The MB&F Horological Machine N°11 Art Deco Editions represent a captivating fusion of avant-garde horology and architectural inspiration, building on the vision originally introduced with the HM11 Architect in 2023. Reimagined for 2025 under the artistic direction of Maximilian Maertens, these watches revisit the structural essence of the original but speak with the refined, geometric language of 1930s Art Deco. This shift transforms the watch from a fluid, organic entity into a striking cityscape in miniature, drawing references from iconic Art Deco motifs such as sunbeam dials and the stepped silhouettes of Manhattan skyscrapers.
The dials of the HM11 Art Deco reflect this period influence with a distinctive two-tone design that separates rings and fields, replacing the HM11 Architect’s conical rods with radiating sunbeam patterns. This treatment is partially skeletonised, enhancing legibility while emphasising the graphic quality central to Art Deco aesthetics. The typography is period-appropriate, and the hands are a standout feature, rendered in white gold with a translucent red enamel insert that emulates stained glass. These hands differ subtly across the displays to respect their unique reading functions, presenting a delicate yet vivid contrast against the dial’s blue or green PVD-treated backgrounds. The bridges above the movement adopt more vertical and block-like architecture, reminiscent of ornamental stonework, reinforcing the watch’s visual narrative.
Turning to the movement, the MB&F HM11 Art Deco is powered by an in-house manual calibre that maintains continuity with the original Architect’s sophisticated mechanism. Operating at 2.5 Hz (18,000 vibrations per hour), the movement boasts a substantial 96-hour power reserve delivered through a system that is wound not conventionally via a crown but by rotating the entire case. The three-dimensional movement architecture is built around a central flying tourbillon, which is suspended on four laser-cut steel springs, a technology derived from aerospace engineering. The technical finish is nothing short of exceptional; the upper cage bridge is replete with inward angles finished by hand to standards achieved by only a few specialists, while the four peripheral bridges alternate polished and satin surfaces to animate the play of light across the movement. The reduced component count from 364 in the Architect to 330 in the Art Deco edition speaks to a refined, concentrated design ethos. The movement’s components, including the plates and bridges, exhibit PVD treatments in shades corresponding to each edition: 3N yellow gold for the blue dial and 5N rose gold for the green dial.
The case of the MB&F HM11 Art Deco maintains the 42mm diameter and 23mm height of its predecessor, constructed predominantly from grade 5 titanium, ensuring strength without compromising wearability. The case architecture is a testimony to micro-engineering, comprising 92 components assembled to create a multi-faceted, curvilinear yet angular form housing the four functional chambers: time, power reserve, mechanical thermometer, and time-setting module. Sapphire crystals crown the top, back, and each chamber, all treated with double-sided anti-reflective coatings to maximise legibility and contrast. Notably, the crown itself is crafted from sapphire and engineered with a multi-gasket system akin to an airlock, allowing for functional rotation despite its unprecedented near ten-millimetre diameter. This engineering detail underscores MB&F’s commitment to combining bold design with practical innovation. The water resistance is rated modestly at 20 metres, reflecting the watch’s focus on architectural prowess over dive-grade robustness. The finishes on the case, from the micro-blasted underside to the alternating polished and satin upper surfaces, are executed with meticulous care to echo the Art Deco theme. The straps complement the dials, with fine lizard leather in shades matched to the blue and green iterations, fastened with a titanium folding buckle.
The MB&F HM11 Art Deco Editions stand as an eloquent evolution of the original Architect concept, transforming a wearable machine into an inhabitable, architectural marvel clad in the motifs of a bygone era. With each element carefully reinterpreted through the prism of Art Deco’s structured elegance, yet powered by the innovative technical heart of the HM11, these watches offer collectors an opportunity to engage with timekeeping as a multidimensional sensory experience. Limited to just 20 pieces total, this series is a celebration of both MB&F’s visionary spirit and the enduring allure of horological sculpture that must be lived with, not simply worn. The craftsmanship, technical prowess, and design narrative converge to produce a machine that is as much a piece of kinetic urban art as it is a mechanical masterpiece.
