MB&F Horological Machine N°9 « Sapphire Vision »
Launched in 2018, Horological Machine N°9 – nicknamed HM9 “Flow” – paid homage to the extraordinary designs of the cars and planes of the 1940s and 50s. It featured an unusual case, inspired by the flowing aerodynamic lines of the era.
Despite its striking appearance, MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser described the HM9 motor as “the most beautiful in-house movement ever created”. What could be more logical than to house it in a transparent sapphire crystal case?
Discover the Horological Machine N°9 "Sapphire Vision" - alias HM9-SV.
A sapphire crystal and precious metal shell, curved, domed and precision-assembled in three parts, is rendered water-resistant thanks to the exclusive combination of a patented three-dimensional joint and a high-tech assembly compound. Two totally independent cantilever-mounted balances transmit data to a differential that converts these two oscillations into a coherent pulse. Ultra-precise bevel gears efficiently transmit the motor’s energy and information over a 90° angle, to display the time on a sapphire crystal dial, graduated with Super-LumiNova.
On the reverse side, co-axial propellers are placed under each balance wheel: the two turbines spin freely for our purely visual pleasure, waiting for someone to start a new type of exploration. Two years after the original HM9 Flow “Air” and “Road” editions conquered land and sky, the HM9-SV takes us to the depths of the ocean – the last realm on Earth still harboring many unexplained secrets. We discover a ship of exploration from Atlantis, powered by a divergent technology both familiar and strange to us.
On the outside, the lines of the HM9-SV follow the layout of the editions designed for road and air. The laws of fluid dynamics remain dominant in the design, even if the aquatic objectives give the HM9-SV a gentler approach to the sharp re-entrant angles and parabolic curves of previous Flow versions. From a technical point of view, dimensions had to be reworked to take into account the particular properties of sapphire glass: although extremely hard, it can undergo significant fractures under pressure, where metal would only deform. The HM9-SV’s softened lines reduce potential areas of mechanical vulnerability – while enhancing the aesthetics of an ocean-going craft.
The HM9 motor follows in the footsteps of the Horological Machines N°4 and N°6 motors, disregarding conventional constructions. The three-dimensional assembly of wheels, gears, plates and bridges produces unexpected shapes adapted to the dynamic lines of the case, an ensemble animated by mechanical viscera and an endoskeleton in a crystalline body.
A traditional frequency of 2.5 Hz (18,000 A/h) may seem anachronistic in a modern chronometer, but the shock sensitivity associated with reduced speed is offset by the use of two balances instead of one. Statistically, two identical systems produce an average that outperforms a single system.
To further reduce shock sensitivity, the HM9-SV editions feature a new anti-shock system: coil springs placed between the movement and the case. The springs are laser-cut from a solid tube of polished stainless steel, providing excellent elasticity and limiting lateral movement.
Averaging the time measurement from the HM9 engine’s two balances, a planetary differential, the movement’s gearbox, provides the final display on the perpendicular dial. This complex mechanical computation was partially revealed in the original HM9 Flow, with sapphire crystal domes on each balance wheel and a magnifying glass on the planetary differential, to underline the importance of its chronometric role. In the HM9-SV, the entire motor is visible: you can observe the interaction of components from barrel to balance and from differential to dial.
New solutions had to be found to join the sapphire crystal components and form a watertight case. A three-dimensional rubber gasket had already been used in the original HM9 Flow, to ensure watertightness when the three parts of the case were attached. While the 3D gasket remains in the HM9-SV, the sapphire crystals are sealed to the metal frame with a high-tech compound, using an in-house vacuum and high-temperature process. The result is 3ATM (30m) water-resistance, although the joint between the sapphire components and the minimalist gold frame is virtually invisible.
The HM9 Sapphire Vision is the subject of four limited editions of just five: two with rose gold frames, combined with black NAC or blue PVD-treated motors, and two with white gold frames, with violet PVD-treated or rose gold-plated motors.
HM9-SV — Technical specifications
The HM9 Sapphire Vision is available in four limited editions of just five:
- two editions with 5N+ rose gold frames, combined with a black NAC or blue PVD-treated motor;
- two editions with white gold frames, with violet PVD or rose gold-plated motors.
Motor:
In-house hand-wound movement
Two fully independent balance wheels with planetary differential
Frequency: 2.5 Hz (18,000 vph)
One barrel, 45-hour power reserve
301 components, 52 jewels
Hours and minutes displayed on a vertical dial
Two spherical helices under the movement
Anti-shock coil springs between movement and case
Case:
Editions “SV” sapphire crystal, with white or rose gold (5N+) frame
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal hours/minutes dial, Super-LumiNova-coated numerals and hour-markers
Dimensions: 57 mm x 47 mm x 23 mm
52 components
Water-resistant to 3ATM (30m)
Exclusive three-part sapphire crystal assembly process, with patented three-dimensional joint and high-tech bonding compound
Sapphire crystals:
A total of five anti-reflective sapphire crystals: three for the main components of the case, one for the dial and one for the dial itself.
Strap and buckle :
Brown or black hand-stitched alligator, pink or white gold folding clasp matching the case.
Source & CP : Maximilian Büsser / MB&F
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