Echoing its own contrasting approach to design, MB&F is growing its affordable M.A.D. Editions with the addition of the more conventional M.A.D.2. Conceived by Eric Giroud, a longtime designer who designed the very first MB&F watch, the M.A.D.2 has a 42 mm round case that contains a self-winding movement with a bidirectional jumping hour.

Modelled on a DJ’s turntable, the M.A.D.2 debuts in two variants. Orange is available only to MB&F owners, otherwise known as “The Tribe”, as well as “Friends”, associates and partners of the brand. Green will be available to the public and sold via an online raffle as was the case for earlier M.A.D. Editions.

Initial thoughts

Two things stand out about the M.A.D.2. One is that it’s a fairly conventional round watch, as opposed to the more exotic style of the M.A.D.1. This is a logical evolution of the affordable-MB&F concept since it echoes the segmentation of MB&F’s own catalogue between the sci-fi Horological Machines and classical Legacy Machines.

The second notable aspect is that it’s Swiss made like the recent M.A.D.1S; the base movement is La Joux-Perret G101 while the jump hour module is also Swiss according to MB&F. In contrast, the original M.A.D.1 was assembled in Switzerland with imported components, including a low-cost Miyota base movement (however, the Swiss G101 is actually based on a Miyota construction). While being “Swiss made” doesn’t make it a better watch or necessarily mean every component is made in Switzerland, it does give it a little bit more cachet.

The watch itself looks more conventional than its predecessor, though it has similar dimensions. The case is large at 42 mm by 12.3 mm, but it was definitely designed to stand out. Visually I find it less interesting than the M.A.D.1, but the M.A.D.2 is arguably a better watch because it is higher spec. Amongst other things, it feature a bidirectional jumping hour, which is a tangible upgrade to the base movement.

Visible through the back is the G101 movement with its oversized rotor

Turntable style

The 42 mm steel case of the M.A.D.2 has rounded surfaces and edges which, according to MB&F, were inspired by a 1990s design of Mr Giroud’s that never made it into production.

The M.A.D.2 is essentially a regulator-style watch with the hours and minutes separated into registers. Hours are on the right counter, while minutes are on the left, with each indicated by a pointer shaped like a guitar pick.

The hours are jumping, so the hours disc jumps forward one step at the top of each hour. Minutes on the other hand, are dragging, so the minute continuously rotates. Notably, the jump hour can be set forwards and backwards. In contrast, most traditional jump hour mechanisms can only be set forwards, though such mechanism are typically larger and more complex digital-style displays in a window.

As with the M.A.D.1 and several MB&F watches, the M.A.D.2 employs a rotor that’s part of the design. Reworked to be substantially wider than the base movement, the rotor is visible from the dial. It’s decorated with Super-Luminova dots that create a spinning illumination effect in the dark.

Key Facts and Price

MB&F M.A.D.2 by Eric Giroud

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 12.3 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: La Joux-Perret calibre G101 with jump hour module
Functions: Hours and minutes
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 64 hours

Strap: Leather strap with folding buckle

Limited edition: No, but orange only available to “The Tribe” while green is available to the public via raffle
Availability: Only via raffle that will open from April 1, 2025 for one week
Price: CHF2,900 excluding taxes

For more, visit the raffle page.