Text by Kien M. Lee | Photos by William Lai

Following consecutive new releases of Legacy Machines over the last year and a half, MB&F marks a triumphant re-focus on its Horological Machines with the game-changing HM6, nicknamed "Space Pirate" for drawing inspiration from the Captain Future science fiction series.

Capitaine Flam as it was popularly known in French TV, chronicled the adventures of a space-traveling scientist — originally published in American pulp magazines in the 1940s and later re-intepreted into an anime series that was popular throughout the 1980s.

Both drawing upon the finest in watchmaking craftsmanship and traditions, MB&F's Horological Machines are derived from an imagined future, whereas the Legacy Machines are inspired by a re-imagined past.

For those who had fond childhood memories of the animated series, the nostalgia-inducing double-globed spaceship of Captain Future formed the basis of Maximilian Busser's concept for the remarkably eye-catching Space Pirate. In fact, he imagined 2 of these spaceships side-by-side as the skeletal backbone of the HM6.

The visionary watchmaker also added that the "bio-designs" of German-born Swiss Italian Luigi Colani who from the 1970s had incorporated rounded, organic forms into his industrial design concepts, also played an integral part in shaping the overall look of this latest Horological Machine.

The central dome reveals a flying 60-second tourbillon with harmoniously crafted bridges over a rapidly oscillating balance wheel, forming the cockpit containing the "heart" of the wristwatch as it maintains precision and power usage.

The front two globes (2/3 spheres) vertically-revolving, one for the hour and the other for the minutes to tell the time similar to the "bulbous eyes" (1/2 spheres) of the HM3 "Frog".

The rear two globes (2 half-spheres) which look like air turbine ventilators seen on building roof tops, regulate the battle-axe shaped automatic winding rotor visible on the case back.

In all there is a total of 10-domed sapphire crystals as well as 68 jewels within the HM6. Encased in titanium, there will only be 50 Space Pirates available worldwide.

One crown allows the wearer to adjust the time, whilst the other operates the shutters of the central dome to close, especially when the Space Pirate is outdoors, effectively shielding the sunlight from drying up the lubrication for the exquisite movements inside.

From its side, the HM6 looks like a race car on spherical wheels.

Surprisingly light and when worn on the wrist, the fit is ergonomic and comfortable. By all standards, the engineers have successfully fitted all the complex mechanisms necessary within the uniquely bio-morphic water-resistant case.

Taking 4 years of research and development, the timepiece is a creation of high complication, consisting of 475 components to bring to life.

The HM6 is exemplary of MB&F's mission statement, a creative label based around one very simple and fundamental ideal: to assemble dedicated collectives of talented horological artisans, artists and professionals – all friends – to design and craft each year a radical and original horological masterpiece.

By nurturing teams of talented individuals, harnessing their passion and creativity and crediting each individual's essential role, MB&F uses their synergy to become much greater than the sum of its parts.

Indeed, the Space Pirate is undisputedly a magnificent showcase of artisanship at its finest, a category-busting creation that belies innovation both inside and out, from how it tells the time to how it looks.

Superlative. Outstanding. For those who do not take the beaten path.

L'Atelier at ION Orchard | 2 Orchard Turn . #02-06 . S 238801 . +65 6509 9268

More Passion at Paragon | 290 Orchard Road . #01-24/25 . S 238859 . +65 6735 6466

Malmaison at Knightsbridge | 70 Orchard Road . #01-01 . S 238857 . +65 6735 6466

Go to MB&F's website at //www.mbandf.com