Introducing: The MB&F MoonMachine 2 With Stepan Sarpaneva

January 15, 2018

For its latest Horlogical Machine, MB&F has once again teamed up with Stepan Sarpaneva, the independent watchmaker from Helsinki. The result is MoonMachine 2, which has an automotive-inspired case punctuated by Sarpaneva's signature gold moons. There ?is one large moon (8.5mm in diamter, .45mm thick) set into the titanium winding rotor that you can see through the sapphire window on the case's top, and two smaller moons (4.5mm in diameter, .35mm thick) utilized in the all-new moonphase display that is visible between the jumping hours and wandering minutes. The watch is available in three metal and color combinations, each of which has its own distinctive character. A Look Back At The HM8 The MoonMachine 2 is based on the same case design as 2016s HM8. Check out Jack's hands-on look at that watch for a little more detail on the development of the unique architecture and the movement within.? Why This Watch Matters This watch is a melding of a few different pieces from MB&F and Sarpaneva's histories, while still bringing something new to the table. The basic case shape is taken from the HM8 "Can-Am" watch introduced in 2016 (though this one is 0.5mm thicker to make room for the moonphase display), and the discs-and-prisms time display goes back even further to 2012 and the HM5 "On The Road." It was earlier that same year that the first MoonMachine was released, based on the HM3, so it's fair to say that the roots of this MoonMachine sit squarely somewhere in the middle of 2012. However, instead of just iterating on these old models, MB&F and Sarpaneva have added the projected moonphase display, which uses a non-magnifying prism to project the Finnish watchmaker's signature moon disc and korona indicator in between the hour and minutes discs of the main time display. There is a quick adjustor button set into the side of the case for dialing in the moonphase display. Initial Thoughts I feel like a broken record here, but I'll say the same thing I say every time MB&F drops something new: their creations bring a smile to my face. In a sea of sameness C sporty round watches in this color or that color C?MB&F is thinking in a completely different way from most of the industry and excels at mixing true high-end watchmaking with a sense of wonder and playfulness. I also really dig Sarpaneva's slightly idiosyncratic moonphase display, so seeing the two partner up again is exciting. This is one I cannot wait to see in the metal as soon as the SIHH show doors open. The Basics Brand: MB&FModel: MooonMachine 2Dimensions: 49mm x 51.5mm Thickness: 19.5mmCase Material: Natural titanium, black titanium, or red gold and titaniumDial Color: Light blue (natural), dark blue (black), anthracite (red gold)Indexes: Projected hour and minute discs with Arabic numeralsLume: Yes, on hour and minute discsWater Resistance: 30 metersTotal Components: 59Strap/Bracelet: Black alligator strap with folding buckle that matches case metalNotes: The case's front lugs are articulated for a better bit? Through the large sapphire window you can see the spinning titanium rotor and gold moon weight. The Movement Base Caliber: From Girard-Perregaux?Functions: Jumping hours and wandering minutes via projected discs, projected moonphasePower Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 30Total Components: 293Additional Details: This is the first watch to ever feature a projected moonphase display and the winding rotor is PVD-coated titanium with a solid gold Sarpaneva moon Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 88,000 (both titanium editions), CHF 95,000 (red gold)Availability: ImmediatelyLimited Edition: 12 pieces in each of the three configurationsFor more click here. The titanium edition has light blue accents and white gold moons. The blackned titanium edition has dark blue accents and white gold moons. The red gold and titanium edition has anthracite grey accents and red gold moons. A large gold Sarpaneva moon is set into the PVD titanium winding rotor. The MoonMachine 2 caliber starts with a Girard-Perregaux base.