Two Time Zones, One Suspended Balance: The New MB&F LM1 EVO
The art of watchmaking at MB&F has never been about following convention. With its suspended balance wheels, sculptural movements and unconventional displays, the independent Swiss watchmaker has consistently challenged traditional ideas of mechanical watch design. Now, the Legacy Machine 1 returns in a new EVO configuration, bringing a series of technical and practical improvements to one of the brand’s distinctive creations.
Introduced as the LM1 EVO, the latest model retains the original’s signature architecture while adopting a smaller case, improved shock protection, greater water resistance and an extended power reserve. The result is a more versatile interpretation of the independent dual-time watch, available in titanium or rose gold.
A More Compact and Robust Case
The LM1 EVO features a 42 mm case, down from the 44 mm dimensions of the original LM1. Available in titanium or 5N+ red gold, the two versions offer different interpretations of the same design. Titanium emphasises lightness and a contemporary sporting character, while rose gold introduces a more traditional luxury aesthetic.

A key technical addition is MB&F’s FlexRing shock absorber, designed to protect the movement against impacts and sudden movements. Water resistance has also increased from 30 metres to 80 metres, supported by screw-down crowns. These improvements make the LM1 EVO better suited to regular wear, although its complex construction remains far removed from the requirements of a dedicated diving watch.
Two crowns allow the wearer to adjust the two time displays independently, preserving the defining functionality of the LM1 while accommodating its more robust case construction.
An Unconventional Dual-Time Display
The dial remains the focal point of the LM1 EVO. Above the main dial plate, a large balance wheel is suspended in a prominent three-dimensional structure, creating the impression that the regulating organ is floating over the time displays.

Below it, two inclined subdials display hours and minutes for separate time zones. Each can be adjusted independently, allowing the wearer to follow two locations simultaneously. The mechanism also accommodates time zones offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by 30 or 45 minutes, rather than restricting the display to full-hour differences.
The titanium edition combines a silver-coloured dial plate with black subdials, incorporating spiral and circular brushing to distinguish the different surfaces. The rose gold version pairs a vivid green dial plate with black time displays, creating a more colourful contrast against the warm metal of the case.
At six o’clock, the power reserve indicator has also been redesigned. Instead of the linear display found on the original LM1, the EVO uses a semicircular, speedometer-inspired indication that reinforces the updated model’s sporting character.
A Refined Hand-Wound Movement
Powering the LM1 EVO is a manually wound mechanical movement developed around the distinctive architecture of the Legacy Machine 1. Its power reserve has increased from 45 to 60 hours, giving the wearer additional time between winding sessions.

The movement’s regulating system receives an important technical update through the adoption of a Straumann double hairspring. This configuration uses two hairsprings within a single balance assembly, arranged in opposing directions to counteract certain positional and rate deviations. The objective is to improve isochronism, helping the movement maintain consistent timekeeping as it operates.
The oversized balance wheel measures 14mm in diameter and oscillates at 18,000 vibrations per hour, equivalent to 2.5Hz. Its exposed position above the dial makes the regulating organ both a functional component and a defining visual feature of the watch.
The combination of the double hairspring, extended power reserve and shock-absorbing case construction gives the LM1 EVO meaningful technical changes beyond its revised external appearance.
Rubber Straps and Everyday Versatility
Completing the EVO transformation is a rubber strap fitted with a quick-change system. The titanium model comes with a grey strap, while the rose gold edition is paired with a black version.

The system allows the wearer to change straps without an elaborate process, providing an alternative to the more traditional exotic leather strap associated with the original LM1. It also reflects the broader EVO philosophy of adapting MB&F’s elaborate mechanical creations to a more active lifestyle.
Despite these practical changes, the LM1 EVO retains the intricate construction and distinctive visual identity that define the Legacy Machine collection.
Price and Availability
The MB&F LM1 EVO in titanium joins the collection as a non-limited production model, priced at CHF 82,000 before VAT. The 5N+ red gold version is limited to 33 pieces and costs CHF 102,000 before VAT.
Both versions combine the original LM1’s independent dual-time functionality with the updated case, movement and strap features introduced for the EVO range.

Our Opinion
The LM1 EVO demonstrates how MB&F can evolve an established design without losing the mechanical spectacle that made it distinctive. The reduction to 42 mm, improved shock protection, 80-metre water resistance and longer power reserve all contribute to a more practical watch, while the double hairspring adds a meaningful technical development.
The titanium version is arguably the more natural fit for the EVO concept, combining a lighter case with a restrained silver-and-black colour scheme. The green dial and rose gold combination, meanwhile, offers a more expressive alternative for collectors who prefer their watches to make a stronger visual statement.
Neither version could be described as conventional or understated, and the pricing firmly places them in the realm of high-end independent watchmaking. Nevertheless, the LM1 EVO represents a significant return for the model, bringing its unusual dual-time display and exposed balance wheel into a more robust and versatile package.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: MB&F
Model: LM1 EVO
Dial: Rhodium (titanium), green (rose gold)
Lume: Yes
Case Material: Titanium, 18k rose gold
Case Dimensions: 42 mm Diameter, 16.80 mm thickness, 52 mm lug-to-lug
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 80 Meters
Strap: Interchangeable black / grey rubber strap with matching metal case folding buckle
Caliber: In-house MB&F movement developed with Jean-François Mojon
Functions: Two independent time zones with hours and minutes, inclined power reserve indicator
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 2.5 Hz (18,000 Vph)
Jewels: 25
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Price: CHF 82,000 (titanium), CHF 102,000 (rose gold) – both prices plus VAT
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Yes, 33 pieces (rose gold)












































