MB&F are often regarded as the mad scientists of the horological world, creating outlandish watches that more resemble props from a 1970s sci-fi film than traditional watches. You know what I mean; models like the HM11. To give you an understanding of just how crazy they are, the LM FlyingT is one of their most restrained watches and it still features a sapphire dome, a gemstone dial and a flying tourbillon. First launched in 2020, MB&F have released a new version of the LM FlyingT each year dedicated to a different gemstone and 2024 brings us the LM FlyingT Onyx.
Conceptually, the LM FlyingT is meant to be a women’s watch and previous models like the Coeur de Rubis really lean in that direction. However, the Onyx edition is very unisex with a 38.5mm diameter case in 18k yellow gold and is the first edition of the watch without any gemsetting or additional adornment. It’s clean and classy like a vintage dress watch. An aesthetic that is enhanced by the smooth onyx dial.
Onyx is a naturally occurring gemstone that is most commonly an inky black colour, although white, red and yellow onyx are also seen in jewellery. For the MB&F FlyingT, the gemstone has to be carefully sculpted to the shape of the dial. That means it has to have an asymmetrical hole in the centre to allow the tourbillion and time subdial to poke through while also having different thicknesses to accommodate for the uneven surfaces of the movement below. In addition to this, MB&F gave themselves the extra challenge of having the dial be domed to match the sapphire crystal dome above.
The focal point of the watch is the central flying tourbillon emerging from the centre of the dial. Tourbillons are designed to counteract the effects of gravity on a watch’s movement by constantly rotating – the FlyingT rotates at a rate of once every 60 seconds, serving as the watch’s seconds indicator. The hours and minutes are presented on a 50° angled subdial with serpentine hands. The movement powering all of this has a 4-day power reserve wound by an automatic, sun-shaped rotor.
This is without question one of the coolest MB&F LM FlyingTs yet, suave, refined and elegant. Sure, it’s still somewhat of an over-the-top horological show that has more than a little craziness in its DNA. But it looks fabulous. Its price is also something of jaw-dropper at CHF 114,000 (approx. £101,000) although you’d be hard pressed to find any MB&F that could be described as accessible.
Price and Specs:
More details at MB&F.
