The innovative brand unveiled two new pieces at the Geneva show - the Horological Machine No6 SV and the Sherman – proving that the brand has earned its spot among the world’s elite watchmakers.

The new-look SIHH 2016 featured an expanded list of brands showcasing their watchmaking prowess and technical innovations. Among the newcomers to the show was horological concept lab MB&F, which wowed the guests with two new pieces and demonstrated that the future of Swiss watchmaking is in good hands.

The first release was the Horological Machine No6 SV. The “SV” stands for “Sapphire Vision”, denoting the added three-dimensional layer to the biomorphic beauty of the brand’s already impressive HM6 Space Pirate timepiece. The watch features two horological amphitheatres dedicated to the appreciation of its exquisite, micro-engineered movement, as MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser explains:

“I always thought that the most beautiful part of HM6 was its movement, and that it was a shame not to show it. But it was only recently that the technology of machining sapphire crystal allowed us to create such a complex case.”

To truly showcase the impressive movement, this watch is all about sapphire crystals. The HM6 SV has 11 of them in total, including two large case plates (top and bottom) and nine domes – on top and bottom of the two time indications and two turbines, plus one over the flying tourbillon. Each was machined from a solid block of sapphire crystal, a difficult feat itself as sapphire is the second hardest naturally-occurring mineral on earth after diamond.

On the front, two spherical domes rotate vertically, displaying hours and minutes in large, highly legible numerals. A central dome houses a 60-second flying tourbillon, ensuring the high precision of the HM6 Engine. To block harmful radiation from prematurely oxidising the lubrication oils in the regulator, the HM6 features an innovative retractable and semi-spherical titanium protective shield. A crown at 9 o’clock opens and closes the cover, much like the blink of an eye.

And as impressive that is, the real star of show is HM6 SV Engine. The 475 finely-finished components make up the highly complex movement, which is the result of more than three years’ worth of development. Making it even more special is the fact that the HM6 is available in a limited edition of 10 pieces in platinum/sapphire crystal and 10 pieces in red gold/sapphire crystal.

The brand’s second release at SIHH was in the clock department, again demonstrating the brand’s quest for playful innovation in the watchmaking world. It’s called the Sherman – part robot and part clock – which is the result of another collaboration between MB&F L’Epée 1839. And every time the two come together, the result is something very special; remember Melchior?

Showing its sense of humour, the brand doesn’t mince its words, admitting that their new invention “doesn’t do very much at all”. That is, besides telling time in a very unique way, and brining joy to the often serious world of timekeeping.

The friendly, tank-treaded table clock can display the time on his chest for more than a week before requiring rewinding, thanks to mechanics based on L’Epée’s in-line eight-day movement. It is also available in three limited editions: 200 palladium (plated) pieces, 200 gilded pieces (gold-plated), and 50 diamond-set gilded pieces.

Having celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2015, there is no better way to kick off the second decade of MB&F’s existence than with its impressive display in Geneva. The brand embodies what the SIHH is all about, innovation with an eye to the future of Swiss watchmaking. No doubt that the brand will be a mainstay at the annual show for years to come.