The World’s Fastest Triple-Axis Regulating Mechanism
Three world firsts: first-ever collaboration between legends Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen. Proprietary new ‘TriAx’ mechanism features 3 axes revolving at different speeds and on different planes, in record-breaking 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. Unique combination of Potter escapement, hemispherical balance and helical hairspring.
What if you could harness the raw power and spectacle of a thunderbolt within a watch?
Meteorological science tells us that when cold and warm currents meet, all manner of dramatic weather ensues. Storms, freak atmospheric conditions and even tornadoes have been known to follow. So when two very different master watchmakers come together one a legendary innovator from the Vallée de Joux known for his unorthodox, jaw-dropping complications, the other a famed perfectionist and acclaimed pillar of traditional craft based in Môtiers look out for lightning on the horizon.
Presenting the Legacy Machine Thunderdome, jointly signed by Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen.
Rising above a sea of blue guillochage is a rotating spherical mass of gears, pinions and cages. Somehow, from this chaos of motion, order is extracted. Time is indicated on an inclined dial of stretched lacquer, proving that even the wildest horological whirlwinds can be tamed into the logic of hours and minutes.
MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser says, “One of the many things that makes me incredibly happy about this piece is that we got to bring together two people I adore in this industry; who are incredibly talented, have completely different styles and personalities, and have never had the chance to work with each other”.
Once taken, such chances can reshape entire landscapes. MB&F’s only directive to Eric Coudray initially was to “make the craziest, most cinematic three-axis tourbillon ever.” Having been given free rein to create, Coudray built something that was entirely new in his experience: a mechanism that goes beyond the tourbillon, the proprietary new MB&F ‘TriAx’.
The new TriAx mechanism, as showcased in Legacy Machine Thunderdome, fulfils MB&F’s directive to Eric Coudray in spectacular fashion. The triple-axis rotating escapement has a stripped-down construction that transgresses both tradition and modern convention. Instead of the rational (and cumbersome) system that associates one cage with each rotational axis, the TriAx defies logic with a three-axis, two-cage configuration that allows for unprecedented visibility of the Thunderdome’s beating, whirling heart.
In a second stroke of whirlwind audacity from Coudray whose name is practically synonymous with audacious watchmaking in the 21st century the TriAx mechanism of LM Thunderdome uproots our most familiar notions of watchmaking escapements. Controlling the rate at which energy escapes from the barrel is the unusual Potter escapement, which utilises a fixed escape wheel in place of the mobile escape wheels seen in virtually every type of modern rotating escapement. The fixed escape wheel of the Potter escapement named for 19th-century watchmaker and inventor Albert H. Potter allows for higher rotational speeds in such a mechanism.
Integrating a fixed escape wheel within a tri-axial rotating mechanism is something that has never been done before, but LM Thunderdome achieves this, and for good reason. The high-speed rotation consumes energy voraciously, with the innermost structure completing one turn in 8 seconds, the intermediate cage rotating once every 12 seconds, and the outermost cage making one full rotation every 20 seconds.
An additional advantage of the Potter escapement is that it frees up more space for the balance and hairspring, allowing to better admire another completely novel development: the balance of LM Thunderdome takes a hemispherical form, wrapping around the helical hairspring for an unprecedented configuration of regulating organ in both modern and classical watchmaking.
Even for a seasoned watch connoisseur, deeply familiar with multi-axis tourbillons over the 15 years since this type of mechanism debuted on the horological scene, Legacy Machine Thunderdome is an eye-opener. Not only is it faster, its components whirring past at dizzying speeds it is larger, thanks to the offset axis of the outermost cage that increases the overall displacement of the balance, and it is showcased like no other. The pronounced arch of the sapphire crystal dome allows Eric Coudray’s opus to sit fully above the dial plate, visible from all sides.
As difficult as it may be to tear your eyes from the dial-side spectacle, the reverse of the LM Thunderdome engine is equally rewarding. The manual-winding, triple-barrel movement may have been technically conceived by Eric Coudray, but its aesthetics are fully Kari Voutilainen.
Countless sessions passed between the two watchmakers until the untrammelled dynamism of Coudray’s engine design took on classically elegant forms. Smoothly rounded bridges, incorporating sharp hand-bevelled internal angles and mirrored curves suggest a deep, unyielding calm that anchors the turbulent maelstrom on the other side. For the first time in an MB&F creation, Kari Voutilainen has applied his proprietary style of finish onto the ratchet wheels. This technique imparts a serpentine shimmer to the circular surface, catching the light in sigmoid waves. This technique is a closely guarded secret in the Voutilainen workshops, requiring years of experience and special tools to execute.
The LM Thunderdome is launched in two limited editions:
– 33 pieces in platinum 950, with a light-blue guilloché dial plate;
– 10 pieces in tantalum commemorating the 40th anniversary of Asia-Pacific retail group The Hour Glass, with five pieces bearing a dark-blue guilloché dial and five pieces with an inlaid aventurine dial.
Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen
Eric Coudray is descended from a long line of watchmakers. Although he distinguished himself in his early professional years by restoring antique timepieces, his name first came to global prominence while he was employed by legendary watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre, where he led prestigious projects such as the first modern minute repeater from the manufacture, housed in their iconic Reverso.
He developed the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotoubillon, one of the world’s first multi-axis tourbillons, which was hailed a milestone of modern horology when it debuted in 2004. His follow-up work on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon II incorporated a helical hairspring for improved chronometry. The watch was subsequently awarded second prize at the 2009 Concours International de Chronométrie (with the first prize also taken by Jaeger-LeCoultre). His experience with this visually stunning mechanism brought him to independent watch brand Cabestan, where he further expanded his repertoire of multi-axis rotating escapements. Coudray is currently part of a specialist team at TEC Ebauches, a high-complication thinktank and movement supplier based in the Vallée de Joux.
Part of the fascination that Coudray and his creations induce in watch enthusiasts stems from his unorthodox approach to his métier and unique personal style. Such is Coudray’s stature amongst the international cognoscenti of horology that members of this community frequently approach Coudray at industry expositions and trade fairs to express admiration for his work.
Equal in repute, though opposite in approach, is Finnish watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, whose company is based in the small Swiss village of Môtiers. Like Coudray, Voutilainen’s early career was characterised by restoration work. It was while he was employed in the restoration department of Fleurier watch company Parmigiani that Voutilainen became known for his outstanding talent and was involved in the restoration of some of the world’s rarest examples of haute horlogerie.
Later, when he established his watch company, Voutilainen was able to draw on this experience to create his own timepieces. His watches, notably the highly successful Vingt-8, are just as acclaimed for their extreme aesthetic refinement as they are for their interpretation of Breguet’s natural escapement. Voutilainen has lent his much sought-after expertise to selected companies, and his name is inextricably associated with the MB&F Legacy Machine collection, which has carried his signature since its debut in 2011.
Unmatched levels of hand-finishing are the hallmark of a Voutilainen watch, with a distinctive softness and luminosity to the final effect which sets them apart from the sharper, brighter finishes that define the industry standard. Voutilainen’s passion for decorative techniques has led him to create some of the most beautiful unique timepieces seen in recent years, in conjunction with independent artisanal craftsmen. Recognition has come in the form of several industry accolades, including multiple awards from the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Technical Specifications:
The case, in platinum or in tantalum, measures 44mm x 22.2mm. It has double AR-coated sapphrie crystals and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement is a Swiss manual-wind developed for MB&F by Eric Coudray and Kari Voutilainen. It has 63 jewels, 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 45 hours. Regulating mechanism featuring 3 fast rotation axes revolving at different speeds and on different planes. The rotation speeds of the axes starting from the center are respectively 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. The combined weight of the multi-axis mechanism is nearly 1g. Manual winding with three mainspring barrels. Bespoke hemispherical 10mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws and helical hairspring, visible on top of the movement. Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th-century style; bevelled internal angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings. Functions are: hours and minutes displayed on a 58° vertically tilted dial. Power reserve indicator on the back of the movement.
It comes on a blue hand-stitched alligator leather strap with a platinum or tantalum folding buckle.
MSRP is 280,000 USD for platinum.
“Friends” Responsible for LM Thunderdome:
Concept: Maximilian Büsser / MB&F
Product design: Eric Giroud / Through the Looking Glass
Technical and production management: Serge Kriknoff / MB&F
Movement development: Eric Coudray and Arnaud Faivre / TEC Ebauches and MB&F
Movement design and finish specifications: Kari Voutilainen
R&D: Ruben Martinez, Simon Brette and Thomas Lorenzato / MB&F
Decoration of the guilloché dial plate / ratchet / crown’s wheels: Kari Voutilainen
PVD-treatment: Pierre-Albert Steinmann / Positive Coating
Aventurine dial (Limited edition for The Hour Glass): LM Cadrans
Case: Riccardo Pescante / Les Artisans boitiers and for the limited edition for The Hour Glass: Aurélien Bouchet / AB PRODUCT
Movement assemblage: Didier Dumas, Georges Veisy, Anne Guiter, Emmanuel Maître, and Henri Porteboeuf / MB&F
After-sales service: Thomas Imberti / MB&F
Quality control: Cyril Fallet / MB&F
Dial – ébauche: Hassan Chaïba and Virginie Duval / Les Ateliers d’Hermès Horloger
Buckle: Nathalie Guilbaud / Cendres et Métaux Lux and G&F Châtelain
Hands: Pierre Chillier and Isabelle Chillier / Fiedler
Strap: Multicuirs
Presentation box: Olivier Berthon / Soixante et onze
Production logistics: David Lamy, Isabel Ortega / MB&F
