Today’s office: At The Hour Glass and the launch of the new MB&F HM8 Mk2 Blue

We attended the MB&F HM8 Mk2 Blue launch event at the MB&F Lab by The Hour Glass, and bring you this event report and our hands-on with the new watch.

Today’s office: At The Hour Glass and the launch of the new MB&F HM8 Mk2 Blue

The MB&F HM8 Mk2 Blue retails for SGD 111,000 inclusive of GST. The international retail is set at CHF 68,000 + VAT (USD 78,000 / EUR 70,000 + taxes).

The event: Singapore launch of the MB&F HM5 Mk2 Blue with hands-on and live pictures

The event was held at MB&F Lab, Raffles Hotel Singapore. And in attendance were MB&F International Sales Director Thibault Verdonckt and International Wholesale Manager Baptise Uhi.

The MB&F HM8 Mk 2 Blue

The MB&F HM 8 Mk2 Blue is a next chapter in MB&F’s automative saga. This is a continuation of the story started by the HM8 which was first launched in 2023 with a matte green cladding (33 piece limited edition, now sold out) and with white cladding (regular collection, limited only by production).

The Blue, released today (in Singapore) is now in a polished and very shiny cladding and is a limited edition of 33 pieces. The cladding is CNC machined out of a monoblock of the same CarbonMacrolon® material.

The HM8 series started with the HM8 release edition in 2016 as also known as Can-Am. The Mk2 version is a the second generation, and while the launch model was based on the cars in the American Can Am Challenge Cup, the Mark 2 is modelled after the Porsche 918 Sypder, and the Zagato double bubble for the sapphire case. The movement in the HM8 remains to be based on the Girard-Perregaux caliber.

The blue cladding is rather beautiful. Depending on the angle in which light strikes its surface, it manages to present either a light, almost electric blue or a dark, but still very shiny blue to the viewer.

On the wrist, this presents an almost unlimited fascination as one turns one’s wrist and admire the shades of blue.

The watch is the same as the earlier editions of the HM8 Mk2. The same movement with the jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F over a base movement which is sourced from Girard-Perregaux.

From the case top, the rotor, with the MB&F battle ax motif is visible. And as is typical of MB&F calibers, has the dazzling ability to spin freely and quickly for a spectacular show.

Interestingly, one of the inspirations of the HM8 is probably the HM5, which itself is influenced by the Amida. The Amida is recently re-released as the Digitrend Take-Off. But of course the aesthetics on the Amida is more true to the original, and look every bit like a vintage watch. The MB&F HM8 Mk2 boasts of much more elegant aesthetics and refinement. Also the Amida uses a modified Soprod base movement, versus a much more elegant and higher finished MB&F module over the GP base.

This is difference in design, materials used, finishing and pedigree is reflected in the pricing. The Amida retails for CHF 3k, while the HM8 Mk2 is set at CHF 68k. So its horses for courses. Perhaps like comparing a Volksvagen Golf (nice car to be sure!) to a Bentley Continental GT (much nicer car). So it may perhaps it is more interesting and instructive to compare the HM8 Mk2 Blue to the HM8 Mk2 Green. Both are 33 piece limited editions. Only the colour of the body work, and the polished surface vs matte separates these brothers. The Green was launched at CHF 68k in 2023, and the price for the Blue has remained unchanged.

MB&F HM8 Mk 2 Blue Specifications

HM8 Mark 2 is available:

• in titanium andgreen CarbonMacrolon®body panels limited to 33 pieces; Sold out.
• in titanium andwhite CarbonMacrolon®body panels;
• in titanium and blue CarbonMacrolon® body panels limited to 33 pieces. This novelty.

Engine

Three-dimensional horological engine, composed of a jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed in-house by MB&F, powered by a Girard-Perregaux base movement.

Mechanical movement, automatic winding, 22K gold automatic winding rotor

Power reserve: 42 hours

Balance frequency: 28,800bph/4Hz.

Number of components: 247 components

Number of jewels: 30 jewels

Functions/indications: Bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes, displayed by dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.

Case

Grade5 titanium with green, white or blue CarbonMacrolon®

Dimensions: 47x 41.5x 19 mm

Number of components: 42

Water resistance: 30m / 90’ / 3atm

Sapphire crystals

Sapphire crystals on top, front and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces. Dual reflective sapphire crystal prisms with integrated magnifying lens.

Strap & Buckle

Calfskin strap-white for the British green and sapphire blue modelsand green for the white model with a titanium tang buckle