The kinetic sculptures leaving the workshops of Max Busser’s radical horological troupe, otherwise known as MB&F, have come to exemplify audacity, creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and superb craftsmanship. Rarely has the creativity of a brand been so consistent, from the sister entry-level brand M.A.D Editions to the latest Legacy Machine Longhorns and Horological Machine 11. Inspired by the bulbous spaceship of Captain Flam (also known as Captain Futuro), a Japanese cartoon character that was very popular in the 1970s-1980s, the Horological Machine 6 is also nicknamed the Space Pirate. The entire shape and time telling of the watch is like no other, it is a surprising organic spacecraft that fits the wrist perfectly. Time is read via rotating spheres (hours on the left and minutes on the right). The top center features a lovely flying tourbillon that can be shielded or remain visible by turning the crown on the left. Two turbines resembling spacecraft engines are placed on the back and rotate with the movement of the arm. They are, in fact, linked to the winding by a gear train and amplify the number of rotations, thus making the automatic winding more efficient.

The HM6 features 10 sapphire crystal domes, five on top of the watch and five on the back. Making domes of this size consistent with each other and with no optical distortions is a feat unto itself. The HM6 was made in only 100 pieces: 50 pieces in titanium like the present example, 18 pieces in pink gold, 10 pieces in sapphire crystal and platinum, 10 pieces in sapphire crystal and red gold, 4 unique pieces in the Alien Nation edition and 8 pieces in stainless steel. With the Horological Machines, MB&F put the Extra into Ordinary. The HM6 is more than just a talking piece, it is a viciously cool 475 component technical tour de force that took 4 years to develop.

Please note that MB&F generously offers a complementary servicing of the watch to the winning bidder within a period of 6 months after the sale.