New Release: MB&F Legacy Machine 101 EVO: LM101 Receives the EVO Treatment
by Ian Skellern
MB&F celebrating 20 years already? It seems both that the futuristic brand has been around forever and at 20 years old that it’s just starting out.
MB&F’s EVO treatment transforms dress-style watches (well as close as MB&F comes to dress watches) into timepieces that can take more robust treatment.
MB&F LM101 EVO Green and Salmon
From the press release
The Legacy Machine 101 (LM101) series was first launched in 2014. With its 40mm case diameter, the LM101 is among the smallest and thinnest of all the Legacy Machines, featuring a nonetheless very three-dimensional movement, regulated by a monumental 14mm “flying” balance wheel that floats above the movement.
As its “101” name implies, the timepiece focuses on the essentials of a mechanical wristwatch: the balance wheel, which regulates precision; the power reserve, showing how much energy remains in the mainspring and when it needs to be wound; and, of course, the display of time itself.
MB&F LM101 movement
The LM101 movement was the first calibre entirely conceived by MB&F’s in-house engineering team. Award-winning, independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen played a pivotal role in the design and finishing specifications, ensuring that its architecture and 19th century style hand-finishing techniques met the highest standards of traditional haute horlogerie and respected the codes of historical watchmaking.
Over the last decade, the reference has seen many stunning iterations in white, rose and yellow gold, platinum, palladium and stainless steel – along with a plethora of striking dial colours and finishes, each as desirable as the next.
MB&F LM101 EVO Salmon on the wrist
The LM101 is now one of MB&F’s most coveted creations, and over the last few years, collectors and enthusiasts have frequently expressed their desire for an EVO edition. To mark MB&F’s 20th anniversary in 2025, the brand has finally decided to answer this request with the debut of the LM101 EVO – a fitting tribute to two decades of horological artistry and a thank you to the model’s most avid fans.
The MB&F EVO family
What is the EVO effect?
The EVO series was introduced in 2020 with the LM Perpetual EVO – an evolution of the award-winning LM Perpetual. This was followed by the LM Split Escapement EVO and the LM Sequential EVO in 2022.
MB&F LM101 EVO Green on the wrist
The EVO treatment includes a set of design and engineering enhancements that are applied to certain Legacy Machine models, transforming them into timepieces that are better equipped for everyday wear and an active lifestyle.
Key features of the EVO models include a water resistance of 80 metres, a screw-down crown, an integrated rubber strap, and MB&F’s patented FlexRing shock absorber that is fitted between the case and the movement to protect the watch during active use.
MB&F LM101 EVO Salmon on the wrist
To further enhance resistance and wearability, the models employ advanced materials such as zirconium and titanium.
In terms of design, the EVO models stand out thanks to their ergonomic case design and integrated strap; but also by forgoing a traditional bezel, offering an unobstructed view of the Super-LumiNova enhanced displays through their domed sapphire crystals.
On the movement side, EVO models feature darkened treatments, amplifying their sporty, contemporary aesthetic.
MB&F LM101 EVO Salmon
The 20th Anniversary LM101 EVO Editions
In celebration of MB&F’s 20th anniversary in 2025, two LM101 EVO editions are introduced in titanium, available with either a salmon or peacock green dial plate. These dial plate colours are produced using CVD, short for chemical vapor deposition – a technique chosen for its technical advantages as the dial plate forms an integral part of the movement.
MB&F LM101 EVO Green
The peacock green version is particularly captivating as shifting hues of green, blue, and purple light refract across its surface. The salmon version is just as noteworthy as it is a relatively rare colour for MB&F.
MB&F LM101 EVO Salmon
Those with a keen eye will also notice a host of new details in these EVO editions. The two black subdials, hovering just about the dial plate, are now framed by finely circled borders. At the top right, the highly legible hours and minutes are displayed by newly designed white gold hands.
MB&F LM101 EVO Green
The power reserve indicator, positioned in the lower subdial, reveals a significant improvement: the power reserve of the LM101 EVO calibre has been increased from the previous 45 hours to 60 hours, in keeping with the sportier theme.
MB&F LM101 EVO Green
The elegant twin arches suspending the flying balance wheel continue to catch the eye. Milled from a single block of metal, they require many hours of hand finishing to achieve their mirror-like lustre. In this EVO version, they feature a more fluid and refined base, further distinguishing this model from the classic LM101 version.
The escapement wheel has also undergone a refined redesign, inspired by the recurring battle-axe motif found in MB&F timepieces.
A Straumann double hairspring and a reliable slipping mainspring barrel are integral features of the manually-wound LM101 EVO movement.
New for this LM101 edition is the innovative proprietary FlexRing which comes with the EVO package.
Back of the MB&F LM101 EVO
Each timepiece is finished with a box sapphire crystal on the back, revealing the beauty of the darkened hand-finished movement beneath. Undulating Geneva waves, hand polished bevels, gold chatons, countersunk blued screws and sensually curved plates and bridges all pay homage to the style found in high quality historic pocket watches and testify to the respect accorded to historical legitimacy.
MB&F LM101 EVO Salmon
Completing the look, wearers can choose between a sleek white or grey rubber strap.
Although not formally a limited edition, the collection can only be crafted in a limited quantity of a few dozen pieces per year, based on capacity.
For more information, please visit www.mbandf.com/machines/mbf-machines/legacy-machines
Quick facts: MB&F LM101 EVO
LM101 EVO launches in two editions: titanium with a choice of salmon CVD dial plate, or green CVD dial plate.
Functions
Hours, minutes and power reserve indicator
Large balance wheel suspended above the dial
Engine
Three-dimensional horological movement developed in-house by MB&F
Movement aesthetics and finishing specifications: Kari Voutilainen
Manual winding with single slipping mainspring barrel
Power reserve: 60 hours
Balance wheel: Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the movement
Balance spring: Straumann® double hairspring
Balance frequency: 18,000bph/2.5Hz
Number of components: 233
Number of jewels: 23 jewels
Chatons: gold chatons with polished countersinks
Fine finishing: superlative 19th century-style hand finishing throughout; internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings, NAC black bridges.
Case
Material: Titanium with “FlexRing” shock protection system
Diameter: 40.0 mm
Height: 16.5 mm
Number of components: 42
Lug-width: 17 mm
Lug-to-lug: 49 mm
High domed sapphire crystal on top and box sapphire crystal on back, both with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water-resistance: 80m / 8ATM / 270 feet
Screw-down crown
Strap
Grey or white rubber strap with matching titanium folding buckle.
Price: CHF 62,000 (excluding taxes)
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