Introducing HM11 Art Deco, A New Chapter of Creativity at MB&F

During the previous edition of Dubai Watch Week in 2023, MB&F surprised everyone when it unveiled the Horological Machine 11 Architect, redefining what a watch could be and transforming it into a piece of wearable architecture. The design was inspired by the vision of Maximilian Büsser and designer Eric Giroud, introducing a revolutionary and unprecedented design language.

Now, once again returning for Dubai Watch Week 2025, the brand presents this groundbreaking concept in a new form, crafted by designer Maximilian Maertens, who reinterprets the “architectural” idea through the lens of 1930s Art Deco, introducing the latest chapter in the series: HM11 Art Deco. This release is part of the brand’s celebrations of its 20th anniversary, which began earlier with several special editions.

The new HM11 Art Deco builds upon the same mechanical and structural foundations while adopting a distinctly refined aesthetic. The two new editions, both crafted in grade 5 titanium and each limited to just 10 pieces, feature contrasting colorways: one with a blue dial plate and 3N yellow gold-toned bridges, and the other with a green dial plate and 5N rose gold-toned bridges.

The Horological Machine concept transformed the idea of a “watch case” into a miniature home: four symmetrical rooms radiating from a central atrium crowned by a flying tourbillon beneath a double-domed sapphire roof. Each room serves a dedicated function time display, power reserve, mechanical thermometer, and time-setting module, and the entire case can rotate, aligning any room toward the wearer. Every 45° turn of the case winds the movement for 72 minutes, with ten full rotations providing the total autonomy of four days (96 hours).

Despite its intricate, three-dimensional structure, the case remains compact at 42 mm in diameter. It is made from grade 5 titanium, with sapphire crystals on the top, back, and chamber displays, all treated with antireflective coating on both sides. Water resistance remains at 20 metres.

Architecturally, the case is built like a piece of micro-engineering, featuring curved walls, stacked sapphire domes, and a crown nearly 10 millimetres wide, equipped with a sophisticated multi-gasket “airlock” system to ensure functionality despite its large size.

On the dial side, radiating sunbeam motifs, partially skeletonised for legibility, replace the original conical rods. Two-tone rings and period-inspired typography further define the displays. The hands feature a red stained-glass effect achieved through translucent enamel. The bridges take on more vertical, sculptural forms reminiscent of ornamental stonework, while the roof’s grooved profiles echo the stepped silhouettes of Art Deco skyscrapers such as the Chrysler Building. 

The reinterpreted tourbillon bridge now aligns with the base plate, establishing a clear visual axis that unifies the composition. Even the crown has been redesigned with subtle, layered steps inspired by vintage poster art, reinforcing the collection’s sense of upward motion, much like an Art Deco skyline.

Inside, the manual-winding movement, developed entirely in-house, runs at 2.5 Hz and offers a 96-hour power reserve. Winding remains as before, achieved by rotating the entire case. The functions include hours, minutes, power reserve, and temperature indications.

The movement also drives a central flying tourbillon, mounted via bevel gears and suspended by four laser-cut steel springs derived from aerospace technology, a signature MB&F technical flourish.

Each edition is paired with a lizard leather strap, white for the blue model and beige for the green, and secured by a titanium folding buckle. The MB&F HM11 Art Deco is limited to 10 pieces per dial version, priced at CHF 198,000, approximately AED 913,500.

For more information, visit Mb&F official website.