The new MB&F Horological Machine No. 7, nicknamed “Aquapod,” combines a radially symmetric design inspired by the anatomy of a jellyfish with a flying tourbillon and some elements of a classical divers’ watch. The Aquapod has a three dimensional movement architecture featuring a winding rotor, mainspring barrel, hour and minute indicators, and flying tourbillon, all concentrically mounted around a central axis and rotating concentrically around it.
The flying tourbillon sits atop this movement under the domed sapphire glass and is surrounded by the hours and minutes displays, on two concentric, spherical segment disks, made of aluminum and titanium, supported by extra-large ceramic ball bearings. The tentacle-like rotor is crafted from a solid block of titanium, with a heavy platinum mass underneath the tentacles to ensure powerful winding. All in all, the movement contains 303 components and holds a 72-hour power reserve.
The Aquapod is not a true diver’s watch — as it does not meet the required ISO standards set for diving watches. It is only water resistant to 50 meters but does incorporate a unidirectional rotating bezel with a diving scale. The bezel here is made of polished ceramic with laser-engraved, metallized-titanium-filled numerals and indices. Unlike the case in traditional watches, however, the bezel is not attached to the case but floats apart from it like a life buoy.
The case – which measures 53.8 mm in diameter and is 21.3 mm thick – has been described by MB&F as a ‘three-dimensional sandwich, with two hemispheres of high-domed sapphire crystal on either side of a metal case band.’ The crown on the left is to wind the movement, while the crown on the right is used to set the time. Both crowns are ergonomically designed to be operated by gloved or wet fingers if necessary.
In addition to the hour and minute numerals and indices – which are hand-painted on the curved disks in Super-LumiNova, a blue glow is also emitted from inside the movement – illuminating the flying tourbillon at the top of the watch and the tentacled rotor, whose curved protrusions feature alternating satin-finished and polished surfaces. This glow is achieved through the use of three panels of AGT Ultra (Ambient Glow Technology) lume applied to the inside of the movement.
The MB&F HM7 ‘Aquapod’ will be available in a grade 5 titanium case (pictured) with blue ceramic bezel or in an 18k 5N rose gold case with black ceramic bezel. Both watches come with black, engraved aircraft-grade rubber straps to complete the sporty ensemble.
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