The Funky Groove of the New MB&F HM8 Mark 2 Purple

Max Büsser’s childhood dream was to become a car designer. Although he ultimately studied engineering and founded MB&F, one of the most successful indie watch brands, his passion for cars has permeated his design language, resulting in driver’s watches like the 1970s-inspired HM5, featuring a lateral speedometer-style display. The HM8 Mark 2, released in 2023, is a true hybrid, fusing the supercar bodywork of the HM5, the compact dimensions of the HMX and the exposed winding rotor of the HM8 Can-Am. Just ahead of the laid-back summer months, MB&F releases the fourth iteration of its HM8 Mark 2 with groovy purple metallic bodywork.

Not only does the HM8 Mark 2 emulate the streamlined profile of a supercar, but it is also built like a car, with the engine mounted on a water-resistant titanium chassis to which body panels are then added. Flanking the former editions of the watch, with white, British racing green and blue coachwork, the new HM8 Mark 2 flaunts sparkly purple bodywork, a colour associated with the funky disco years of the 1970s.

Sharing the same specifications as earlier editions, the 47mm long case, with a width of 41.5mm and a height of 19mm (at the display end of the case), is made of titanium and features lightweight yet resilient CarbonMacrolon (polymer matrix injected with carbon nanotubes) panels. The panels are painted with a mineral-based purple metallic pigment, the same as that found in high-end metallic car paint.

The notoriously difficult-to-produce double bubble sapphire crystals offer strategic views of the mechanics and flood the movement with light. Viewed from the top, you can watch the signature 22k gold battle axe rotor in action. Comprising 247 components, MB&F developed the 3D engine, which is powered by a Girard-Perregaux automatic base calibre with a 42-hour power reserve.

Shaped like inverted goggles, the dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms, with integrated magnifying lenses, create a highly legible speedometer-style time display. Placed upside-down and arranged on two discs, the numerals are reversed to a normal position when projected through the prisms. The hours, indicated in the left window, are jumping hours, and a light-blue pointer indicates the trailing minutes on the right.

The HM8 Mark 2 Purple comes with a white rubber strap. Limited to 33 pieces, the watch retails for CHF 68,000, EUR 74,000 or USD 88,000 (all prices excl. tax). For more information, please visit mbandf.com.