MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision 2023

Quick specs MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision 2023
Price: € 440.000 | CHF 420’000 | $ 490,000 | £ 380,000 (all excl. taxes)
Size: 57 mm x 47 mm x 23 mm
Reference: 91.SWL.BU (blue) | 91.SYL.GR (green)

MB&F introduces two new models of the MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision, also known as the HM9-SV. First launched in 2018, and influenced by the extraordinary automotive and aeronautic designs of the 1940s and 50s. Think East-German gasmask style meets hysterical tech – whatever it may be, and this is not what MB&F communicates about it – and this concept is now transposed to a white gold with blue and a yellow gold with green version.

The gold, normally used for what we call a case, is now used for the frame, as the watch does not have a real case. Within the frame hangs an engine – which is the movement and two hands for hours and minutes – and most plates used for the engine are colored with a PVD coating. In either blue or green. Then, this whole construction is covered with no less than five sapphire crystals. These are all treated with anti-reflective coating. Three of those crystals are covering the main components of the watch, one crystal covers the dial, and one crystal is the dial itself. If you are looking for a watch with a strong 3D appearance, this is what you want.

Reading the time is a just a side aspect of this MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision 2023

The HM9 is equipped with a pair of fully independent balances, leading to a planetary differential that melts the beats to one coherent time pulse. Small shock absorbers and polished steel springs that are carved out by laser, are added between the movement and the frame to prevent the balances from going out of sync.

Power comes from a huge mainspring barrel which delivers a power reserve of 45 hours. It beats at frequency of 18,000 vph and drives the hours and minutes. These are featured on a sort of sub dial on the side of the watch, with numbers and indexes filled with super-luminova.

These MB&F HM9 Sapphire Vision 2023 models come on a brown or black alligator strap with a case matching gold folding buckle. Each version is limited edition to 5 pieces.