MB&F HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ wins Red Dot Award
The MB&F Horological Machine No.6 (HM6) Space Pirate has won over the 38-member jury of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2015. From 4,928 participants, MB&F’s HM6 Space Pirate has stood out and been awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best for top quality and innovative design.
In 2015, only 1.6 % of all entries in the competition have won this sought-after award. This means that the horological machine N°6 (HM6) ‘Space Pirate’ by MB&F is one of the forerunners in international design.
HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ has been designed to operate in the hostile environment of space: the space on your wrist.
In each of the four corners of HM6’s biomorphic case is a 360° sphere, capped top and bottom by transparent sapphire crystal domes. Up forward, two semi-spherical indications rotate vertically, displaying hours and minutes. Back aft, driven through multiplying gearing by the automatic winding rotor, twin spherical turbines spin horizontally, automatically regulating the winding system in case of excessive speed to reduce stress and wear.
The transparent central dome houses a 60-second flying tourbillon, the precision regulator of HM6’s Engine. This flying tourbillon can be protected from UV radiation, which speeds up oxidation of lubricating oils, by a retractable shield operated by a crown on the left side of the case.
While the transparent cupola on top of HM6 Space Pirate offers a tantalising glimpse into the sophisticated Engine below, the sapphire crystal display portal on the back reveals more of the 475 finely finished components making up the highly complex movement, which required over three years of development. Also visible through the display back is part of the winding mechanism and the platinum 950 winding battle-axe rotor.
While Horological Machine No.6’s gentle curves and bulging “eyes” may give it the appearance of a friendly extra-terrestrial life form, the strength of its exoskeleton is formidable thanks to the aeronautic grade Ti-6Al-4V titanium case. And a titanium brace runs around the central circumference of the hull, reinforcing the structure and supporting the lugs.
HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ is a limited edition of 50 pieces in Ti-6Al-4V titanium. There will only be 100 HM6 movements made in total.
