MB&F, an acronym for Maximilian Büsser & Friends, is a Swiss independent watch brand and creative laboratory based in Geneva. Founded in July 2005 by Maximilian Büsser, the brand represents a departure from traditional corporate watchmaking. Büsser, a Swiss-born entrepreneur who previously served as the managing director of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces and held a senior role at Jaeger-LeCoultre, established the company to prioritize creative freedom and collaborative artistry. The “Friends” in the brand’s name refers to the diverse collective of independent watchmakers, designers, and engineers Büsser engages to bring his visions to life.
The brand has cultivated a significant following among collectors and enthusiasts who value its rejection of conventional design in favor of three-dimensional kinetic art. MB&F is appreciated for its transparent collaborative model, where the contributors for each project are openly credited, and for its ability to blend high-end horological complications with avant-garde aesthetics. The timepieces often draw inspiration from childhood influences, such as science fiction, space travel, and vintage automotive design, appealing to those who view watchmaking as a form of mechanical sculpture.
MB&F’s catalog is divided into two primary pillars: Horological Machines and Legacy Machines. The Horological Machine (HM) series features radical, futuristic cases and unconventional time displays. Notable examples include the HM6 “Space Pirate,” which features a biomorphic titanium case and a retractable tourbillon shield, and the HM1, the brand’s debut model that introduced its signature three-dimensional architecture.
In contrast, the Legacy Machine (LM) collection, launched in 2011, pays homage to the great horological innovators of the 18th and 19th centuries. These watches typically feature round cases but are distinguished by a large, suspended balance wheel floating above the dial. Key pieces in this series include the LM Perpetual, known for its innovative perpetual calendar mechanism, and the LM Sequential EVO, a high-performance dual chronograph. Beyond wristwatches, the brand is also recognized for its “Co-creations,” which include elaborate mechanical clocks designed like robots or spiders, and high-end music boxes developed in partnership with specialist manufacturers like L’Epée 1839 and Reuge.
