You Can Now Pair Your MB&F Watch With A Quirky Minimilian Collectible

Lovers of MB&F are in for a treat. While it is a new launch, its not exactly what you think. Putting a delightful twist on watch collectibles, the brand has launched Minimilians- a quirky collection of alien-like creatures with heads modelled after the various watches making up the MB&F collection. Imagine a miniature versions of The Frog but in a Minimilian form with its pop-out eyes, Minimilian Thunderbolt with those cool aviation vibes, and Minimilian Aquapod with its chubby round face – just to name a few. Since kicking off in 2005, MB&F has rolled out over 20 different calibres in about 30 distinct case shapes, and now each one has its own unique figurine.

Starting today, for every MB&F watch registered at The Tribe, whether it’s brand new or a well-loved gem from the secondary market, owners automatically score a matching Minimilian figurine, completely free of charge. This applies not just for new registrations; even if your watch is already registered at The Tribe, you’re in for a treat. The brand already has its hands full with around 1,600 existing registered watches to cover, but the first batch of Minimilians will be ready to roll out in July 2024.

The name “Minimilians” is a cheeky nod to a well-known member of the MB&F team. The Tribe currently boasts a tight-knit community of about 1,100 MB&F owners, all part of the MB&F family. The Minimilians are more than just cool collectibles; they’re a badge of honour, a sign that you’re in the club, with perks like special event access and exclusive products. Plus, Tribe members can extend their watches’ two-year warranty by another two years (if it’s currently under warranty). The Minimilians are a small token of gratitude to Tribe members, to thank them for having made the MB&F adventure possible since it started almost 20 years ago.

For MB&F owners who haven’t registered their watch yet at The Tribe can sign up now as it takes just a few minutes. Once you’re signed up, the corresponding Minimilian is boxed up and ready to find its new home. Every MB&F watch is at some point in their journey and each Minimilian is like a stepping-stone or a celebration in that journey, which will continue for decades or more. While many brands are diving into the digital world with blockchain, MB&F prefers to stay grounded with tangible treasures, and the Minimilians are a part of that philosophy. MB&F stands for Maximilian Büsser & Friends, and the little white Minimilian figurines are fittingly created by three existing “Friends”: Maximilian Maertens (the designer), AB Concept (the manufacturer), and Olivier Berthon (packaging).

Maximilian Maertens has been working with MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser for several years and was tasked with designing the individual characters. Inspired by the chubby ghost from the 1984 Ghostbusters’ movie poster for the overall form of the Minimilians. AB Concept and sister company AB Product, headed by Aurélien Bouchet, have been part of the MB&F Friends for several years as well. For the Minimilians, AB Concept brings a very different technology to the table: the figurines are brought to life by their state-of-the-art 3D printing machine that can create objects measuring anywhere from 2 mm to 38 cm. They are made out of polyamide, a type of nylon, which is extremely durable and shock resistant. The process starts from a powder which is transformed into grey figurines that are then painted in white, accentuating their features and personalities.

3D printing was key in the Minimilians project since many MB&F pieces have been crafted in very low numbers – but it was nonetheless important to thank the owners of those rare pieces with a matching Minimilian. Finally, the Minimilians’ packaging is taken care of by another long-time Friend of MB&F: Olivier Berthon from Soixante et Onze. For well over a decade, Olivier has been creating and manufacturing the vast majority of watch boxes and packaging for MB&F. Each Minimilian box is created from high-quality foam – the same foam that protects MB&F watch boxes – that protects the Minimilians as they travel to their new homes.