MB&F LM Split Escapement Eddy Jaquet

Quick specs MB&F LM Split Escapement Eddy Jaquet
Price: approx. $ 183,000 | approx. € 169.000 | approx. £ 141,000 | CHF 158’000 (all excluding taxes)
Size: 44.5 mm
Reference: not provided – limited to 8 pieces

The MB&F LM Split Escapement Eddy Jaquet is a collection of eight unique watches, each engraved by master engraver Eddy Jaquet. The watches draw inspiration from classic novels, showcasing intricate hand-engraved scenes on the dial plate.

Jaquet is known for his artistic storytelling through engraving, and this collaboration follows a previous successful series that highlighted Jules Verne’s novels. Each watch in this new series is tied to a literary work, blending art and horology.

Eight novels engraved on the dial

This special edition continues MB&F’s tradition of blending high-end watchmaking with creative design. The Legacy Machine Split Escapement is a model known for its suspended balance wheel, which is displayed prominently on the dial. The extra unique aspect of these timepieces is Jaquet’s engravings. The dial, in effect, becomes a canvas for these detailed artworks, making each piece one-of-a-kind. The scenes on the dial are from the following novels:

• Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
• The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
• The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
• The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Robin Hood (anonymous)

Housing of the LM Split Escapement

Each watch in the series is housed in a stainless steel case, measuring 44.5 mm in diameter and 18.2 mm in height. The engravings are set on the base plate, which serves as the dial. The case design includes anti-reflective sapphire crystals on both the front and back, offering a clear view of the hand-finished movement inside.

The sub dials for the date and power reserve are open-worked, ensuring that Jaquet’s engravings remain unobstructed. Although the outer ring of these could have been way smaller. The sub dial at the noon position also covers a part of the dial in order to show the time. All in all, the art on the dial could have been more prominent by leaving the date and power indicator out and by using a sapphire dial for the time. The blued hands are clear enough on the engraved background.

The MB&F LM Split Escapement Eddy Jaquet has a power reserve of 72 hours

The movement powering the LM Split Escapement is developed by Stephen McDonnell. It features a 72-hour power reserve, driven by a manual winding system with double mainspring barrels. The standout feature of this movement is the split escapement design, where the balance wheel is placed on the dial side, while the anchor and escapement wheel are located on the reverse.

This design choice adds visual intrigue while maintaining precision, although it blocks the view of the dial a bit on the dial side. The movement is finely finished, with hand-beveled internal angles, Geneva waves, and polished bevels.

The watch comes with a dark navy alligator strap, hand-stitched and paired with a stainless steel folding buckle. The watch is priced around 140 to 180k, and therefore comparable to other unique horological pieces.