IntroducingThe MB&F LM101 Gets The Ultra-Modern EVO Treatment

This year marks a significant milestone for MB&F. Twenty years of oddball creativity and seriously impressive watchmaking are no small feat for Max Busser and Friends, and we've already seen so, so much come out already this year from them.

To many, the LM101 remains the darling of the collection. Amongst the insane designs and complications of both the Horological Machine and Legacy Machine lines, the LM101 has always been a breath of simplicity, if you can ever call any MB&F that. So, it's no surprise that the brand's icon receives a new EVO treatment, offering a fresh, more sporty take on the design with the 20th Anniversary LM101 EVO Editions. 

Front and center beneath the dramatically domed crystal is the flying balance wheel and floating escapement. This, paired with the smaller subdials containing the time and power reserve, represents the basics — or 101 — of what makes a mechanical watch. Of course, the austerity is only in concept, as the execution of the in-house caliber is anything but simple. While the regular LM101 is more of a blend between classical watch design and modern execution, the EVO series fully commits to modernity on the dial and adapts its designs to more contemporary wearing habits as well. This means improved water resistance of 80 meters, featuring a screw-down crown, as well as a 40mm titanium case with a streamlined lug design and a rubber strap designed for more active use cases. In addition, the brand's patented FlexRing shock absorber is fitted between the movement and the case for that additional protection during wear.

The LM101 EVO editions are available in two dial colors: a vibrant peacock green or a more orange salmon hue, both achieved through a CVD coating on the dial plate. But aside from the new dial colors, many of the elements on the LM101 get a redesign in the EVO aesthetic. Most apparent will be the black subdials for the time and power reserve, now extended from 45 hours to 60 hours, and with arrow-tipped lumed hands. However, the oversized arches that suspend the balance wheel have been softened, saying goodbye to sharp angles and corners for a more fluid feel. In addition, the escapement wheel gets a new aesthetic, skeletonized with the MB&F battle-axe motif for an edgier feel, along with a more angular bridge for the pallet fork. These design elements are undoubtedly MB&F's interpretation of space-age sportiness, and make it impossible to mistake the new watch for a classic LM101.

What hasn't changed is the caliber, aside from the increased power reserve and the new FlexRing surrounding it. The LM101 Caliber, upon its introduction in 2014, was the brand's first in-house caliber, designed alongside the legendary watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. As a result, its large, sweeping bridges, gold chatons, and wide Geneva stripes remain the same on the caseback. It's this tribute to classic watch finishing that earns the "Legacy" in "Legacy Machine." The flying balance wheel continues to use Moser's Straumann double hairspring, beating away at a leisurely 18,000 VpH, or 2.5Hz.

The MB&F LM101 EVO editions are priced at CHF 62,000. While not limited edition, they are limited production based on MB&F's limited capacity.

The LM101 is one of my favorite watches, ever. And it's one of the most special watches in my own personal collection, so when word got around that MB&F was designing an EVO version, my ears perked up. Luckily, I got a chance to sneak a peek at a few prototypes the last time I was in Geneva, and I have to say, these impress. No, they don't feel revolutionary, since a lot of the same motifs carry over from many of the previous entries in the EVO series. And though I'm not the biggest fan of the obvious battle-axe motif on the escape wheel, it's a minor nitpick in what I think is an overall excellent execution. Luckily, the classic LM101 still remains in the collection, so this introduction is merely the addition of choice.

There is a strong visual resemblance to the Split Escapement EVO from 2022, though that was a much larger 44mm watch. However, for fans of arguably the most everyday-wearable MB&F line, the LM101 EVO does what the LM101 did so well — bring the focus to what makes the whole line so visually captivating, with no distractions along the way.

In person, the CVD dials are quite magical, especially on the green dial variant. Honestly, green might be selling the dial short, because what you really get is a bewilderingly wide range of colors — in indoor lighting, I saw blues, teals, and even purples, while outdoor lighting yields vibrant greens and more. The salmon dial is also just as interesting, emitting a more intense orange hue (I suppose reminiscent of the farm-raised variety of the fish) in certain lighting conditions. Regardless of which dial color you pick, you'd be in for a disco on your wrist.

Introducing the LM101 EVO for MB&F's 20th anniversary was such a fitting move and serves as a reminder how just how well the brand has carved out such distinct design languages within the industry. And with not a whole lot of them produced each year, I have a hunch this one's going to have quite a few collectors clamoring for it.

Brand: MB&F
Model: LM101 EVO
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 16.5mm
Case Material: Titanium
Dial Color: Green or Salmon
Indexes: Engraved
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 80m
Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap with matching titanium folding buckle

Caliber: LM101
Functions: Hours, minutes, power reserve, suspended flying balance wheel
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 18,000 VpH or 2.5 Hz
Jewels: 23
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with Straumann double hairspring

Price: CHF 62,000
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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