It’s A Complicated MB&F Kind Of Monday With The New LM Sequential Flyback Platinum
The chronograph that won the GPHG Aiguille d’Or two years ago is now available in platinum. Well, not exactly. The 33 pieces of the LM Sequential Flyback Platinum have an extra function compared to the prize-winning watch — a flyback function. On top of that, the chronograph comes in a different case. The sporty EVO case makes way for the more classic Legacy Machine case. And this time, rather than zirconium, it’s made of prestigious platinum.
The LM Sequential EVO is the brainchild of the Northern Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell. The watch has two chronograph displays and one time display. Its wearer can start, stop, and reset both chronographs independently using the pushers on either side of the case. There’s also a fifth pusher, which allows the user to control both chronograph systems. When both chronographs are stopped, one click of the fifth pusher will start them both. If both of them are running, the so-called “Twinverter” will stop both. Lastly, if one chronograph is running and the other is stopped, with one click, the running chronograph stops and the other one starts. This is undoubtedly impressive stuff. But McDonnell thought he could do better.
The LM Sequential Flyback Platinum has a complicated bonus function
With the LM Sequential EVO, McDonnell created a chronograph featuring an unprecedented combination of timing modes. But despite winning a prestigious award, he wasn’t completely satisfied. Something was missing, and that something now shows up in the name of the LM Sequential Flyback Platinum. Indeed, it’s the flyback function. It took two years of secret-keeping and testing to ensure the system would be robust enough in the long term.
The LM Sequential Flyback Platinum features the same layout as the LM Sequential EVO with two chronograph displays. Is that to make it easier on the existing owners who want this upgraded version as well? Anyway, the first chronograph shows the seconds at 9 and the minutes at 11 o’clock. The other chrono shows seconds at 3 and minutes at 1 o’clock. And yes, each of these chronographs starts, stops, and resets independently of the other; just find the start/stop and reset pushers on their respective sides of the case. And now the reset pusher also acts as the new flyback function – these pushers now also read “flyback.” There are four chronograph pushers to operate the two corresponding chronographs. Finally, the pusher at 9 o’clock is the Twinverter, the switch that inverts the current start/stop status of both chronographs.
A 619-part movement in motion
The original LM Sequential EVO was a very impressive watch, but for this upgraded version, MB&F chose a case that would emphasize the complexity of the 619-part (!) movement better. So it’s out with the sportier EVO case and in with the domed, theatrical Legacy Machine-style case. If you’re willing to shell out CHF 188,000 / US$218,000 / €192,000 excluding taxes, what you’ll have on your wrist are open-worked, domed sub-dials in white lacquer, an hours-and-minutes dial tilted toward you thanks to conical gears, blued hands, and a sky-blue dial plate under a domed sapphire crystal. Oh yes, and don’t forget the heavy and luxurious 88-part, 44 × 18.2mm platinum case with screwed lugs and a leather strap.
Tell me, if you had plenty of room in your budget to acquire a watch this expensive, would you consider buying the new MB&F LM Sequential Flyback Platinum? I don’t think I can answer that question yet, so I ask you. It is crazy complex and very original with mind-blowing stuff happening beneath the sapphire crystal. The only things that need some getting used to are the many prominent pushers. But I guess an LM Sequential Flyback Monopusher is a bit too much to ask for. Right, Stephen McDonnell?
