Before the end of 2021, Max Büsser did the unthinkable releasing a watch priced at CHF 1,900 Swiss Francs —approximately $2,000 USD. Reserved for his friends and what MB&F likes to call The Tribe —the select group of clients that have purchased MB&F watches in the past. The M.A.D. 1 Friends Edition looks a lot like an MB&F but is not one. Between the finishes, the engine, and the craftsmanship, the M.A.D. 1 is just a fun watch that Max Büsser launched because he can. And you know what? We love that.
Posts tagged #Rare Bird
Rare Bird: Tudor Chronograph Tiger Oxblood ref. 79280. The Rarest of them All.
Tudor has been around for over half a century making chronographs and has always been considered as the affordable sibling to Rolex. Up until the early 2000s, Tudor watches were available everywhere in the world —including the U.S.—; however, at that time Rolex decided to pull them out of the U.S. as they were cannibalizing Rolex sales. In theory, a Tudor is a Rolex watch but less expensive. Back in the day, Tudor Chronographs were fitted with Rolex crowns and Rolex case backs up until the late 90's when transitional Tudor watches appeared with either a Rolex case back or a Rolex crown only.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721TI. The Titanium Lightweight Beast.
Since we are the largest source of information on the web for all Audemars Piguet related things, we want to talk about a watch that tends to fly under the radar and that we like to refer to as a rare bird. Slightly less important than the first Royal Oak Offshore ‘The Beast’, the ‘titanium beast’ is still quite rare with very low production numbers. Often mistaken by many as the first Royal Oak Offshore, the titanium reference 25721TI was released five years after the launch of the original Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST in stainless steel. The reference 25721TI in titanium was only produced for six years and six dials were available at the time.
Rare Bird: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M James Bond. The Discontinued 45.5 mm Model.
Referred to by Omega as Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M James Bond, the Seamaster ref. 232.30.42.21.01.001 that was released in 2011 to replace the first generation of Planet Oceans 2500 —initially released in 2005— is in our opinion the best Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M ever released. Equipped with a massive 45.5 mm case in stainless steel and powered by the in-house Omega Calibre 8500 with Silicium Escapement, this is for sure one of the best daily beaters if you’re looking for a tool watch that is not necessarily your typical Rolex Submariner.
Rare Bird: Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini Titanium. The Perfect Chronograph for Soccer Lovers.
If you are a soccer fan, the Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini needs no introduction. Released a number of years ago and now totally sold out, this is one of our favorite Mille watches out there. Specifically designed for the king of all sports, the Richard Mille Roberto Mancini honors Italian soccer player and coach of the Italian National team with a colorful chronograph who’s primary function is to assist the timekeeping of a soccer match. Cased in titanium or in red gold and titanium —we personally prefer the full titanium model we have here—, the Richard Mille RM11-01 Mancini was released as a regular production watch and not in a limited edition. Despite that, it is nearly impossible to find one nowadays.
Rare Bird: Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16758 'SARU' for Sultanate of Oman. A Strikingly Beautiful Timepiece with Royal Provenance.
The Rolex GMT-Master is without a doubt one of the most renowned and sought after models when it comes to watch collecting. The GMT-Master ref. 16758 ‘SARU’ —referring to the sapphires and rubies on its bezel— is a lavishly set with diamonds, sapphires and rubies GMT Master that along with reference 6270 and 6269, was the earliest Rolex sports watch to feature any precious stones. This concept was incredibly daring in the 1980s, as tool watches and luxury gem-set timepieces resided in two separate spheres.
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Schumacher Rose Gold Limited Edition ref. 26568OM. The Second and Last AP Watch with a Cermet Bezel.
t's been almost five years since the freak skiing accident that put Michael Schumacher in a coma on December 29th, 2013. While today we don't know much about Schumacher's condition, other than he was out of the come a year after his accident, the one thing we know is that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 'Schumi' is the best and nicest limited edition watch to ever honor one of the greatest Formula One drivers that has ever lived. Available in Titanium, 18K Rose Gold and Platinum, this limited edition along with the Rubens Barrichello —titanium model here, rose gold model here and the platinum model here— are two of the most coveted AP Offshores of all time.
Rare Bird: Daniel Roth Sports Automatic 50th Birthday Limited Edition. Created by One of the Greatest Independent Watchmakers of our Time.
Released in 1995 on the occasion of his 50th birthday, this Daniel Roth limited edition watch is a perfect example of the mastery and finesse achieved by one of the first watchmakers to become an independent, after a successful career in the Swiss watchmaking industry that included companies like Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre and even Audemars Piguet. Now 72 years old, Daniel Roth is very well known for becoming an independent watchmaker after a very long tenure at Breguet and launching his own brand and atelier in the Vallée de Joux in 1989. After going selling his brand to Bulgari in 2000…
Rare Bird: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 25977ST.OO.1205ST.01. The Blue King of Aces.
Released back in 2002, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 25977ST.OO.1205ST.01 is one of the most coveted grails from this manufacture. Combining two noble complications like the tourbillon and the chronograph, this Royal Oak in stainless steel is not for the faint of heart with its close to a quarter of a million dollars price tag. Fitted with a 44 mm case that in reality wears more like a 42 mm thanks to its slender profile, the Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph ref. 25977ST is typically seen on a matching stainless steel bracelet.
Rare Bird: A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Yellow Gold. The Rectangular Unicorn Watch from the Masters of Saxonian Watchmaking.
One of the least desirable timepieces from A. Lange & Söhne and what could be considered a unicorn amongst the Lange lineup, the Cabaret is one of those rare birds worth talking about. Released during the rebirth era of A. Lange & Söhne, this timepiece was introduced in 18K rose gold, platinum, 18K white gold and very scarcely in 18K yellow gold. Launched as a men's watch and fitted with a rectangular case measuring 36.3 mm x 25.5 mm, this wristwatch was definitely better suited for women rather than men.
