Introducing: The MB&F × Eddy Jaquet LM Split Escapement 2024 Series — Artisanal And Adventurous Watches Inspired By Youth Literature

Take a look at your bookcase, and tell me if you have a copy of one of the following books — The Three Musketeers, The Jungle Book, Robinson Crusoe, The Call of the Wild, The Last of the Mohicans, Moby-Dick, Robin Hood, Treasure Island, or anything by Jules Verne, like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Check out the new MB&F × Eddy Jaquet LM Split Escapement watches if you do. You might want to enrich your book collection with a matching watch.

The collaboration between MB&F and master engraver Eddy Jaquet started in 2020 with a series of eight unique watches with engraved dials inspired by Jules Verne’s novels. By the way, the series claimed a GPHG Artistic Crafts Award in 2021. Three years after the award party, it’s time to start a series of eight more unique watches inspired by the great classics of youth literature.

MB&F × Eddy Jaquet LM Split Escapement: ins and outs

The Legacy Machine Split Escapement in a 44mm steel case is the basis of today’s new watches featuring engravings of The Three Musketeers, The Jungle Book, and Robinson Crusoe. These three are the first ones ready, and later on, the series will be completed by watches depicting engravings inspired by The Call of the Wild, The Last of the Mohicans, Moby-Dick, Robin Hood, and Treasure Island.

The technical foundation is a movement developed by Stephen McDonnell for MB&F. This manual-winding caliber beats at 2.5Hz and has a power reserve of 72 hours. It features a split escapement, with the balance wheel suspended above the dial and the anchor and escape wheel under it.

The Three Musketeers

The watch has a large sub-dial at 12 o’clock to show the time. In addition, the smaller open-worked sub-dial at 4 o’clock indicates the remaining power reserve, and the skeletonized sub-dial at 8 o’clock displays the date. A push-button on the left side of the case next to the pointer date allows you to adjust it.

Eddy Jaquet goes to work

The engraved dial is the main attraction of the first three new MB&F × Eddy Jaquet LM Split Escapement 2024 Series watches. Before Jaquet went to work, he selected eight classic novels from a list of 15. Then, he created completely original illustrations. He didn’t use existing art, just like he did on the Jules Verne watches. Instead, he conceived something wholly new and original after reading the selected books.

Jungle Book

The result is a watch that doubles as an expressive tableau. It showcases the protagonists, scenes, and key moments from the classic youth novels. Jaquet engraved his images on the LM SE movement’s dial plate, which is 18K white gold for this series. Additionally, to ensure the engraving gets enough light and all the attention it deserves, the bezel is slimmer than a “normal” LM Split Escapement. Also, the rings around the sub-dials are black for optimum contrast. The retail price of each unique piece is US$188,000 before tax.

Robinson Crusoe (left) and The Three Musketeers

So, Fratelli, do any of these books hold a special place in your heart? If so, what do you think of the new MB&F × Eddy Jaquet creations? As always, share your thoughts in the comments.