MB&F have outdone themselves yet again. Their timepieces – which relate more closely to horological marvels rather than mere watches – are so fascinating that they could even defy belief. Their latest timepiece, the Special Project One (SP One), is a mesmerising, intricate work of art; like an entire tiny universe sitting on the confines of a human wrist!
Initially dubbed the “Three Circles”, the SP One lives up to its original moniker in spectacular fashion. Peering into the heart of this timepiece will reveal an astonishing trinity of elements seemingly suspended in mid-air: the barrel, the balance wheel, and the dial. They pirouette and hold their ground with a gravity-defying grace that makes you question the very laws of physics.
How on earth do they manage this incredible levitation act? Well, the clever folks at MB&F have ingeniously sandwiched these components between two sapphire glass domes. This ingenious design isn’t just for show; it accentuates the floating effect, creating a captivating visual illusion. The balance wheel, in particular, performs a delightful “mid-air dance”, while the subtly tilted dial proudly showcases MB&F’s mastery of conical gearing – a rare and incredibly complex feat of micro-engineering.
Encasing this horological ballet is a 38mm pebble-like case. Run your fingers over it, and you’ll find it boasts a wonderfully smooth, tactile feel. Its bezel-free design allows the sapphire glass to melt seamlessly into the case, creating an uninterrupted flow. Even the lugs are a work of art, delicately detached and rising elegantly from the lower case, which further enhances the sensation of the watch head almost hovering.
Despite its deceptively thin profile, the SP One still retains MB&F’s signature three-dimensional architecture. It’s a marvel of miniaturisation, being the brand’s slimmest and smallest watch to date, yet it loses none of that distinctive depth people have come to expect. This timepiece goes beyond just telling time; it inaugurates a new, undefinable “Special Projects” collection, acting as a graceful bridge between MB&F’s wild Horological Machines and their more classically inspired Legacy Machines.
Take a closer look at the movement itself, and you’ll notice the “less is more” philosophy at play. Many of the bridges are almost invisible, and most components are cleverly tucked away, allowing the three central elements to truly steal the show. The fact that these three primary elements possess identical circumferences adds a layer of design complexity that’s truly astounding. The single-barrel architecture, elegantly suspended, posed a significant challenge for the designers, yet they conquered it with flying colours. The balance wheel, oscillating tirelessly at the 2 o’clock position, is simply captivating to observe. And the tilted dial – a subtle yet profoundly three-dimensional feature that sets this watch apart. The overall structure is surprisingly straightforward, belying the immense skill required to bring it to life.
Flip the watch over, and the case back reveals MB&F’s meticulous traditional hand-finishing and artisanal craftsmanship. The true complexity here lies in maintaining such finesse and elegance while preserving classic codes: hand-angled wheels, prominent chatons, and a perfectly balanced, subtle finish.
Creating an elegant, classical watch was a risky move for MB&F, mirroring other bold projects they’ve undertaken with zero market expectations. The very first sketch, back in 2018, began with “three circles resembling a smiley face,” perfectly capturing the initial concept of the suspended barrel, balance wheel, and dial. The aim was for subtle elegance and a classic flair while undeniably retaining MB&F’s avant-garde essence – a difficult equilibrium to achieve. This delicate balance was further refined with renowned watch designer Eric Giroud before the engineers meticulously brought the concept to life.
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