TIL: Novelty Can Be High Art

Hell yeah. The MB&F No.9 has always been something that appeals to me for some strange reason.

That watch looks like a space ship & I'm a geek about space travel. I love it. His designs are mind-blowing & a huge breath of fresh air in the stuffy room that is luxury watches. 

I'd love to own one, but I'd never be able to justify the cost. 

I agree 100% that it looks like a space ship, and that is definitely a huge part of the appeal for me. I also like it because it reminds me a tiny bit of the dash clock in my car (probably just because of the shroud covering it). The price tag is ridiculous though, and I could never dream of owning one. The MB&F M.A.D. 1 is the only thing from him that I could see ever being able to obtain (and I'd jump on the chance to pick one up if I could).

Those articles are my favorites from that website! I've seen some of those watches, but didn't really look too much into them because even looking at them feels expensive. 

That's the thing; I can look at watches in that price range & drool over them because I know I'll NEVER be able to afford one.

It's the $500-$10K ones that are the greater threat. 

I was aware of Max and MB&F watches as a brand making unusual watches far out of my price range like Richard Mille. To me, the only difference is I actually like the look of MB&F watches while I think Richard Mille watches are eyesores. 🤣 I have to agree with Fed on Richard Mille; if I had to wear one, you couldn't give it to me.

The cars out of the 50s had those clocks in them. They never lasted long. That watch is strangely phallic with the 2 bumps on the side. Same designs in the 50s

They are very literally fantastic and incredible. They are utterly impractical and I don't really believe they exist. I've seen images of the watches, but I can't say that I really know Max Büsser or his friends.

Yea, I knew of him, and a lot of his friends :)

I have seen a few in Paris, at various watch shops. I can say they look great, and are works of art. I would never really wear one, unless I was going to a watch meetup or something.

Max is amazing! He is so damn creative. Before MB&F he was the head of Harry Winston Opus collection, a series of wild and wacky high complications made in collaboration with extraordinary watchmakers (FP Journe, Vianney Halter, Felix Baumgartner etc). You see where his “and friends” concept was born. 

His creations aren’t to everyone’s taste (never mind budget), but they’re not supposed to be. They’re like concept cars in automotive or haute couture in fashion - supremely creative pieces made for collectors with deep pockets. Every luxury industry benefits from niche areas like these, otherwise it’d be so boring and mainstream.

Known for several years.  
First saw some of his cool desk clocks but glommed on fully when he started making bonkers watches.

Tried to get in the MAD lottery for his miyota as well of course.   initially it was pretty good odds but by the end it was about a 1/70 chance 😩.  No luck for me…

I knew of Max Büsser for quite some time now and although I have a lot of respect for his timepieces, I do not see myself ever wearing or owning one😂

Different strokes for different folks! 

Same here, you couldn't give me one, referring to the Richard Mille's, if you did I'd flip it on the same day for half price just to get rid of it and buy and Omega 🤣

If I was gifted one, I think I'd wear it for a week and then flip it. 

But agreed, it's too different for me to own one. 

I'm just old fashioned I guess and like simple 3 hander watches, they make up the majority of my collection. I was never into skeleton dialled watches until a great friend of mine on YouTube Peter had a giveaway and I was lucky enough to win a Spinnaker Croft limited edition watch. It's design reminds me of a BB, but it's possibly just the bezel and the case size ect but I actually like this one. As for Richard Mille watches I find them to outlandish and over the top in their design and unless your a rock star or movie star I don't know who else could pull off wearing one. Just not my cup of tea as they say. Obviously someone is wearing them and their very sort after pieces, to each their own 💯

This is as much out there, that I will ever wear.