Ready for Takeoff: the HM9 Flow by MB&F

This story originally appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of Elite Traveler.

MB&F’s fans rabidly wait for the release of each of its fantastical horological machines, and the recent release of HM9 Flow does not disappoint. Pulling influences from the sensual, curving lines of 1940s and 1950s cars, and the smooth aerodynamics of a jet engine, MB&F combined and transformed them into an ultra-modern timepiece. It has a unique design: when viewing the timepiece from above, only the movement is visible through the sapphire glass apertures. At its widest point are two independent balance wheels, then it narrows to display the time on the side of the watch. This time display perfectly suits the watch’s automotive inspiration — when driving, the time remains visible while your hands are on the steering wheel (it’s also helpful for furtive time checks during meetings). The in-house movement spent three years in development and built on several movements from MB&F’s past Horological Machines and the Legacy Machine series, in addition to creating patent-pending innovations.