Another week down, another 'MR PORTER x Haulogerie: Picks of the Week" segment. This week we're featuring brand new pieces from one of the world's most exciting watch brands, MB&F, along with some solid picks from the likes of Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Parmigiani Fleurier. Enjoy!
MB&F HM9 Flow Air
MB&F calls its pieces 'sculpture', and the HM9 Flow Air's suitability to that term is well above reproach. Combining classical curves of mid-century cars and aeroplanes with titanium, the HM9 Flow Air looks like a couple of jet engines strapped to some leather. But the complexity extends beyond the visceral, with two separate and independent balance wheels sitting in each of those jet engine-like gaskets.
MB&F HM7 Aquapod
Drawing inspiration from the natural ebb and flow of a jellyfish, the vertically designed HM7 Aquapod is MB&F's very first aquatic-themed timepiece. Featuring architecture built up as opposed to across and a flying tourbillon in the centre of the piece, the HM7 Aquapod is Max Busser personified into a creation that is awe inspiring and completely against the grain of the conventional.
MB&F HM8 Can-Am
Drawing inspiration from the Canadian-American Challenge Cup, the HM8 Can-Am combines beautiful flowing lines and a dashboard-like indicator for the passing hours and minutes with an intricate, complex and highly technical calibre. The horizontally inclined display leaves exposed the battle-axe automatic winding rotor which will be sure to catch your attention throughout the day. A worthy distraction, however.
MB&F Balthazar
The final creation we're featuring this week is of the affectionate Balthazar. Crafted with the assistance of the storied Swiss watchmaker L'Epée, Balthazar combines a quirky approach to time-telling that is both remarkable and intriguing. No doubt a conversation starter.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon
The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon clad in pink gold is absolutely superb. It's bold yet low-key, auspicious yet inconspicuous and can easily be dressed up or down. There is a lot of heft to this piece, both physically and metaphorically, with the tourbillon featuring Vacheron Constantin's Malte cross is like the proverbial cherry on top of what is a very delectable cake.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon
Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon, crafted in pink gold, is the quintessential time-only tourbillon. Like Vacheron Constantin's Traditionnelle Tourbillon, the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon combines purity with purpose and simplicity. Not as bulky as the Traditionnelle Tourbillon, the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon is perhaps a more subtle, more dressy option of the two.
Jaeger-LeCoultre + Marc Newson Atmos 568 Clock
The second non-wearable we're featuring this week comes from Jaeger-LeCoultre with the Atmos 568 Clock. Created with the Australian industrial designer Marc Newson, the Atmos 568 Clock features an openworked design, exposing the innermost workings of the piece. Interestingly enough, the Atmos 568 Clock is housed in a hermetically-sealed transparent cabinet surrounded by a mixture of gasses that expand and contract with even the most minute of temperature variations causing the mechanism to self-wind. Pretty cool, right?
Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpagraphe
Made out of titanium and featuring a laser-cut dial, the streamlined tonneau-shaped Kalpagraphe from Parmigiani Fleurier took an incredible six years of in-house development to create. The attention to detail is evident throughout, with a striking blue forming the backdrop to the skeletonised dial coupled with unique architecture forming the 'webbing'. Very different, yet very cool.