For its final piece, the Horological Machine No.6 comes with a case in stainless steel, a material that historically marks the end of a series from the independent watchmaker such as the Legacy Machine No.1.
Originally inspired by Japanese anime Capitaine Flam and its bulbous spaceship, MB&F came up with its version of a biomorphic cosmic vessel in 2014. The result was the undeniably futuristic Horological Machine No.6 (HM6) with its protruding sapphire glass windows and a flying tourbillon that appeared for the first time in a wristwatch from MB&F, distributed exclusively here by The Hour Glass Malaysia.
A distinguishing feature of the flying tourbillon is the retractable titanium shield that offers a measure of protection for the lubricating oils from oxidising under sunlight.
Time is displayed via two rotating hemispheres in paper-thin aluminum, with the hour and minute perpendicular to the rest of the mechanisms. To achieve this position, conical gears are employed without compromising on precision.
There are also two turbines that provide air resistance to maintain a safe speed for the platinum winding rotor, which is in the shape of a battle-axe. In total, there are 475 components in the movement.
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Over the course of four years, the HM6 has appeared in titanium and red gold (called the Space Pirate edition) and had its design reimagined with lateral grooves for the Sapphire Vision edition that features a sandwich construction of two transparent sapphire crystals with a “filling” of platinum or red gold. Then there was the Alien Nation edition, its most astronomical rendition crafted entirely in clear sapphire crystal with luminescent elements.