Review of the HM7 Aquapod Green produced by independent watchmaker MB&F. Price and specs of the Horological Machine N. 7 Aquapod with lot of live pics.
While in Milan, we could not miss a visit to GMT Great Masters of Time, one of the best places in Europe for fans of independent watchmaking where you can find pieces from Bovet, F.P.Journe, MB&F, Ressence, Urwerk, Voutilainen and other brands.
When visiting them, they had one of the fifty Horological Machine No.7 Aquapod Green produced by MB&F. Even if we already presented this unconventional timepiece last April, we took advantage of the opportunity to explore this model more in depth and take some pictures.
The HM7, as it is often referred to, is not a watch that can leave you indifferent, you love it or hate it. But for sure, everyone has to agree that this is a totally original piece of design. And, in fact, the HM7 expresses its appeal even when it is not worn, just left on the desk or in its special presentation box.
Inspired to the sea world and, in particular, to the radially symmetric design of jellyfishes, the Aquapod features a central engine, or movement, with a concentric architecture developed on more layers around the central axis. From bottom to top: winding rotor, mainspring barrel, hour and minute indications, and finally the flying tourbillon.
Comprised of 303 components, this unique movement beats at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) with a power reserve of 72 hours.
The continually rotating regulating organ is spectacular and can be appreciated even in poor light conditions thanks to three panels of AGT (Ambient Glow Technology) Ultra lume around the inside of the movement.
The choice of a flying tourbillon was deliberate as the upper bridge of a normal tourbillon would have necessitated the use of smaller, less legible time-display rings.
Displayed by two spherical segment discs in aluminium and titanium, the hour and minute numerals and markers have been handpainted in Super-LumiNova, making them also legible by night. The two large time display rings are supported by specially developed extra-large ceramic ball bearings which optimize rotation thanks to a very low coefficient of friction.
It is interesting to note that the numerals and markers have been hand-painted because the spherical discs are impossible to print neatly for their complex curvature.
The HM7 Aquapod has not a traditional case. Instead, two hemispheres of high-domed sapphire crystal, held together by a timanium case band, define a three-dimensional sandwich structure. Outside this structure, the unidirectional bezel seems to float wth two crowns in between: the one on the left is for winding the movement (if needed) and the crown on the right for setting the time.
The bezel is crafted from scratch-proof sapphire crystal with the green color and numerals deposited on the surface underneath.
Despite a diameter of 53.8 mm, the watch is extremely light and wraps the wrist comfortably thanks to the black aircraft-grade rubber strap and the movable lugs which allow the watch to better adapt to the wrist.
Of course, with its size and a thickness of 21.3 mm, this is not a watch that will slip under the cuff. And it would not make sense to hide it. The HM7 Aquapod is an eye-catcher and a conversation starter that asks to be shown.
The HM7 Aquapod is not a diving watch but thanks to its water resistance to 50 metres / 165 feet, it can be comfortably worn at the seaside without worries.
On the backside we find the winding rotor’s tentacles, machined from a solid block of titanium. Their curved, very three-dimensional nature is a real manufacturing challenge, both for machining and for finishing, which alternates between polished and satin-finished sections. Hidden underneath the lightweight titanium tentacles, a sector in much heavier platinum ensures winding efficiency.
One of the just 50 pieces produced by MB&F, the Horological Machine No.7 Aquapod Green has a retail price of Euro 100,000 before taxes. It is currently available at the Great Masters of Time showroom in Milan. mbandf.com and gmtitalia.com
When visiting them, they had one of the fifty Horological Machine No.7 Aquapod Green produced by MB&F. Even if we already presented this unconventional timepiece last April, we took advantage of the opportunity to explore this model more in depth and take some pictures.
The HM7, as it is often referred to, is not a watch that can leave you indifferent, you love it or hate it. But for sure, everyone has to agree that this is a totally original piece of design. And, in fact, the HM7 expresses its appeal even when it is not worn, just left on the desk or in its special presentation box.
Inspired to the sea world and, in particular, to the radially symmetric design of jellyfishes, the Aquapod features a central engine, or movement, with a concentric architecture developed on more layers around the central axis. From bottom to top: winding rotor, mainspring barrel, hour and minute indications, and finally the flying tourbillon.
The continually rotating regulating organ is spectacular and can be appreciated even in poor light conditions thanks to three panels of AGT (Ambient Glow Technology) Ultra lume around the inside of the movement.
The choice of a flying tourbillon was deliberate as the upper bridge of a normal tourbillon would have necessitated the use of smaller, less legible time-display rings.
Displayed by two spherical segment discs in aluminium and titanium, the hour and minute numerals and markers have been handpainted in Super-LumiNova, making them also legible by night. The two large time display rings are supported by specially developed extra-large ceramic ball bearings which optimize rotation thanks to a very low coefficient of friction.
It is interesting to note that the numerals and markers have been hand-painted because the spherical discs are impossible to print neatly for their complex curvature.
The HM7 Aquapod has not a traditional case. Instead, two hemispheres of high-domed sapphire crystal, held together by a timanium case band, define a three-dimensional sandwich structure. Outside this structure, the unidirectional bezel seems to float wth two crowns in between: the one on the left is for winding the movement (if needed) and the crown on the right for setting the time.
Despite a diameter of 53.8 mm, the watch is extremely light and wraps the wrist comfortably thanks to the black aircraft-grade rubber strap and the movable lugs which allow the watch to better adapt to the wrist.
On the backside we find the winding rotor’s tentacles, machined from a solid block of titanium. Their curved, very three-dimensional nature is a real manufacturing challenge, both for machining and for finishing, which alternates between polished and satin-finished sections. Hidden underneath the lightweight titanium tentacles, a sector in much heavier platinum ensures winding efficiency.
One of the just 50 pieces produced by MB&F, the Horological Machine No.7 Aquapod Green has a retail price of Euro 100,000 before taxes. It is currently available at the Great Masters of Time showroom in Milan. mbandf.com and gmtitalia.com
This is an incredible watch, or should I say horological machine? Perfect for a Summer at the seaside. I would love to see a picture of this watch underwater. Must be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteJaw-dropping. Seriously.
ReplyDelete