A new location can sometimes open with little fanfare. At MB&F, it has become the inspiration for an exclusive timepiece designed to mark a new milestone in the independent watchmaker’s history. With the LM101 EVO NYC Edition, the brand is celebrating the opening of its first New York lounge by unveiling a limited edition that will be available nowhere else. It is a strategy aimed squarely at high-end watch enthusiasts and collectors seeking exceptionally rare pieces.
A rose gold case designed for everyday wear
The MB&F LM101 EVO NYC Edition retains the dimensions of the standard LM101 EVO, featuring a 40 mm case with a thickness of 16.5 mm. The most significant change is the use of 5N+ rose gold, replacing the titanium case of the original model and giving the watch a warmer, more refined presence on the wrist.
As with every model in the EVO collection, this watch is about more than aesthetics. The case incorporates MB&F‘s FlexRing shock-absorption system, developed to improve the movement’s protection against everyday impacts. The construction also features a double-sided anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal, complemented by a sapphire caseback that showcases the movement.
The watch is fitted with a screw-down crown and offers 80 meters of water resistance, a specification rarely found on a watch equipped with such a prominent suspended balance wheel. It is paired with an integrated black rubber strap secured by a rose gold folding clasp, reinforcing its contemporary character while maximizing comfort.
A dial that puts the mechanics center stage
The dial features a sunburst black PVD finish that contrasts beautifully with the rose gold elements, immediately highlighting the distinctive architecture of the Legacy Machine collection.
As on other models in the family, the hours and minutes are displayed on a slightly raised subdial, while the power reserve indicator is positioned in the lower section. This layout frees the center of the dial to showcase the spectacular 14 mm suspended balance wheel, the unmistakable visual signature of the collection.
Beneath the highly domed sapphire crystal, this three-dimensional architecture creates remarkable depth and offers a unique way of experiencing the watch, with the movement naturally taking center stage.
An in-house movement enhanced by exceptional finishing
Powering this edition is the LM101 EVO caliber, a hand-wound movement developed entirely in-house by MB&F. It consists of 233 components and 23 jewels, operating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz). This relatively slow beat rate allows the wearer to fully appreciate the graceful oscillations of the large suspended balance wheel, one of the manufacture’s defining technical signatures.
The movement is equipped with a dual Straumann hairspring, produced by Precision Engineering AG, ensuring stable and precise operation. It delivers a 60-hour power reserve, displayed directly on the dial.
Turning the watch over reveals equally impressive craftsmanship, with meticulously decorated bridges and finishing overseen by master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. Mirror polishing, hand-beveled edges, and traditional decorative techniques elevate every detail of the caliber, transforming the movement into a genuine work of mechanical art.
An “MB&F NYC” engraving on the caseback serves as a final reminder of the exclusive nature of this edition, created to celebrate the opening of the brand’s Manhattan lounge.
Availability and price of the MB&F LM101 EVO NYC Edition
The MB&F LM101 EVO NYC Edition is limited to just 25 pieces. It is available exclusively at the MB&F NYC Lounge in Manhattan, the brand’s first directly operated location in the United States after more than two decades of working through retail partners.
The watch is priced at US$105,000, equivalent to CHF 77,000, taxes included. With such a highly limited production run and distribution restricted to a single location, this release is already set to become one of the most exclusive editions in the Legacy Machine collection.