The new MB&F SP One is the first chapter in the brand’s new 'Special Projects' collection. For two decades, MB&F has reimagined what a timepiece can be. Now, they've embraced an unexpected question: What if they created an elegant, time-only watch in a refined 38 mm case?
Throughout their journey, MB&F has accumulated numerous design concepts that seemed out of character at the time—sparks of creativity filed away but never forgotten. As their 20th anniversary approached, the team revisited their founding philosophy: defying convention and creating the unexpected, regardless of market research or traditional business wisdom. This reflection inspired them to revisit these dormant ideas, giving birth to an entirely new collection of boundary-pushing timepieces.
The new MB&F Special Projects One SP One is the perfect balance between radical and refined. The debut piece in this collection, Special Project One, bridges the gap between MB&F's avant-garde Horological Machines and their more classical Legacy Machines.
Things to Know About the Watch
Originally code-named "Three Circles," the SP One showcases a mesmerizing trinity of floating elements—barrel, balance wheel, and dial—that appear to levitate within an amphitheater-like setting, visible through sapphire crystal domes. This mechanical marvel transforms your wrist into a stage for an enchanting, gravity-defying performance.
Housed in a smooth, pebble-like 38 mm case in either platinum with sky blue flange or in 18K red gold with anthracite flange, the MB&F SP One embraces sophistication through subtlety with its bezel-free design and elegantly detached lugs. The initial sketches from 2018 envisioned a timepiece that would whisper rather than shout. Despite being MB&F's smallest and slimmest watch to date, it remains faithful to the brand's signature three-dimensional architecture and innovative spirit.
The Movement
The in-house movement revolves around three key elements:
The distinctive balance wheel at 2 o'clock oscillates like a hovering flying saucer
The thoughtfully tilted dial highlights MB&F's mastery of rarely-used conical gearing
The suspended manual-winding barrel delivers an impressive 72-hour power reserve
Through sapphire crystals on both sides, these three perfectly proportioned elements appear to defy gravity. The artfully designed movement architecture creates this captivating illusion—nearly invisible bridges and cleverly concealed components allow the three central elements to command attention.
Surrounding the 191-component movement is a beveled ‘amphitheater’ flange that draws the eye to the movement's intricate details. The case back reveals MB&F's commitment to traditional craftsmanship—meticulous hand finishing, polished bevels, internal angles, generous chatons, and hand-made engravings against a backdrop of varied surface treatments.
On the Wrist & Price
In essence, this new watch is a classical MB&F that has nothing classical about it. On the wrist, the new MB&F SP One wears immaculately. The size is perfect and although the case is only 38 mm the watch wears more like a 39 mm watch making it a perfect choice for most wrist sizes. Compared to most MB&F watches, the new SP One can easily be tucked under the cuff and the watch leaves nothing to the imagination with incredible visibility of every component and every element in its design.
Sticker Price USD 82,000 for platinum and USD 76,000 for red gold. For more info on MB&F click here.
