Purple Reigns: The MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Purple Stuns In A Bold New Hue
2 min read
The MB&F HM8 Mark 2 isn’t just a timepiece—it’s a full-throttle expression of automotive design fused with haute horlogerie. This bold creation from MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) channels a deep-rooted passion for cars into one of the most daring watch designs on the market today. The HM8 Mark 2 continues a legacy that began with the HM5 in 2012, followed by the HMX in 2015 and the original HM8 in 2016—all celebrating speed, style, and mechanical storytelling.
Automotive Inspiration, Reinvented
Visually, the HM8 Mark 2 borrows from 1970s supercar dashboards with its instantly recognisable speedometer-style display, located on the front of the case for easy readability while driving. A prism-based sapphire system magnifies the time display, allowing flat-mounted disks to be read vertically—an ingenious nod to the discontinued but cult-classic Amida Digitrend.
The latest 2025 edition features glossy purple CarbonMacrolon® body panels, a technical composite infused with metallic pigments to mirror automotive paints. Previous editions came in white, British racing green, and sapphire blue—each produced in strictly limited runs of just 33 pieces.
Engineering Under the Hood
The HM8 Mark 2 is powered by a mechanical automatic movement based on a Girard-Perregaux calibre, enhanced with MB&F’s proprietary jumping hour and trailing minutes module. A 22K gold battle-axe rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal, powers the 42-hour reserve.
Key technical details include:
- Grade 5 titanium chassis with CarbonMacrolon® body panels
- Sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating
- Jumping hour and trailing minutes display via sapphire prisms
- Water resistance of 30 meters
- Revolutionary crown system with a secure “double de-clutch” release
- A sculpted rubber strap for sporty comfort
The entire chassis mimics car manufacturing, with panels attached to a structural frame—just like a high-performance vehicle. The double-domed sapphire crystal that tops the case is a marvel in itself, both visually striking and extremely complex to produce.
A Childhood Dream, Realised in Micro-Engineering
For founder Maximilian Büsser, the HM8 Mark 2 is more than a timepiece—it’s the manifestation of a childhood dream to become a car designer. Though he ultimately pursued a career in watchmaking, the HM8 line represents a full-circle moment: the merging of two lifelong passions into one radical, sculptural object.
With its nostalgic design codes, forward-thinking materials, and mechanical ingenuity, the HM8 Mark 2 continues MB&F’s mission of creating “machines that tell the time” rather than traditional wristwatches. It’s a statement piece for those who value independence, creativity, and craftsmanship—whether in horology or horsepower.
MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Purple Price : Approximately CHF 68,000
