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What We Know

We are six years into the reign of the Legacy Machine EVO, a sportier version of MB&F’s most “traditional” (and I use that term loosely) watch designs, which had the added benefit of higher water resistance, a built-in FlexRing shock protection system, slightly less delicate dials, and a different case design that lends itself to the rubber straps. We’ve had the Perpetual EVO, Sequential EVO, Sequential Flyback EVO, Split Escapement EVO, and LM101 EVO. Now, the original Legacy Machine, the LM No. 1, joins the collection with two case materials: titanium and a limited-edition rose gold.

It seems like case sizes are the most hotly debated topic these days, and MB&F has never shied away from a large case. It’s needed to accomplish the dramatic design and depth of the floating balance that hovers over the dual time display (now in sunburst-polished black, flat subdials). The cases are 42mm by 16.8mm, with a 52mm lug-to-lug and 18mm lug width. This brings one major update to the EVO series: these watches now have quick-change rubber straps, made possible by a case redesign (so this won’t apply to swapping into other EVO series models). Another update: the original’s vertically moving power reserve indicator is now more traditional, rotating side to side and pointing at an inclined scale.

One of my favorite things about the Legacy Machine is that it’s so wild in the front and more traditional in the back. The movement is still the Jean-François Mogard-designed caliber, with aesthetics and finishing designed by Kari Voutilainen. You basically get some of the great modern minds in watchmaking and design (of course, Max Büsser included) all in one watch. The movement is manually wound, with the 4 o’clock dial to set the right-hand display and wind the movement, and the 8 o’clock crown to set the left time zone. The power reserve is 60 hours, and the watch runs at 18,000 vph. The movement has been upgraded with a Straumann double hairspring and, if you flip the watch back over, you’ll see the balance bridge is redesigned to be a bit sleeker as well.

The rose gold version of the LM1 EVO, with the green dial plate, is limited to 33 pieces and retails for $137,000, while the titanium version, with a rhodium dial plate, is $109,000.

What We Think

The more I look at the EVO releases, the more I think that—if I were buying an LM—an EVO might be more my speed. I always felt like there was this push-and-pull between having to decide about the beautiful traditional dials of the original LMs versus the wearability and durability of the EVO case. However, I’m not the kind of person that would wear an LM every day, so do I need the durability? The more I see them, however, the more I think that the EVO is starting to run away with the crown in the battle between the two variations. 

The new, more legible power reserve indicator on the new LM1 EVO, the redesigned case for the quick-change strap system, and the simple fact that the LM1 allows you to set time zones manually (allowing for 15- or 30-minute offsets for those unusual half or quarter time zones) make it one of the more practical applications for the sportier case design here. So while this isn’t as revolutionary as a full new LM might be, it’s a welcome addition to the EVO range.

The Basics

Brand: MB&F
Model: Legacy Machine No. 1 EVO

Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 16.8mm
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium or 5N Rose Gold with “FlexRing” Shock Protection System
Dial Color: Titanium with rhodium dial plate and rose gold with green dial plate
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 80m
Strap/Bracelet: Quick-change, grey or black rubber strap with matching titanium or rose gold folding buckle

The Movement

Caliber: Three-dimensional horological movement developed in-house by MB&F with Jean-François Mojon, with aesthetics and finishing specifications by Kari Voutilainen
Functions: Dual time zones with independent hours and minutes; inclined power reserve indicator
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 18,000 vph
Jewels: 25 jewels
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Gold chatons with polished countersinks and 19th century-style hand-finishing

Pricing & Availability

Price: $109,000 in titanium; $137,000 in rose gold
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Rose gold limited to 33 pieces

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