During the Geneva Watch Days 2023 we had the chance to admire several watches whose designs were quite extravagant. It’s not hard to believe it, as a significant number of independent watchmakers, who have been at the forefront of the industry in recent years, attended the Genevan event to showcase their latest innovations. However, the watch that truly astonished us above all others was born from the brilliant mind of Max Büsser and his team of designers. We are talking about the two new versions of the MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision.

Two new HM9 SV (Sapphire Vision)
MB&F’s Horological Machine line draws inspiration for its designs from concepts far removed from the world of watchmaking, seeking to make them its own. Specifically, the HM9 takes inspiration from and pays homage to the automotive and aeronautical designs of the 1940s and 1950s, as well as the aerodynamic nature of those forms. The first HM9 was introduced in 2018, immediately surprising with its unprecedented lines. From its conception, being considered by Max Büsser as the most beautiful caliber ever created by the brand, the goal was to showcase it and, therefore, to create a case capable of letting it be admired. With the Sapphire Vision editions, Max’s goal finally becomes a reality thanks to the use of sapphire.
The work to achieve this latest, improved edition of the HM was sensational. Creating a sapphire crystal with such shapes was indeed extremely challenging; as we were told, the time required for a machine to produce just the upper part is about 5 days, and the difficulties do not stop there. Once the crystal is created, it must then be meticulously polished, and many unsatisfactory results are discarded, since this is a particularly delicate process.

The HM9 Sapphire Vision was initially presented in four editions, each limited to only five pieces: two editions with a red gold frame and two editions with an 18K white gold frame. The two new editions, also limited to five pieces each, presented during Geneva Watch Days 2023, are characterized respectively by a movement with a blue PVD coating combined with a white gold frame and a movement with a green PVD coating paired with a yellow gold frame.
On the wrist and prices
When you have any creation by Max Büsser on your wrist, you must completely forget about wearing a conventional watch and, above all, embrace the philosophy behind these pieces, appreciating the inspiration the creator drew from distant worlds beyond the realms of horology.
The HM9 is perhaps one of the most eccentric creations by the brand, and for this reason, one must look beyond the simple hands that mark the time. It’s true, it’s undoubtedly challenging to conceal this watch under the cuff of a shirt, but precisely for this reason, among the many we’ve seen, it’s one of the watches that has impressed us the most, and we could spend hours admiring its details.

The price of both editions of the HM9, each as mentioned limited to 5 pieces, will be CHF 420,000 (excluding taxes).