The Beguiling MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Tiger’s Eye

The launch of the Legacy Machine FlyingT in 2019 was something of a space oddity in the brand’s trajectory, marking the first MB&F watch designed for women. True to Max Büsser’s mission of creating complex kinetic timepieces, the ladies’ LM FlyingT features a flying tourbillon rising dramatically above the dial plate, an intriguing dial perched at an angle and a prominent sapphire crystal dome. Enthusiastically received by women (and men too) and awarded the Ladies’ Complication prize at the 2019 edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, MB&F launches another version of the Legacy Machine FlyingT this time with a beguiling Tiger’s Eye plate and dial in an 18k yellow gold case set with diamonds.

Flight Path of the FlyingT

As a member of the Legacy Machine family, the Legacy Machine FlyingT is very much an LM child with its pronounced domed sapphire crystal (20mm high) and cinematic tourbillon rising from a hole in the centre of the dial. Instead of the suspended balance wheel featured on many LM models, the FlyingT incorporates a flying tourbillon supported by a complex column construction and a smaller version of the signature double-arched bridge topped with a diamond. Another differentiating factor of the FlyingT is the 50° inclined hours and minutes dial that only the wearer can see.

The maiden voyage of the FlyingT in 2019 was in white gold cases with a black lacquered plate dial and two full-set diamond versions. The FlyingT returned in 2020 with red gold and platinum cases with guilloché plate dials followed by spectacular Lapis Lazuli and green Malachite models – without forgetting the dazzling FlyingT Allegra jewellery collaboration with Bvlgari.

The Eye of the Tiger

Tiger’s Eye is a variety of the chalcedony mineral family with undulating golden and brown stripes that produce the phenomenon of chatoyance, an optical reflectance that looks similar to the mysterious eyes of felines. Known as the ‘shapeshifter’, the silky lustre and warm golden brown tones of the gemstone are suitably paired with a yellow gold case. As fans of the brand know, yellow gold is a rarity at MB&F.

Rising from the asymmetric opening carved into the Tiger’s Eye dial plate, the flying tourbillon is held in place by a diamond and performs its rotations at a serene 2.5Hz rate. Like the other malachite and lapis lazuli gemstone versions, the inclined dial for the hours and minutes has no numerals but features the signature serpentine hands. Matching the case material, the ventricular aperture and the dial are framed in yellow gold.

The 18k yellow gold case has a diameter of 38.5mm and a height of 20mm and is set with 168 brilliant-cut diamonds – 120 on the case, 21 on the buckle, 1 large diamond topping the tourbillon cage and 26 on the two crowns; the crown on the left winds the movement, and the one on the right sets the time.

Solar power

The reverse side reveals a sculpted gold sun rotor delivering energy to the movement. Its beautifully polished rays reach the perimeter and conceal most of the movement, which is more than compensated for by the action on the dial. Borrowing solutions from the HM6 series and HM7 Aquapod, the engine of the FlyingT uses a vertical and co-axial layout. Challenges during the development of the movement included the shape of the upper tourbillon cage. A counterweight was hidden under the cage to compensate for the uneven mass of the cage. Displaying time on an inclined dial was also challenging, and conical gears are employed to transmit torque from one plane to another. Nevertheless, the 280-component movement of the LM FlyingT has a power reserve of 4 days/100 hours, among the highest of MB&F’s watches.

Availability & Price

The MB&F Legacy Machine FlyingT Tiger’s Eye is available with a calfskin or alligator leather strap with a yellow gold pin buckle to match the case. Although the LM FlyintT Tiger’s Eye is not a limited edition, it will be produced in amounts consistent with MB&F’s limited production capacity. The price is CHF 132,000, EUR 132,000 or USD 150,000 (all excl. tax).

For more information, please visit www.mbandf.com.