Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. MB&F Launches Exhaustive Catalogue Raisonné “The First Fifteen Years”, Something We Wish All Brands Would Do
A comprehensive catalogue raisonné in English of the brand’s fascinating trajectory during the past 15 years.
We’re all accustomed to heavy coffee table books with lavish photography and florid prose describing the centuries-long history and achievements of certain upper echelon watch brands. Since MB&F has always done things differently – and many esteem its watches as true works of art – it has just announced the creation of a catalogue raisonné of every reference produced by the brand in the past 15 years. A publication usually associated with the art world, a catalogue raisonné is a descriptive annotation of all the known works of an artist with explanations and scholarly comments. And it’s exactly what MB&F: The First Fifteen Years is all about.
Marking a first in the watchmaking world, the impressive MB&F: The First Fifteen Years tome is written by Suzanne Wong and William Massena in English and published by Editions de La Martinière and distributed by Abrams.
A fabulous initiative for collectors, MB&F: The First Fifteen Years documents every single reference crafted by the MB&F from 2005 to 2020, including prototypes and pieces that were never officially announced. Everything from reference numbers to technical specs and the exact quantity of each of the 160 references produced is meticulously recorded and illustrated with full-colour photographs. The first 30 pages of the 312-page book are dedicated to the genesis of MB&F, followed by rigorous details of all 18 calibres developed for the Horological and Legacy Machines and a closing section on Co-Creations. If only larger brands would take the time to produce books as detailed and precise as this; it would be an enormous benefit for the collecting community…
The print run of MB&F: The First Fifteen Years is 2,000 copies and will be distributed by Abrams. The first 1,500 books are reserved for MB&F and its partners and presented in a special protective box with a retail price of CHF 198 (approx. EUR 190 / USD 220), scheduled for summer 2022. The remaining 500 copies, without the protective box, will be sold through the publishing houses’ networks in October 2022 and retail for EUR 150 or USD 170.
An absolute must for collectors and potential collectors of MB&F’s fascinating creations, we do not doubt that the catalogue will become as collectable as the pieces themselves!
Pre-orders are now possible at MB&F’s M.A.D.Gallery eShop.
1 response
Thx for the heads up, ordered. A wonderful book to delve into the fascinating history of MB&F. Will look perfectly on the table with Sherman as I await delivery of the LM101 Willy Wonka.