In 2010, when the Horological Machine No. 4 was launched, it won the Best Concept & Design Watch at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève that year. It stood out amongst others as it is powered by an engine that defies conventional watch movement construction, with a double "fuselage" design that has the hours and minutes on right cone, whilst the power reserve indicator is on the left.
Declared from the get-go as a timepiece with just 100 pieces, these 100 have been spread out across various HM4 editions, with the last remaining piece was sold years ago.
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Horological Machine No4 Thunderbolt by MB&F
Inspired by the design of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt, the Horological Machine No.4 adds magnificence and ferocity to horlogerie in a manner never seen before!
Starting with the original HM4 Thunderbolt in high-tech titanium, the HM4 ‘Razzle Dazzle’ and ‘Double Trouble’ limited editions took the aviation theme even further – with real rivets in their fuselages and hand-painted nose art inspired by the rebellious paintings on WWII aircraft. Read Story
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HM4 Razzle Dazzle & Double Trouble by MB&F
The award-winning Horological Machine No.4 by MB&F took inspiration from the Thunderbolt military plane, it now takes a step further and adorns a similar nose cone art popularized by fighter pilots during WWII to produce two unique limited pieces, 'Razzle Dazzle' & 'Double Trouble'. Read Story
To celebrate a decade of its anniversary, MB&F has repurposed the original HM4 prototype into a Pièce Unique, named the HM4 'Kittyhawk.'
Kittyhawk is the nickname for the Curtiss P-40, one of the most important and well-known allied aircraft from World War II, produced between 1938 and 1944. Depending on the version, it carried other nicknames including Warhawk, as well as Tomahawk.
On paper, the P-40 looked weak in performance, but in reality, its combat record turned out to be surprisingly good. Till today, aviation experts argue about the plane's merits and weaknesses. It remains one of most iconic aircraft of that time, especially with its "shark mouth" and eyes paint job on its nose.
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HM4 Final Edition
Blackened titanium and sapphire
Limited edition of 8 pieces.
The HM4 Pièce Unique bears a similar hand-painted shark mouth and eyes, along with aged time and power reserve dials. The titanium case of the 10-year old prototype was first prepared to welcome the recessed painting by carefully removing microns of metal from the sides of the fuselage, following the shape of the illustrations.
It was then handed over to the incredibly talented miniaturist painter Isabelle Villa, who delicately painted the menacing teeth and angry eyes. A final coat of transparent varnish was applied to protect the miniature painting, flush with the case.
