Though MB&F are relatively new to the watch-making world, the luxury Swiss horologer has been releasing dazzling and simply eye-catching timepieces filled with groundbreaking features. One such piece is the recently unveiled LM Sequential Flyback Platinum, an ingenious accessory that builds upon the brand’s previous successes.
The flyback was invented in the 1930s to allow airplane pilots to accurately time their flight paths from waypoint to waypoint. It was discovered that the time required to stop, reset, and restart a chronograph was so long that navigation errors occurred, which were exacerbated as they accumulated over the course of a journey with multiple legs.
The LM Sequential Flyback Platinum is the spiritual successor of MB&F’s 2022 LM Sequential EVO, the brand’s first ever chronograph and 20th calibre piece that revolutionised the chronograph market with the “Twinverter” switch. The innovative change allowed this chronograph to have independent timing, split-second cumulative, and lap timer modes. The new Flyback edition goes beyond its predecessor. On top of the previous timing modes typically associated with motor racing, it incorporates the flyback function originally designed for pilots, bringing the Sequential into the realm of aviation.
All these intricate mechanisms are housed in a gorgeous platinum case with a deep but vibrant chromatic blue dial plate that cleverly separates the housing from its white lacquered face plate. Each face found on the LM Sequential Flyback Platinum pays homage to the airplanes that inspired it, as each face and its placement are reminiscent of gauges found on airplanes’ dashboards, as well as the miniature propeller found at the very centre of the entire piece.
In order for all these features to fit snugly in a 44mm case, the watch face is slightly tilted, allowing for quick glances without the need to fully raise your arm. Powering this chronological marvel is the aforementioned Twinverter switch, as well as a manual winding with double mainspring barrels and a 72-hour power reserve.
Stephen McDonnell, the designer of the MB&F LM Perpetual, created the watch. McDonnell’s innovative design includes an internally jewelled vertical clutch system that reduces friction while maintaining precision. The addition of a special jewelled roller to the flyback mechanism highlights the Flyback edition’s technical sophistication.
