With all its stock of LM1 editions depleted, MB&F decided to rescue an original prototype of the LM1 and dust it off for the tenth-anniversary commemorations. This is not the first time MB&F resuscitates a prototype: in 2020, the HM4 Kittyhawk prototype was sold privately to a collector. However, to allow more MB&F fans the chance to bid for this unique prototype, the Legacy Machine 1 “Longhorn” is up for auction.
The prototype became known as the “Longhorn” because of the long lugs or horns that would be a distinctive design element of the LM1 during the design phase in 2009-2010. However, the longhorns were not ideal. A problem about where to put the spring bar, close to the case or at the tip of the lug, ended up convincing Max Büsser and Eric Giroud to settle for shorter longs. Nevertheless, Büsser is not a quitter, and the idea of longhorns still appealed to him. “During one of our recent brainstorming sessions, I suddenly had the idea to drill two holes in the longhorn for the spring bar – one hole at the tip of the horn and the other closer to the case – and then let the customer decide where he wants to put his strap. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this ten years ago!”
Having recovered the original concept of long, curved lugs – a unique feature not found on any other LM1 watch – there are a couple of other attributes that make this prototype genuinely unique. While most LM1s were produced in gold, platinum and titanium, the LM1 Longhorn is made of stainless steel, like the LM1 Final Editions of 2017.
The base plate is rhodium-plated, and for the first time in the LM1’s history, the glossy white lacquer of the sub-dials has been replaced with a shiny black lacquer that contrasts exceptionally well with the blued hands. The arched bridge spanning the flying balance wheel corresponds to the latest, more organic bridge version also found on the Final Edition models.
Like earlier editions of the Legacy Machine 1, the case, with its 44m diameter and 16mm height, has two crowns to set the independent time zones displayed on the two black sub-dials with white Roman numerals. The original vertical power display is positioned at 6 o’clock, and in pride of place is the monumental 14mm balance wheel beating at 18,000vph suspended above the dial.
The reverse side reveals the 3D horological movement developed for MB&F by Jean-François Mojon with traditional 19th-century handmade finishings overseen by Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen: polished internal bevels, Geneva waves, gold chatons with polished countersinks and hand engravings. The names of both men are engraved on a bridge, and the word ‘Prototype’ is engraved on the steel bezel of the case back.
The LM1 “Longhorn” will be auctioned by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on 7 November 2021 in Geneva. The ‘Longhorn’ nickname of the prototype came to the MB&F team during a brainstorming session and is a direct reference to the rhinoceros, an endangered species hunted for its longhorn. A significant portion of the proceeds from the prototype auction will be given to the London-based Save the Rhino International organisation intent on protecting five species of rhinoceros in Africa and Asia.