A rectangular watch that is unlike any other, encased in a plate of rose gold (top)
and titanium (bottom) with flying buttresses as lugs. The two plates appear to be held
together by four Allen screws at each corner.
The hallmark of this watch is its clever design and for me, there are two design innovations.
Firstly, from the side, the case looks deceptively thin. On closer inspection from the back, it
appears that the case cleverly hides the protrusions of the flying buttress lugs and the movement rotor
stands out from the case. As a result, when the watch is worn on the wrist, there is an illusion that
the case floats above the skin. However, the two dial ‘portholes’ protruding from the case do add some
height to the watch. But because of its clever design, this thickness is hardly noticed.
Secondly, the unique crown located at the top is hidden from view by a sliding crown guard. Working
the crown simply involves pushing the sliding guard up and turning the crown hidden under it.
The engraving on the back reminds the owner how special this timepiece is – just one of 125.
While the watch does not come with high complications, it houses the date, and northern and
southern moon-phases on the left dial. The right dial houses a retrograde minute.
The hour is shown through a blue circle and the minute pointer is with a discrete triangle.
The No. 2 is intended to be worn on the left wrist with the minute and hour
indicators peeking out under the sleeves.
This watch is expected to be listed just under S$100k – less than half the list price of its stable mate,
the MB&F No.1 (which houses a tourbillon complication). However, the final street price will be expected
to be a draw for this mechanical art piece. Like its earlier sibling, the radical MB&F No.2 is a statement watch.
Clearly it is neither a sport nor a dress watch but a timepiece worn by those who wish to be noticed on
very special occasions. 