NEW MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO
MB&F continues to expand its EVO product line with the launch of the new LM Split Escapement EVO. We've had a hands-on and photo session on this novelty, and we'll bring you a review when the embargo on this watch lifts.swiss watch replica
Arguably, this novelty is an extension in both directions. It expands on the earlier LM Split Escapement and combines it with the Active Lifestyle EVO series. This means that the innovative LM Split Escapement movement is now housed in a sporty EVO with some tweaks. This brings new EVOs to three - LM Perpetual EVO (itself an extension of LM Perpetual) and LM Sequential EVO (available only as EVO. At least for now, though when asked if the regular LM Sequential is working, MB&F is understandable mom) are the other two.
what is new? The LM Split Escapement was released in 2017 (see our 2017 hands-on review for a detailed discussion and review link for this watch innovation). It launched a new dial style with a beautiful green dial in 2019, and again in 2020 with a special 8-piece style in collaboration with Eddy Jaquet.
With this latest news, MB&F has released the LM split Ecapapement EVO... this novelty is not an entirely new watch. First released in 2021 as a limited edition for the UAE's 50th anniversary, the LM Split Escapement EVO is only available at MAD Gallery in Dubai.
The MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO commemorates the 50th anniversary of the UAE, with a salmon-bottom dial on dark grey subdials, and a titanium case.replica watches for sale
With today's announcement, MB&F is working on this new watch with a new dial. This time with an icy light blue dial and grey sub-dials. A second version, called the Beverly Hills model, is planned, but we haven't seen the watch and won't discuss it. This review is for the Titanium Ice Blue dial version.
We didn't cover the early Emirates Special Edition, but the EVO design differs from the regular LM split escapement in that the dial is rotated 30 degrees clockwise. This breaks the near-perfect symmetry of the 2017 version. This allowed EVO to release a whole new character. This new version is identical to the UAE version, but with a different dial execution, and is now available worldwide.
What's left? As the EVO concept is designed for the intended use of an active lifestyle, the watch features 8-meter water resistance, screw-down crown, integrated rubber strap and Super-LumiNova on the hour markers. The watch also uses a full-dome sapphire glass to cover the entire watch replica swiss surface for a bezel-less design. The EVO concept also features a world-first special housing design - the shock-absorbing FlexRing system, which provides damping of vertical and horizontal impacts.
The EVO concept was first released in the LM Perpetual EVO in 2020, followed by the LM Sequential EVO in 2022. It just so happens that all three movements were co-developed with Stephen McDonnell and have thought outside the box to create unique movements.
The Split Escapement, the simplest of them all, uses this method to move the balance of the escapement to separate from the anchor system, first used on the LM Perpetual. Not only in the visual punch it provides, but also in the ingenuity it involves. The system was invented to solve a specific problem that arose in the design of the LM Perpetual. This watch employs a very complicated mechanism for two-way time setting. The complication is displayed on the dial side, taking up space normally used by LM watches, which means the escapement that hangs above the dial. Stephen solves this problem with a simple, elegant but ingenious idea.
He made the balance rod very long so that it could traverse the entire movement, leaving the large balance wheel at the front of the fake men watch and moving the rest of the escapement - the anchor and escape wheel - to the opposite movement , almost below 12 mm; hence the name "split escapement".
Call this technique trickle-down, but even in its simplest form, it's impressive. MB&F decided to present it in the LM Split Escapement. The simplicity of the split escapement, without the complexity of the visible perpetual calendar mechanism, reinforces the concept of a floating escape wheel. The balance seems to oscillate on its own because the drive escapement with the pallet fork and escape wheel is always at the rear of the movement.
The movement used in the LM Split Escapement EVO remains unchanged from the introduced model. The dial looks completely different, but this does not affect the movement and does not require modification. Note that the crown moves the same amount as the dial offset.
The movement is a hand-wound movement consisting of 298 parts, driven by double barrels, providing a 72-hour power reserve and featuring a user-friendly, foolproof quick date change system using a pusher at 10 o'clock (original 8 o'clock in non-EVO LM Split). The movement finishing is very well done and is at the top of the Haute Horlogerie scale.Best replica watches
The watch has a super cool feel to it, and the 44mm case does feel a bit on the big side. The rubber strap is flexible and very comfortable to wear on the wrist. The movement winds smoothly, with pleasant resistance and feedback.
But most striking is the ice blue dial baseplate. The domed sapphire glass on the bezel-less dial side covers the entire face. This provides a very interesting touch as people slide their fingers across the upper side of the watch. Equally visually striking is the off-centre dial layout, with the V-shaped arms of its balance bridge protruding, and the hour and minute sub-dial also offset at about 2 o'clock, making for an interesting dynamic on the dial. We think it's cool.
MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO Specifications Legacy Machine Split Escapement EVO is available in two versions:
– Ti version: Grade 5 titanium case with light blue baseplate and dark grey dial. (this review)
– Beverly Hills Edition: Limited to 25 pieces, with a grade 5 titanium case, black baseplate and blue dial. (unreviewed)
engine
Movement developed by Stephen MacDonald for MB&F.
Split escapement, the balance wheel is suspended above the dial and the anchor point is below the movement.
Double barrel wound manually.
Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with traditional adjustment screws visible on top of the movement.
Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting the style of the 19th century; interior bevels highlighting handcraft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-engraved.
FlexRing: A ring-shaped damper installed between the case and the movement, providing shock protection along the vertical and lateral axes.
Super-LumiNova luminous coating on numerals and hands.
Tighten the crown.
Power reserve: 72 hours
Balance frequency: 2.5Hz / 18,000bph
Number of components: 298
Number of gems: 35
Features and Indications
Hours, minutes, date and power reserve indication.
A button next to the date dial allows for quick date adjustment.
case
Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Dimensions: 44 x 17.5mm
Number of components: 52
Water resistance: 80m / 8ATM / 270 feet
Sapphire crystal
The sapphire crystal and the back of the display are treated with an anti-reflective coating.
Strap and Buckle
Integrated rubber strap with titanium folding clasp.