The EVO is growing in importance, and MB&F is keen that people who love and follow the brand, know this. Just some months ago, the brand had unveiled its first-ever chronograph, the LM Sequential EVO. And now at Geneva Watch Days 2022, the brand has unveiled the third EVO to join this sub-line – the Legacy Machine (LM) Split Escapement EVO.
What is the EVO line?
Like all things that MB&F does, the Legacy Machine Split Escapement EVO too is in a league of its own, thanks to the design, mechanics, and presence. Of these, it is mechanics in particular that set the watch apart. On the dial of the LM Split Escapement EVO, one sees the balance wheel, at once seeming like it is flying, but also anchored by a V-shaped bridge. What is missing though is the escapement. This escapement, however is below the base plate, attached to the balance wheel via a 11.78mm balance staff that traverses the entire movement. The escapement, essentially, lies 12mm below the wheel, thus giving rise to the name ‘Split Escapement’.
Concieved by watchmaker Northern Irish master watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, the first watch to feature the Split Escapement was the 2015 LM Perpetual. However, in 2017, the mechanism found the pride of place in a model dedicated to it, the LM Split Escapement. And though the initial designs were housed in the LM case, the EVO now represents a line with a design dedicated to the mechanism, first seen in the 2020 LM Perpetual EVO.
The 2022 LM Split Escapement EVO
Which brings us to the two new MB&F LM Split Escapement EVOs that have been unveiled at Geneva Watch Days 2022. The highlight of the watch, naturally, is the Split Escapement, seen via the 14mm balance wheel on the base plate. Surrounding it are two rings – the date and power reserve – and a dial. The first of the new releases - both 44mm x 17.5mm - is cased in grade 5 titanium with an icy blue base plate and slate grey dial and opened counters/ rings, while the second is a 25-piece limited edition, designed exclusively for the MB&F LAB – a new retail format on the lines of MB&F’s M.A.D.Galleries - on Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive. Also in grade 5 titanium, this version has a black base plate and metallic blue dial and open counters.
The watches are manual-winding, driven by double barrels providing 72 hours of power reserve. The movement side features bevelled internal angles, polished bevels, Geneva waves, hand-made engravings, and a special darkened treatment that creates a contrast between the wheels, the rhodium-plated barrels and the rose gold details. Also, the movement of the MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO is suspended inside the case; the watch maintains precision thanks to a monobloc shock-absorbing ‘FlexRing’ system. The mechanism to change the date is also user-friendly – there is a push button next to the date ring to set it – and ensures the user doesn’t damage the movement when setting the date.
A major design update is that the entire mechanism was rotated clockwise by 30 degrees, with the crown now at 4:30 instead of 2 o’clock. This was first introduced in last year’s UAE Golden Jubilee edition, a largely quiet release by the brand.
The watches feature 80 metres of water resistance, a screw-down crown, Super-LumiNova on numerals and hands, and an integrated rubber strap.
Images: Courtesy MB&F
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