The MB&F M.A.D.2: A Horological Secret Worth Discovering
In the world of haute horlogerie, few names command as much respect and excitement as Maximilian Büsser & Friends (MB&F). The independent Swiss watchmaker's latest creation, the M.A.D.2, continues the brand's tradition of pushing boundaries while making high-end watchmaking more accessible to enthusiasts. Designed by the legendary Eric Giroud, this timepiece offers a perfect blend of avant-garde aesthetics and mechanical innovation.
A Watch of Two Colors
The M.A.D.2 comes in two striking colorways that immediately catch the eye. The vibrant Orange edition is exclusively available to MB&F's loyal "Tribe and Friends" - the collectors and supporters who have been instrumental in the brand's journey. Meanwhile, the elegant Green edition is being distributed through a raffle system, giving hopeful enthusiasts a chance to own this exceptional timepiece without the typical premium markup associated with limited releases.
Source: MB&F
The Hidden Surprise
What truly sets the M.A.D.2 apart is its secret horological feature: a jumping hour complication. Unlike most watches where this would be a headlining feature, MB&F has tucked it away as something of a secret reward. It's a delightful discovery that reveals itself only after spending quality time with the watch—an intimate conversation between the timepiece and its wearer that develops over time.
Technical Excellence
The M.A.D.2 is housed in a 42mm stainless steel 316L case standing 12.3mm tall. Despite its bold presence, the watch offers practical water resistance of 30 meters (3ATM/90 feet), making it suitable for everyday wear. Both the top and bottom sapphire crystals feature anti-reflective coating, ensuring excellent legibility from any angle.
Under the hood beats a Swiss-made Manufacture La Joux-Perret calibre G101 base movement, enhanced with a bi-directional jumping hour and trailing minutes module specially developed by MB&F. This automatic movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and boasts an impressive 64-hour power reserve. With 24 jewels and a case fitting diameter of 25.6mm, the movement perfectly balances technical prowess with refined aesthetics.
Wearing Comfort
The timepiece comes fitted with a premium leather strap secured by a stainless steel folding buckle, ensuring both comfort and security on the wrist. This combination of materials complements the case perfectly, creating a cohesive design language throughout.
A New Design Direction
What particularly stands out about the M.A.D.2 is the fresh design approach it represents. While maintaining MB&F's distinctive DNA, Giroud has created something both innovative and wearable. The jumping hour complication, typically a feature that would dominate a watch's marketing narrative, is instead presented as an easter egg—a testament to MB&F's confidence in the overall appeal of the piece beyond its technical specifications.
Whether in vibrant orange or elegant green, the M.A.D.2 represents everything that makes MB&F special in the watchmaking world: innovation, exclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to horological artistry. Even if we couldn't secure one this time around, we'll be watching closely for the next opportunity to add this remarkable timepiece to our collection.
