When mechanical ingenuity meets artistic imagination, unexpected worlds come to life. MB&F joins forces with independent artist and enameler Gabriel Colliard to transform the LM101—one of its most iconic creations—into three miniature jungles overflowing with color, craftsmanship, and profound technical mastery.
Three Worlds, Three Colors, and Absolute Mastery of Fire
This collaboration fuses seemingly opposing universes: traditional artistic crafts, avant-garde watchmaking, and absolute creative freedom. The project stemmed from MB&F’s desire to support Gabriel’s independent talent, inviting him to develop his own compositions inspired by the brightly colored enameled dials of the 1950s, yet reinterpreted with a contemporary chromatic focus centered around a single dominant tone per edition:
- Macaw (Red): A pair of scarlet macaws take flight across a vibrant landscape radiating energy, communication, and vitality.
- Monkey (Blue): A playful ape inhabits a serene blue world surrounded by lush vegetation and gently rippling lake waters.
- Crocodile (Green): An ancient reptile reigns supreme in an organic, dreamlike environment dominated by green hues evoking strength and survival.
Each of these three lines is strictly limited to just 8 pieces. Due to the inherent complexity of cloisonné enamel—where fine gold wires define the compartments and every firing in the kiln carries an element of unpredictability—producing all 24 watches is expected to take over two years of meticulous work. As an exclusive touch, the movement’s reverse side conceals an enameled ratchet wheel that extends the jungle universe of the dial.
Mechanical Architecture in Service of Art
Integrating an enameled landscape into the three-dimensional architecture of the Legacy Machine 101 presented a major challenge. The signature 14mm suspended balance wheel and sculptural bridges required specific mechanical adaptations, such as modifying the dial plate (the minute bridge) and lengthening the hands to allow an unobstructed view of the artwork.
Housed in a 40mm platinum case, the LM101 features an enhanced manual-winding movement composed of 222 parts. It delivers an impressive power reserve of 60 hours (up from 45 hours in previous models) and incorporates a dual Straumann hairspring.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | MB&F LM101 Gabriel Colliard (Limited editions of 8 pieces each: Monkey-Blue, Macaw-Red, Crocodile-Green) |
| Case | Platinum, diameter 40 mm, height 16.55 mm, water resistance 30 meters |
| Dial & Mechanism | Dial plate and ratchet wheel featuring traditional cloisonné enamel by Gabriel Colliard |
| Movement | Three-dimensional horological movement developed in-house by MB&F with Kari Voutilainen |
| Frequency & Reserve | 18,000 bph (2.5 Hz); 60-hour power reserve with dual Straumann hairspring |
| Strap | Alligator leather strap with steel folding buckle and white gold cover |
