MB&F

Who are MB&F?

MB&F is a small Swiss watch company in Geneva, founded in July 2005 by Maximilian Büsser (Wikipedia). The name stands for Maximilian Büsser & Friends, because each watch is developed with outside watchmakers, engineers and designers (SJX). This page covers its history, watches and ownership, then what to check when buying a second-hand MB&F in the UK.

MB&F makes watches in very small numbers: 419 wristwatches in 2023, according to figures reported by Bloomberg (Swissinfo). Wikipedia’s company profile gives 350 pieces for 2022. Its watches fall into two main families, the Horological Machines and the Legacy Machines, plus the M.A.D. Editions, sold through its own galleries.

The history of MB&F

MB&F’s history runs from its founder’s years as an executive at other watch companies, through the first Horological Machine in 2007 and the first Legacy Machine in 2011, to a minority investment by Chanel in 2024.

Before MB&F. Büsser studied engineering at the EPFL in Lausanne and joined Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1991, staying until 1998 (Wikipedia, Maximilian Büsser). From 1998 to 2005 he ran Harry Winston Rare Timepieces in Geneva, as chief executive according to Wikipedia. There he created the Opus series, watches made in collaboration with independent watchmakers (Wikipedia, Maximilian Büsser). That way of working became the model for his own company.

The founding. Büsser left Harry Winston and founded MB&F in Geneva in July 2005 (Wikipedia). Serge Kriknoff, who runs research and development and production, is the other long-standing partner (Swissinfo).

Horological Machines. The first watch, HM1, appeared in 2007. Its case was designed by Eric Giroud and its movement, with four mainspring barrels, by Peter Speake-Marin with Laurent Besse; SJX reports that Stephen McDonnell did the final assembly after the original subcontractor withdrew. HM2 followed in 2008, HM3 in 2009 and HM4 in 2010 (SJX). HM4 Thunderbolt won the concept and design prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2010, and HM10 Bulldog arrived in 2020 (Wikipedia).

Legacy Machines. In 2011 MB&F introduced LM1, the first of a round-cased family with a more traditional look. SJX says its bridges were designed by Kari Voutilainen and made by Jean-François Mojon’s company, Chronode. LM1 won the men’s watch prize and the public prize at the 2012 GPHG (Wikipedia). The LM Perpetual followed in 2015, with a perpetual calendar mechanism developed by Stephen McDonnell (SJX), and won the GPHG calendar prize in 2016. Wikipedia says MB&F received a patent in 2018 for a perpetual calendar that corrects itself at the end of shorter months. LM FlyingT, its first watch for women, won the ladies’ complication prize in 2019 (Wikipedia).

Galleries and other machines. Büsser opened the first M.A.D.Gallery, short for Mechanical Art Devices, in Geneva in 2011 to show his watches beside kinetic art by others (Wikipedia). Wikipedia lists further galleries in Dubai and Taipei; its article on Büsser adds Hong Kong. In 2013 MB&F began its Co-Creations, objects that are not wristwatches, with MusicMachine 1, a music box made with Reuge; it has also made table clocks with L’Epée 1839 (Fratello).

M.A.D. Editions and the Aiguille d’Or. In 2021 MB&F released M.A.D.1, a 500-piece edition built on a Miyota base movement, and in 2022 it opened the M.A.D. House in Geneva (SJX). Also in 2022 the LM Sequential EVO, MB&F’s first chronograph, won the Aiguille d’Or, the GPHG’s main prize (Time+Tide). M.A.D.2, with a La Joux-Perret base movement, followed in 2025 as MB&F marked 20 years (SJX).

Chanel. In August 2024 Chanel bought a 25% stake. Büsser’s holding fell from 80% to 60%, Kriknoff holds 15%, and Chanel has a right of first refusal on future share sales (Swissinfo). Büsser said the deal would help the company outlast his own time in charge (Swissinfo).

What is MB&F known for?

MB&F is known for watches that look more like machines or sculptures than conventional watches, made in small numbers with outside specialists, and for showing them in its own art galleries.

The “Friends” model. MB&F’s watches are developed with named outside craftsmen rather than by one large in-house team. The early HM1 and LM1 credits show this: Eric Giroud on design, Peter Speake-Marin and Laurent Besse on the HM1 movement, Kari Voutilainen and Jean-François Mojon on the LM1 bridges, and Stephen McDonnell on assembly and the perpetual calendar (SJX). Our guide to in-house and outsourced movements explains why the question of who made a movement matters when you buy.

Small output. MB&F made 419 wristwatches in 2023 and employed about 60 people in 2024 (Swissinfo). Wikipedia gives 48 employees in 2023.

Two families. The Horological Machines are the more unusual watches, numbered from HM1; the Legacy Machines use round cases and draw on traditional watchmaking (Wikipedia).

Awards. MB&F has won several GPHG prizes, including the Aiguille d’Or in 2022 for the LM Sequential EVO (Wikipedia; Time+Tide). Time+Tide describes that watch as having two column-wheel chronographs in a 44mm zirconium case and calls it MB&F’s 20th calibre.

Galleries. The M.A.D.Galleries sell MB&F’s own pieces and work by other artists (Wikipedia).

Which MB&F collections are there?

MB&F’s watches are grouped into the Horological Machines, the Legacy Machines and the M.A.D. Editions (Wikipedia; SJX). It also makes non-watch Co-Creations, such as clocks with L’Epée 1839 (Fratello).

The collections table on this page gives the year each family began and a line on each. A few points help when you read listings:

• Model numbers. Horological Machines are numbered (HM1, HM2 and so on) and Legacy Machines carry names such as LM Perpetual or LM Sequential EVO (Wikipedia). Each number or name usually comes in several case metals and dial colours, so read the full description and the papers, not only the model name.
• M.A.D. Editions are different. M.A.D.1 and M.A.D.2 use supplier base movements from Miyota and La Joux-Perret (SJX), and MB&F’s warranty for them only applies if the watch was bought and serviced through an official M.A.D.Gallery (MB&F). Do not compare them with Horological or Legacy Machines as if they were the same kind of watch.
• Limited editions. Many MB&F pieces are made in numbered series. Match the number on the watch to the papers.

Who owns MB&F?

MB&F is privately owned. Since August 2024 the founder, Maximilian Büsser, has held 60%, Chanel 25% and Serge Kriknoff, MB&F’s head of research and development and production, 15% (Swissinfo, reporting Bloomberg). The financial terms were not disclosed (Swissinfo).

Chanel’s stake is a minority one, and Büsser said it would help keep the company independent (Swissinfo). Chanel has made similar minority investments in other independent watchmakers, including F.P. Journe (Options The Edge). Our Chanel page covers Chanel’s own watches.

Buying an MB&F watch second-hand in the UK: what to check

Check that the watch comes with its papers, find out which family it belongs to because that decides the warranty and who can service it, ask for the service history, and run a stolen-watch check.

1. Papers and the full set. Ask for the original warranty papers and box, and check that the serial number on the papers matches the watch. Our guide to what “full set” means explains what each item proves.

2. Warranty. MB&F’s warranty for M.A.D. Edition watches lasts two years from the original purchase, excludes the leather strap, and is void unless the watch was bought from, and only maintained by, an official M.A.D.Gallery (MB&F). For Horological and Legacy Machines, MB&F’s warranty page refused automated access when we checked. See watch warranties explained.

3. Servicing. These are complicated movements made in small numbers, so ask when the watch was last serviced, by whom, and for the paperwork. MB&F’s M.A.D. Edition warranty recommends replacing the seals regularly through an official gallery once the warranty ends (MB&F). In 2018 MB&F also began selling some second-hand watches itself, each serviced and refurbished by its Geneva watchmakers and sold with a two-year warranty (WristReview). Our guide on how to care for a mechanical watch covers what a service involves.

4. Authenticity. With so few watches made, an independent check matters. Buy from a seller who will put authenticity in writing and accept returns, and have the watch inspected by a watchmaker you choose. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what a watchmaker looks at.

5. Stolen-watch check and insurance. Check the serial number against a stolen-watch register before you pay; our stolen-watch check guide lists the UK registers. For a watch made in small numbers, our guide to watch insurance in the UK covers what to tell an insurer.

For the full process from setting a budget to collecting the watch, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

What does MB&F stand for?

Maximilian Büsser & Friends (SJX).

Who founded MB&F?

Maximilian Büsser, formerly of Jaeger-LeCoultre and Harry Winston Rare Timepieces, who founded it in Geneva in July 2005 (Wikipedia).

Who owns MB&F?

Max Büsser holds 60%, Chanel 25% and Serge Kriknoff 15%, since August 2024 (Swissinfo).

Is MB&F owned by Chanel?

No. Chanel holds a 25% minority stake; the founder keeps a 60% majority (Swissinfo).

What is the difference between a Horological Machine and a Legacy Machine?

Horological Machines, from 2007, are MB&F’s original line with three-dimensional cases and movements. Legacy Machines, from 2011, use round cases and a more traditional look (Wikipedia).

How many watches does MB&F make?

419 wristwatches in 2023, according to figures reported by Bloomberg (Swissinfo).

What is the M.A.D.Gallery?

MB&F’s own gallery, first opened in Geneva in 2011, which shows its watches beside kinetic art by others. M.A.D. stands for Mechanical Art Devices (Wikipedia).

What is an MB&F M.A.D. Edition?

An MB&F line that began with M.A.D.1 in 2021, built on supplier base movements and sold through the M.A.D.Galleries (SJX; MB&F).

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with MB&F.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.