Sometimes, the best things come to those who wait. For years, admirers of MB&F’s eccentric creations have called for one model to receive the EVO treatment. The Legacy Machine 101 was the obvious choice: the most approachable yet spectacular gateway into Maximilian Büsser’s three-dimensional horological universe. The brand held back, reserving it for the right moment. That moment has arrived with MB&F’s 20th anniversary, and the result is worth the wait.
The LM101 EVO represents a homecoming. Launched in 2014, the original LM101 was the first calibre designed entirely in-house. At 40mm, it remains one of the smallest and thinnest Legacy Machines, yet houses a profoundly three-dimensional movement. Guided by independent master Kari Voutilainen on finishing, it set the standard for what a Legacy Machine should be.
Over the years, the LM101 has been reimagined in gold, platinum, palladium, and stainless steel, with a variety of striking dial finishes. Each iteration has been as desirable as the last, cementing the LM101 as one of MB&F’s most coveted creations.
Designed for Life in Motion
The EVO series, first introduced in 2020 with the LM Perpetual EVO, builds on MB&F’s tradition of technical ingenuity. EVO treatment equips Legacy Machines for everyday wear, with key features including 80 metres of water resistance, a screw-down crown, an integrated rubber strap, and the patented FlexRing shock absorber, positioned between case and movement to protect the watch during active use. Advanced materials such as titanium and zirconium further enhance durability.
The brushed titanium case catches light subtly throughout the day, revealing variations in texture. The integrated rubber strap eliminates traditional lugs, creating an unbroken curve from case to wrist. Its matte finish resists fingerprints and maintains its appearance through daily wear. Two options of grey or white are available, each paired with a titanium folding buckle to complete the look.
Craft and Character in Every Detail
In celebration of MB&F’s 20th anniversary, the LM101 EVO arrives in two titanium editions, with either a salmon or peacock green dial, both created through Chemical Vapour Deposition. The peacock green is particularly mesmerising, shifting from green to blue to violet as it catches the light, while the salmon tone displaying a warm, coral-like hue, feels timelessly classic.
The signature twin arches suspending the oversized balance wheel have been subtly refined. Still machined from single blocks of metal and hand-polished to a mirror finish, they now feature smoother curves where they meet the movement base, allowing light to play across their surfaces with greater fluidity.
The power reserve has been extended from 45 to 60 hours. The two black subdials now feature finely machined circular borders that catch the light, creating subtle definition. Newly designed white-gold hands enhance legibility through refined proportions and surface area, sweeping with mechanical precision across the hour and minute subdial.
Precision in Motion
Although the dial is a spectacle, the movement warrants equal attention. Its architecture stays true to 19th-century traditions, with Geneva waves, hand-polished bevels, gold chatons, and countersunk blued screws. Every surface visible through the sapphire caseback has been finished to the highest standards.
Modern engineering ensures the LM101 EVO is firmly of its time. A Straumann double hairspring and slipping mainspring barrel deliver reliability, while darker bridge treatments introduce a contemporary edge. At the centre, the 14mm balance wheel remains the defining feature, regulated by four traditional screws.
A Coveted Collector’s Piece
The hand-finishing of 233 individual components, combined with the specialised expertise required for precise assembly, naturally limits annual output to just a few dozen pieces. Each completed timepiece represents roughly 60 hours of meticulous craftsmanship beyond basic machining and preparation.
After two decades of challenging conventions, Büsser and his team have created something genuinely exceptional with the LM101 EVO. It preserves everything that made the original a modern classic while incorporating contemporary innovations. The watch transitions effortlessly between settings, maintaining its distinctive character while demonstrating remarkable versatility.