MB&F has gone and done the impossible yet again, somehow finding a way to crank up the already extremely high ‘wow’ factor of the HM6 Space Pirate. Proving beyond a doubt that the brand is absolutely deserving of its inaugural place at SIHH 2016, it has unveiled the new Space Pirate SV (short for Sapphire Vision) revealing the inner workings of the HM6 in all their breath-taking glory.
The HM6 Space Pirate SV
Now those of you who know you’re MB&F history will no doubt already be familiar with the SV concept, which the brand pioneered all the way back in 2010 with the launch of the HM2 SV (you can read our interview with MB&F co-founder Maximilian Büsser about that piece right here.) Since then though – with the exception of the final editions of the HM2 – we have not seen the SV concept brought to life again. Until now that is.
As you can see, with the HM6 Space Pirate SV MB&F have completely done away with the traditional – if you can call it that – metal case and instead replaced it with a sandwich construction of two transparent sapphire crystal plates on either side of a central precious metal case band (either red gold of platinum, you choose).
Now we need no longer content ourselves with brief glimpses through the transparent cupola on top of the case or angling the watch to see through the sapphire caseback. Instead, with the HM6 Space Pirate SV, we can gorge ourselves on unobstructed views of the gorgeously finished, 475 component, three-dimensional horological engine developed exclusively for the HM6 by MB&F with David Candaux Horlogerie Créative.
As you would expect the layout and functioning of the HM6 Space Pirate SV remains unchanged. At the front two semi-spherical indications rotate vertically, displaying hours and minutes. At the rear, 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. On top is the 60-second flying tourbillon, the precision regulator of HM6’s Engine, housed in a transparent central dome.
In total the design of the HM6 Space Pirate SV incorporates 11 different sapphire crystals, including the two large case plates (top and bottom) and nine domes – on top and bottom of the two time indications and two turbines, plus one over the flying tourbillon. Each one had to be machined from a solid block of sapphire crystal, the second-hardest, naturally-occurring mineral on earth after diamond. As you can imagine this presents some challenges, especially given the extremely low tolerances for deviation (the walls of the domes all have to be exactly the same thickness so as not to distort the displays).
The overall effect, I am sure you will agree, is nothing short of spectacular. Where the original HM6 had something of a fun, spaceship-like appeal to it (hence the name) the new Space Pirate SV elevates the piece to a whole new level, the sapphire casing revealing a previously hidden sense of elegance and artistic beauty, making the piece feel entirely more grown up.
As I alluded to before there will be two limited edition versions of the HM6-SV, one in platinum/sapphire crystal and the other red gold/sapphire crystal. Sadly both are limited to only 10 pieces each and I am sure it won’t be long until all of them find good homes.
Pricing is set to be US$368,00 for the red gold version and US$398,000 for the platinum version.
For more information about the HM6 Space Pirate SV please visit MB&F.
For more information about the HM6 Space Pirate SV please visit MB&F.