Geneva Watch Days 2025: MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO: Titanium Sports Watch Marks The Brand's 20th Anniversary
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MB&F has released the Legacy Machine 101 EVO, marking the company's 20th anniversary in 2025 with a sports-oriented evolution of their foundational timepiece. The LM101 EVO represents the fourth model in MB&F's EVO series, following the LM Perpetual EVO (2020), LM Split Escapement EVO, and LM Sequential EVO (both 2022).
Technical Foundation and Movement Architecture
The LM101 EVO builds upon the original LM101 calibre, first launched in 2014 as MB&F's inaugural in-house movement. The manually-wound movement features a three-dimensional architecture centered around a prominent 14mm flying balance wheel that floats above the dial plane. Independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen contributed to the movement's design and finishing specifications, ensuring adherence to 19th-century haute horlogerie standards. The EVO variant introduces several technical improvements over the standard LM101. Power reserve has been extended from 45 hours to 60 hours through mainspring optimization. The movement operates at 18,000 beats per hour (2.5Hz) and comprises 233 components with 23 jewels. A Straumann double hairspring regulates timekeeping, while a slipping mainspring barrel prevents overwinding damage.
EVO Series Enhancements
The EVO treatment transforms the LM101 into a sports-oriented timepiece through specific engineering modifications. Water resistance increases to 80 meters with the addition of a screw-down crown. MB&F's proprietary FlexRing shock absorption system mounts between the case and movement, protecting the delicate mechanics during active wear. The case construction utilizes titanium for reduced weight and enhanced durability. Measuring 40mm in diameter and 16.5mm in height, the case eliminates the traditional bezel design, providing an unobstructed view through the domed sapphire crystal. The integrated strap design creates ergonomic continuity from case to wrist.
Two dial plate options utilize Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coating technology. The peacock green variant displays shifting hues of green, blue, and purple through light refraction. The salmon option represents an uncommon color choice within MB&F's portfolio. Both dial plates integrate structurally into the movement architecture. The dial layout features two elevated subdials with newly added circled borders. Hours and minutes display through redesigned white gold hands positioned in the upper right subdial. The power reserve indicator occupies the lower subdial, now capable of displaying the extended 60-hour capacity. The EVO edition incorporates darkened treatment throughout the movement components, enhancing the contemporary sports aesthetic. Traditional finishing techniques include undulating Geneva waves, hand-polished bevels, gold chatons, countersunk blued screws, and curved plates and bridges. The escapement wheel features a refined redesign incorporating MB&F's recurring battle-axe motif. Twin arches suspending the balance wheel are milled from single metal blocks and require extensive hand-finishing to achieve mirror-like surfaces. The EVO version features more fluid arch bases, distinguishing it from the standard LM101. A box sapphire crystal caseback reveals the decorated movement beneath.
The LM101 EVO operates through a manually-wound movement with 233 components and 23 jewels, delivering 60 hours of power reserve. The 40mm titanium case provides 80-meter water resistance with FlexRing shock protection. The 14mm balance wheel maintains its elevated position above the dial, regulated by a Straumann double hairspring at 18,000 beats per hour. Both salmon and peacock green CVD dial variants feature redesigned subdials and extended power reserve indication capability.
While not formally limited, production capacity restricts output to several dozen pieces annually. Each timepiece includes a choice of white or grey rubber straps with matching titanium folding buckles. The integrated strap design eliminates traditional lug attachment points, creating a seamless case-to-strap transition. The LM101 series has evolved through multiple iterations in various precious metals and case materials since its 2014 debut. The EVO treatment answers collector requests for a more robust, sports-oriented version suitable for active wear while maintaining the model's distinctive visual and mechanical characteristics.
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