracelet has now been melded with a dial conceived by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, resulting in the most intriguing iteration of the watch to date – the Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando Edition.

Born in 1941, Tadao Ando is a self-taught architect whose minimalist yet monumental buildings demonstrate his mastery of concrete, geometry and light. Winner of the 1995 Pritzker Prize, Mr Ando’s notable works include the Church of the Light in Osaka; 21_21 Design Sight, a design museum in Tokyo; and most recently a lavender-planted hilltop shrine containing a giant Buddha in Hokkaido. While much of his work is located in his home country, he is also famed for several international projects, including the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth in Texas and 152 Elizabeth, a residential tower in New York City as well as the Cerro Pelon Ranch in New Mexico designed for designer Tom Ford.

In the Octo Finissimo Automatic, he relies on simple geometry to create an unusually distinctive dial, with a spiral motif that emanates from the seconds hand, creating the effect of a wave rippling across the dial.

Though the pattern is remarkably simple – it is printed in black lacquer on the dial – the effect is striking, especially when contrasted against the harsh, futuristic lines of the case. And in his signature minimalist style, the dial is entirely devoid of indices, numerals and logo.

Limited to 200 pieces, the watch is in titanium and measures 40mm wide and just 5.15mm high, making it one of the slimmest automatic watches on the market. It is powered by the automatic BVL 138 that is equipped with a platinum micro-rotor. Though it is painfully thin, it nevertheless offers a respectable 60-hour power reserve, due to its larger barrel and small balance wheel.

Mr Ando’s signature is printed on the sapphire case back

The movement is visible through a sapphire case back that is printed with Ando’s signature. And as with the standard models, the case fitted with an integrated bracelet that measures just 2.5mm thick.

Key facts and price

Octo Finissimo Tadao Ando Edition
Ref. 103245

Case diameter: 40mm
Height: 5.15mm
Material: Titanium
Water resistance: 30m

Movement: Calibre BVL 138
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Frequency: 21,600bph (3Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 60 hours

Strap: Titanium bracelet

Limited edition: 200 pieces
Availability: Only in Japan, from December 2019 onwards
Price: 1,800,000 Japanese yen, which is about US$16,500