MB&F’s LM Sequential Flyback EVO Redefines The Chronograph, Once Again

When MB&F unveiled the Legacy Machine Sequential EVO in 2022, it didn’t merely introduce a new chronograph it rewrote the rules of what a mechanical chronograph could be. The watch world responded in kind, awarding it the GPHG Aiguille d’Or, the most coveted prize in haute horlogerie. Four years later, MB&F returns with a new chapter in that story: the LM Sequential Flyback EVO, a titanium-cased evolution that combines unprecedented chronograph versatility with the practicality of a flyback function and the robustness of the EVO architecture. At its heart, this is a watch born not from tradition alone, but from questioning tradition and then daring to improve upon it.

A Chronograph That Changed the Conversation

The original LM Sequential EVO marked a watershed moment for MB&F. It was the brand’s first chronograph and its 20th in-house calibre, conceived by Northern Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, the creative force behind the LM Perpetual. What set it apart was not just technical innovation, but utility something rarely prioritised in avant-garde watchmaking.

The Sequential calibre introduced two independent chronographs within a single movement, controlled by a revolutionary binary switch known as the Twinverter. This allowed for an unprecedented range of timing modes: independent timing, split-second, cumulative, and lap-timer functions all within one wristwatch. The result was a chronograph that could genuinely adapt to real-world scenarios, from sports timing to productivity tracking, rather than existing as a purely theoretical complication. Yet even at launch, McDonnell knew the concept wasn’t complete.

The Flyback That Had to Wait

From the outset, the Sequential movement was designed with a flyback system in mind. In fact, McDonnell’s original prototype already incorporated provisions for it. But perfecting the mechanism proved exceptionally complex. Nine months of prototyping followed, four of them dedicated exclusively to the flyback, with no fewer than six redesigns along the way.

The challenge lay in friction management. A flyback chronograph must stop, reset, and restart instantly any resistance or blockage could compromise functionality or reliability. With so many untested innovations already present, McDonnell made the rare but wise decision to delay the flyback. Releasing the watch with too many unknowns, he felt, would be reckless. Instead, MB&F chose patience. That patience paid off in 2024, when the LM Sequential Flyback debuted in the more classical Legacy Machine case. And now, in 2026, the flyback function finally enters the EVO family.

Enter the LM Sequential Flyback EVO

The new LM Sequential Flyback EVO brings together the best of both worlds: the flyback functionality of the Sequential Flyback and the rugged, lifestyle-oriented EVO architecture. Housed in a grade 5 titanium case, the watch features a striking aquamarine dial plate, injecting freshness into MB&F’s signature Legacy Machine aesthetic.

For the first time in the EVO line, the watch also incorporates a tilted time display, previously reserved for the classic LM Sequential. This subtle inclination significantly improves legibility, reinforcing the watch’s emphasis on real-world usability. As with all EVO models, durability is key. The watch offers 80 metres of water resistance, a screw-down crown, an integrated rubber strap, and MB&F’s proprietary FlexRing shock absorber, positioned between the case and movement to protect the mechanism from impacts. The result is a high-complication chronograph that doesn’t shy away from daily wear.

At the core of the Sequential calibre lies an ingenious solution to a fundamental problem. Chronographs are notorious for energy loss, particularly when engaged. With two chronographs running simultaneously, those losses would normally double an unacceptable compromise. McDonnell’s answer was radical: internally jewelled vertical clutches integrated directly into the gear train. This eliminates amplitude drop, flutter of the chronograph seconds hand, and the need for friction springs that sap power.

The flyback system itself required further innovation. It, too, relies on jewelling to function correctly. To minimise friction and prevent the return-to-zero from blocking, McDonnell developed a special jewelled roller a component unavailable from any supplier. For the first prototype, he made the jewel himself to prove the concept. This mechanism is one of five patented elements within the Sequential calibre. The result is a chronograph that not only matches but surpasses conventional systems in both energy efficiency and precision.

What Can It Do? Almost Everything.

Visually, the LM Sequential Flyback EVO presents two mirrored chronograph displays. One shows seconds at 9 o’clock and minutes at 11; the other mirrors this at 3 and 1 o’clock. Each chronograph operates independently via its own start/stop and reset pushers. When running, the reset pushers activate the flyback function, instantly restarting the timing sequence. Then there is the fifth pusher: the Twinverter, positioned at 9 o’clock.

This “magic button” inverts the status of both chronographs simultaneously. If both are stopped, they start together. If both are running, they stop. If one is running and the other stopped, their states are instantly swapped. This simple binary logic unlocks extraordinary versatility. Independent Mode allows users to time unrelated events ideal for cooking, workouts, or productivity tracking. The flyback simplifies repeated timing with a single press.

-Simultaneous (Split-Second) Mode lets two events be timed from the same start, with durations exceeding the usual 60-second limitation of most rattrapante chronographs.

-Cumulative Mode tracks time spent across multiple tasks, switching seamlessly via the Twinverter perfect for work, training, or even chess matches.

-Sequential (Lap-Timer) Mode enables accurate lap timing, with one chronograph running while the other records results. Thanks to minute totalisers, it’s ideal for motorsports and other long-lap disciplines.

-Flyback Mode, originally developed for 1930s aviation, allows instant reset and restart critical for waypoint navigation. In the Sequential Flyback EVO, it can be combined with other modes, enabling one chronograph to track total flight time while the other times individual legs.

A Creative Partnership

When Maximilian Büsser approached Stephen McDonnell in 2016 about a follow-up to the LM Perpetual, McDonnell replied simply: “I have an idea.” That idea drew inspiration from those historical systems, reimagined for the wrist. By using two chronograph mechanisms linked to a single oscillator perfectly suited to the Legacy Machine’s flying balance wheel McDonnell eliminated timing discrepancies entirely. The Twinverter became the modern equivalent of the combined operating lever, refined into a logical, mechanical programming gate.

Stephen McDonnell has been integral to MB&F since its earliest days, assembling movements for Horological Machine No.1 before returning a decade later to redefine the perpetual calendar. His philosophy blue-sky thinking grounded in practical horology perfectly complements Maximilian Büsser’s futuristic vision. Together, they have created not just another chronograph, but a fundamentally new way of measuring time. With the LM Sequential Flyback EVO, MB&F proves once again that innovation in mechanical watchmaking is far from over. It simply requires the courage to ask better questions and the patience to answer them properly.