The MB&F Horological Machine Number 2 has enjoyed a really rich life. The ‘wrist rectangle’ is now going into its final limited edition production with two new models. These are the HM2 Black SV and Red SV. “SV” stands for Sapphire Vision, and are related to the original HM2 Sapphire Vision watch that I discussed here – and had a real-life image of here. The whole point of the Sapphire Vision watch was the massive sapphire crystal that made up the front plate of the piece. The crystals were ungodly expensive to make and a tortuous trial in patience as many would break in the manufacturing process. One you make the crystal and it is stable, they are relatively strong, but the weakness is in making them.

Now MB&F revisits the SV concept with these two new, slightly more showy models. I am not going to go into full technical specs about the piece – because I have already done that, and they are below. The movement is the sweet looking caliber specially designed for the HM2 with 349 parts. It has a centrally mounted “battle axe” automatic rotor (that is in 22k gold), and displays the time (with separate hour and minute indicators), along with a moon phase indicator and the date.

The HM2 Black SV is in a black PVD coated titanium case with a green gasket. How neat looking is that? To match the green color, MB&F PVD coated the 22k gold rotor in green. The HM2 Red SV is in 18k red gold, with a black gasket. As in the Black SV model, the gold rotor is PVD coated black to match the gasket. Both of these models are very handsome and reassures collectors that the Sapphire Vision look and concept was a fantastic idea. MB&F is very open on what a pain in the ass the sapphire crystals are. They are said to be incredible complex, requiring over 100 components to make them, and requiring over 55 hours for each large sapphire plate to be cut. Of course, all the holes (for the screws) and fine details are the hardest to do.

How many of these “Final Edition MB&F HM2 models will be made? Just 18 pieces for the HM2 Black SV and another 18 pieces for the Red SV. Prices are $98,000 each. What to expect next? You guessed it, special versions of the HM4.

HM2 Final Editions — Technical Specifications

HM2-Black SV and HM2-RedSV are limited editions of 18 pieces (each)

Movement:

Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor designed functionality regulated and powered by a Girard-Perregaux base

Balance oscillating at 28,800 bph

22K red gold battle-axe automatic winding rotor (green PVD coated 22K for HM2-Black SV)

Number of components: 349 including 44 jewels

Functions:

Left dial: Retrograde Date and Bi-Hemisphere Moon Phase

Right Dial: Jumping Hours and Concentric Retrograde Minutes

Case:

HM2-Black SV: Sapphire/black PVD coated titanium baseplate, electric green gasket, limited to 18 pieces

HM2-Red SV: Sapphire/18K red gold baseplate, black gasket, limited to 18 pieces

Dimensions (exclusive of crown and lugs): 59mm x 38mm x 13mm

Water resistant to 30 meters (3 ATM)

Number of parts: 120 (case only)

Sapphire crystals:

Sapphire case top and crystals over the dual dials treated with anti-reflective treatment on both faces. Display back with anti-reflective treatment on single face.

Dials:

Brushed sapphire and black metallic disks

Strap & Buckle:

Black hand-stitched alligator with 18K gold & titanium folding buckle

Presentation box:

Precision engineered aluminum and leather instrument case featuring an integrated Rüeger thermometer