iW Magazine Summer 2019 | Page 36

BOUTIQUE MB&F HM7 Platinum Red Aquapod MB&F’s jellyfish-inspired Horological Machine No. 7 Aquapod re-surfaces with a new plati- num case, a clear sapphire tourbillon bridge and newly sculpted titanium numerals. With these alterations, the HM7 Platinum Red appears lighter than the 2018 green-bezel edition and the debut examples in blue and black. While technically weightier than the earlier titanium-cased models, this premier plat- inum-cased HM7 is designed to project ‘floating’ numerals more fitting to jellyfish than even the original design from 2017. That clarity extends to the sixty-second flying tourbillon at the center, which is now fully visible thanks to MB&F’s switch from metallic titanium battle axe bridge to a clear sapphire bridge. The technical profile of the MB&F HM7 Aquapod remains as it was when it debuted. The vertically arranged movement with, from bottom to top, the winding rotor, mainspring barrel, hour and minute indications, and flying 60-second tourbillon, is concentrically mounted around the central axis. Hours and minutes are supported by specially developed oversized ceramic ball bearings. The left crown winds the movement if needed and the right-side crown is for setting the time. Fitted with a platinum case, bezel and buckle, the MB&F HM7 Platinum Red will be made in a limited series of 25 pieces, each presented with three interchangeable straps (red, white and black) in aircraft-grade rubber. Price: $165,000. IW RATING Design: 9 (out of 10) From the sea to your wrist. Innovation: 9 Cutting edge on many fronts. Finissage: 8 Superior job, on both sides. Legibility: 7 Takes a bit of getting used to. Rarity: 8 Only twenty-five in platinum will be made. Value: 8 The precious metal enhances the design. Overall iW rating: 49 (out of 60) 36 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2019