MB&F - 06.TAL.BLA

Legacy Machine Thunderdome The Hour Glass Tantalum / Aventurine

Case

Dial

Description

The MB&F Legacy Machine Thunderdome was introduced in late 2019. A collaboration of Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen under the wings MB&F founder Max Busser, the watch features a mechanism that goes beyond the tourbillon. Proprietary to MB&F, it is dubbed the ??TriAx'. The triple-axis rotating escapement has a stripped-down construction that transgresses both tradition and modern convention. Instead of the rational (and cumbersome) system that associates one cage with each rotational axis, the TriAx defies logic with a three-axis, two cage configuration that allows for unprecedented visibility of the Thunderdome's beating, whirling heart.

Controlling the rate at which energy escapes from the barrel is the unusual Potter escapement, which utilises a fixed escape wheel in place of the mobile escape wheels seen in virtually every type of modern rotating escapement. The fixed escape wheel of the Potter escapement C named for 19th-century watchmaker and inventor Albert H. Potter C allows for higher rotational speeds in such a mechanism.

Integrating a fixed escape wheel within a tri-axial rotating mechanism is something that has never been done before, but LM Thunderdome achieves this, and for good reason. The high-speed rotation consumes energy voraciously, with the innermost structure completing one turn in 8 seconds, the intermediate cage rotating once every 12 seconds, and the outermost cage making one full rotation every 20 seconds.

As with earlier Legacy Machines, this spectacular motor is houses in a relatively conventional case - though fitted with a high-dome sapphire crystal.

Reference 06.TAL.BLA is a limited edition of 5 pieces for The Hour Glass. It features a tantalum case. Time is indicated on a white enamel dial, with an Aventurine back drop.

Movement

Movement developed for MB&F by Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen.
Regulating mechanism featuring 3 fast rotation axes revolving at different speeds and on different planes. The rotation speeds of the axes starting from the centre are respectively 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. The combined weight of the multi-axis mechanism is nearly 1g.
Manual winding with three mainspring barrels.
Bespoke hemispherical 10mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws and helical hairspring, visible on top of the movement.
Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; bevelled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.
Power reserve: 45 hours
Balance frequency: 3 Hz / 21,600bph
Number of components: 413
Number of jewels: 63

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