When A Robot Dreams Of Becoming A Watch You Get MB&F’s HM12 The Guardian

For two decades, MB&F has occupied a unique corner of haute horlogerie, creating machines that blur the line between watchmaking, art, science fiction and childhood imagination. Now, as the independent watchmaker steps into its third decade, it unveils one of its most ambitious creations yet: the HM12 The Guardian. More than a wristwatch and far beyond a collectible object, The Guardian is a complete horological universe comprising a highly complex mechanical timepiece and a towering robot companion that together form a singular expression of MB&F’s creative DNA.

At first glance, HM12 The Guardian feels like something lifted straight from the pages of a vintage science-fiction comic. Yet beneath its playful appearance lies an extraordinary feat of engineering. Each complete set consists of nearly 1,500 components and combines two mechanical creations: the HM12 wristwatch and a 38cm-tall robot known simply as The Guardian. Produced in three limited editions of just 12 pieces each, the project is among the most exclusive and technically elaborate concepts ever developed by MB&F.

A Return to the Brand's Imagination-Fuelled Roots

The story of HM12 The Guardian begins long before the watch itself. Robots have been a recurring theme throughout the career of MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser, whose childhood fascination with futuristic toys and science-fiction heroes has inspired many of the brand's most memorable creations. One of the strongest examples arrived in 2015 with Melchior, the robot-shaped clock developed alongside L’Epée 1839. More than a decade later, that fascination has evolved into something even more ambitious.

Originally conceived to celebrate MB&F’s twentieth anniversary, the project grew far beyond its initial scope. Years of development transformed what was intended as a commemorative release into a statement piece worthy of launching the brand's next chapter. The result is not simply another Horological Machine but a reaffirmation of everything MB&F represents: creativity without compromise, mechanical innovation and an unwavering commitment to wonder.

For MB&F, revisiting its roots does not mean repeating the past. Instead, it means revisiting the ideas that have defined the brand from the beginning and challenging them in new ways. The Guardian embodies that philosophy by bringing together elements of Horological Machines, Legacy Machines, high-end finishing, unconventional displays and narrative-driven design into one cohesive mechanical sculpture.

A New Creative Partnership Takes Centre Stage

HM12 also marks a significant evolution within MB&F's creative structure. While longtime collaborator Eric Giroud remains closely involved with the brand, this is the first Horological Machine conceived entirely through the partnership of Maximilian Büsser and Maximilian Maertens.

Büsser initiated the concept with a deceptively simple question: what if a robot's head was actually a watch? From there, Maertens became the project's chief architect, spending more than four years refining every aspect of the design. Through countless sketches, digital models and prototypes, he shaped the character, proportions and mechanics that would eventually become HM12 The Guardian.

The result is a creation that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. It draws inspiration from different generations of science fiction ranging from the robots and space adventures that shaped Büsser's childhood to the more sophisticated machine characters seen in modern films and animated series that influenced Maertens. The watch becomes a bridge between these worlds, carrying decades of robotic imagination into contemporary horology.

The Watch as a Mechanical Face

Unlike conventional watches that begin with movement architecture and then develop an exterior design, HM12 was conceived first as a face. The entire watch forms the head of The Guardian, creating an immediate emotional connection with the observer. Its most striking feature is the time display, which doubles as the robot's eyes. On the left sits an instantaneous jumping-hour display, while the right eye presents trailing minutes. Rather than traditional hands, rotating discs deliver the information through fixed reading points, giving the watch a constantly animated expression.

Below the eyes sits one half of the double-sided micro-rotor, shaped like MB&F's signature battle-axe and positioned where a mouth would naturally appear. Above them hovers the watch's mechanical brain: a spectacular flying tourbillon. Rather than adopting a futuristic aesthetic, MB&F chose to showcase the tourbillon in a classical style, reinforcing the dialogue between traditional watchmaking and avant-garde design.

The sapphire crystal construction further amplifies this effect. Large transparent surfaces allow light to flood the movement from multiple directions, illuminating the tourbillon and making it visible both from the front and through the sides of the case.

The Face Shield Complication

Among HM12's most remarkable achievements is a feature never before seen in haute horlogerie: a fully mechanical face shield system. Operating through the left-side crown, a pair of protective shields can gradually slide across the watch's face, concealing or revealing the robot's expression. The mechanism allows infinite positioning between fully open and fully closed, enabling the wearer to decide exactly how much of the watch remains visible.

Far more than a decorative flourish, the shield system functions as a complication in its own right. Dedicated entirely to this mechanism are more than 200 components an astonishing figure considering that many complete watches contain fewer parts. The crown employs a sophisticated declutching system that automatically disengages when the shields reach their limit, preventing unnecessary strain on the mechanism.

What makes the achievement even more impressive is the finishing. Components within the shield assembly feature polished wheels, refined chatons and hand-finished inward angles typically reserved for traditional high horology. Throughout development, two separate engineering teams worked simultaneously one focused on the movement and the other on the shield mechanism ensuring both systems could coexist seamlessly within the same compact space.

Engineering Meets Artistry

Powering HM12 is an entirely in-house calibre consisting of 646 components and 86 jewels. Delivering an impressive 84-hour power reserve, the movement showcases MB&F's ability to blend technical sophistication with artistic expression. Turn the watch over and the visual language shifts dramatically. While the front embraces futuristic storytelling, the reverse reveals a more traditional horological personality. Symmetrical architecture, elegant bridge designs and classical finishing techniques create a striking contrast with the watch's robotic face.

The movement itself was designed specifically to follow the contours of the case rather than being adapted to fit within it. This approach creates a harmonious visual balance reminiscent of human facial proportions. Particularly noteworthy is the rear rotor, which features a beautifully executed guilloché dome developed with the involvement of independent watchmaking legend Kari Voutilainen and his team. Executing guilloché on a curved spherical surface rather than a flat plane represents a significant technical challenge and demonstrates the extraordinary level of craftsmanship invested in every detail.

Meet The Guardian

As impressive as the watch may be, it is only half of the story. Every HM12 is delivered with The Guardian, a fully realised robotic companion developed by L’Epée 1839. Standing nearly 38 centimetres tall and incorporating 755 mechanical components, it is far more than a display stand.

The watch detaches effortlessly from its strap through a quick-release system and clips securely onto the robot's head, completing the figure. Hidden within the robot's base is a discreet drawer that stores the strap when not in use. At the centre of The Guardian's chest sits a mechanical thermometer, functioning as the robot's beating heart. One arm carries a shield that cleverly conceals a loupe, allowing owners to inspect the intricate finishing of the watch in microscopic detail. The opposite arm houses a detachable UV torch capable of activating the Super-LumiNova on both the watch and the robot itself, bringing the entire creation to life in darkness. Every aspect of The Guardian has been designed to encourage interaction, exploration and play, qualities rarely associated with traditional haute horlogerie but deeply embedded within MB&F's philosophy.

A Collector's Dream

Available in blue, purple and green versions, HM12 The Guardian will be produced in a total of just 36 examples worldwide 12 pieces per colour. Once completed, no additional editions will be made. More importantly, however, HM12 The Guardian stands as a declaration of intent. It distils the essence of MB&F into a single object: science-fiction inspiration, uncompromising mechanical innovation, traditional hand-finishing and a sense of childlike wonder. Beneath its playful exterior lies one of the most technically ambitious projects the brand has ever undertaken.

In an era when many luxury watches focus on heritage and nostalgia, HM12 The Guardian dares to look forward. It reminds us that horology can still surprise, entertain and ignite the imagination. And perhaps that is exactly what MB&F has always done best- creating machines with souls, personalities and stories waiting to be discovered.

Price: CHF 280,000