Few independent watchmakers have blurred the boundaries between art, engineering, and imagination as successfully as MB&F. Since the debut of the first Horological Machine in 2007, founder Maximilian Büsser has built an entire universe inspired by childhood fascinations spaceships, supercars, aviation, and science-fiction worlds translated into some of modern watchmaking’s most daring creations.
Over the years, MB&F has produced a remarkable collection of mechanical sculptures for the wrist, while its celebrated partnership with L’Epée 1839 introduced an equally captivating cast of robotic timekeepers, including Melchior, Balthazar, and Grant. Although recent attention has often centered on the elegant Legacy Machine collection, the brand’s experimental DNA has never faded. Collaborations such as the Bulgari x MB&F Serpenti reaffirmed that innovation remains at the heart of the maison.
Now, MB&F returns to its futuristic roots with the unveiling of the HM12 The Guardian arguably its most ambitious Horological Machine to date. More than a watch, HM12 is conceived as the head and cognitive center of a fully realized mechanical robot developed alongside L’Epée 1839. Together, the watch and its robotic counterpart comprise nearly 1,500 individual components, forming an extraordinary mechanical ecosystem that captures the essence of MB&F as it enters its third decade.
The project also marks a significant creative milestone. HM12 is the first Horological Machine designed entirely by Maximilian Büsser and Maximilian Maertens, without the direct involvement of longtime collaborator Eric Giroud, whose influence has shaped much of MB&F’s visual legacy.
The concept began with a deceptively simple question: What if a robot’s head could function as a watch?
Four years later, that idea has evolved into one of the most technically and creatively complex projects in the brand’s history. Rather than merely designing a watch inspired by robotics, MB&F engineered a robot whose head genuinely serves as a mechanical timepiece. The display is arranged to resemble a face two expressive eyes, a moving mouth, and beneath a sapphire dome, an exposed mechanical brain.
Sculpted in Titanium
Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, the HM12 measures 49.3mm by 43.6mm with a thickness of 13.8mm. While substantial, the case is surprisingly restrained by MB&F standards. The visual drama comes from its expansive sapphire architecture, which floods the movement with light and reveals the intricate mechanics from multiple perspectives.
At the apex sits a flying tourbillon visible not only through the domed crystal above but also through a sapphire aperture positioned at 12 o’clock. Despite its unconventional construction, the curved profile and articulated lugs ensure remarkable comfort on the wrist.
A Mechanical Face with Character
The display transforms traditional timekeeping into a playful yet sophisticated visual experience. The left aperture presents jumping hours, while the right displays trailing minutes, together forming the robot’s watchful eyes. Beneath them, an open mouth reveals one side of the double-sided micro-rotor, shaped in MB&F’s iconic battle-axe motif. Constantly in motion as the wearer moves, the rotor gives the mechanical face an almost lifelike presence.
Occupying the position of the brain is the flying tourbillon a classical horological complication that creates a compelling contrast against the watch’s futuristic architecture. Perhaps the most captivating feature is the innovative face-shield mechanism. Activated via the crown positioned on the left side of the case, a pair of mechanical shutters glide across the dial, gradually concealing or revealing the robot’s face. Entirely independent from the movement itself, the system incorporates more than 200 dedicated components.
The wearer can stop the mechanism at any point, creating a range of unique expressions. It is whimsical in concept yet executed with extraordinary technical sophistication, embodying MB&F’s ability to transform playfulness into serious haute horlogerie.
Engineering Beneath the Surface
Powering HM12 is an entirely new in-house movement developed exclusively for this creation. The calibre consists of 646 components and 86 jewels, integrating a jumping-hour display, trailing minutes, flying tourbillon, double-sided micro-rotor, and the elaborate face-shield system.
Despite this complexity, the movement delivers an impressive 84-hour power reserve.
Turn the watch over and an entirely different personality emerges. While the front embraces MB&F’s futuristic Horological Machine language, the reverse showcases a more traditional aesthetic inspired by the Legacy Machine collection. Symmetrical bridges, elegant curves, and exceptional hand-finishing reveal a level of craftsmanship that balances innovation with classical watchmaking values.
Particularly noteworthy is the guilloché decoration adorning the domed rotor, produced in collaboration with master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen and his atelier.
The Guardian Comes to Life
As fascinating as the watch is on its own, HM12 reaches its full artistic expression when paired with The Guardian.
Developed by L’Epée 1839, the 38.2-centimeter-tall robot consists of 755 components and weighs approximately 15 kilograms including its base. Utilizing a dedicated quick-release system, the watch can be removed from its strap and mounted directly into the robot’s head, completing the concept.
The Guardian is far more than a display stand. A mechanical thermometer serves as the robot’s heart, while one articulated arm houses a magnifying loupe for examining the movement in detail. The opposite arm conceals a detachable UV torch used to illuminate the Super-LumiNova elements found throughout both the watch and the robot itself.
Even the strap is thoughtfully accommodated within a hidden drawer integrated into the robot’s base, demonstrating the meticulous attention devoted to every aspect of the experience.
A Collector’s Dream
The MB&F HM12 The Guardian will be offered in three colorways green, blue, and purple with each edition strictly limited to just 12 pieces worldwide.
Priced at $384,000 USD, The Guardian is not merely a watch. It is a celebration of imagination, engineering, and the enduring power of childhood dreams transformed into wearable mechanical art. In an industry often defined by tradition, MB&F continues to prove that the future of haute horlogerie belongs to those bold enough to invent it.