MB&F LM Sequential Flyback Platinum
MB&F unveils the LM Sequential Flyback Platinum, a twin chronograph with advanced flyback functionality and multiple timing modes. Share
In 2022, MB&F introduced its Legacy Machine Sequential EVO, a revolutionary twin chronograph that expanded the horizons of timing capabilities. This innovative chronograph redefined the concept of timekeeping, earning widespread acclaim from collectors and securing the prestigious GPHG ‘Aiguille d’Or’ award the same year.
The brainchild of Stephen McDonnell, a longtime collaborator with MB&F and the creator behind the 2015 LM Perpetual, the LM Sequential EVO proved to be an incredibly useful timepiece. Its multiple timing modes allowed users to measure everything from the performance of two athletes simultaneously to consecutive lap times on a track, or even the cooking times of different dishes in the oven. The practicality of these functions was immediately evident.
Despite its impressive features, McDonnell and MB&F had initially envisioned an additional capability for the LM Sequential EVO: the flyback function. McDonnell’s original prototype included a flyback system on the left-hand chronograph, and the necessary provisions were built into the LM Sequential EVO. However, perfecting this feature proved to be exceptionally challenging. The process involved six redesigns, each adding complexity and requiring extensive testing. McDonnell deemed it unwise to release the watch with an unproven flyback function when so many other elements were at stake.
The key to the Sequential chronograph’s operation lies in the internal jewelling of the vertical clutches. The new flyback system also required jewelling to function correctly. McDonnell dedicated significant effort to minimize friction, ensuring the flyback would not cause the return-to-zero to jam. To achieve this, he incorporated a specially crafted jewelled roller into the flyback mechanism, a component so unique it had to be handmade for the prototype to validate the concept.
After two years of secrecy and rigorous testing, the system proved robust enough for long-term use, paving the way for the LM Sequential Flyback Platinum. The LM Sequential Flyback Platinum shares the same layout as the LM Sequential EVO, featuring two chronograph displays. One display has its seconds at 9 o’clock and minutes at 11 o’clock, while the other has its seconds at 3 o’clock and minutes at 1 o’clock. Each chronograph can be independently started, stopped, and reset using the start/stop and reset pushers on their respective sides. The new flyback function allows the reset pushers to trigger a flyback if the corresponding chronograph is running. These pushers account for the usual four associated with dual chronograph mechanisms.
A unique fifth pusher, the Twinverter, is located at the 9 o’clock position. Dubbed the “magic button” by McDonnell, the Twinverter enhances the functionality of the LM Sequential beyond any existing chronograph wristwatch. It controls both chronograph systems as a binary switch, inverting their start/stop status. This means pressing the Twinverter starts both chronographs if they are stopped, stops both if they are running, or swaps their states if one is running and the other is stopped.
In a race scenario involving two competitors, the Twinverter can start both chronographs simultaneously. Different end times can be recorded by pressing each chronograph’s individual start/stop pusher. The durations can exceed 60 seconds, surpassing the typical limit for split-second chronographs. The flyback function allows for quick restarts. In a work setting, you can track time spent on different projects throughout the day by starting one chronograph for one task and using the Twinverter when switching to another. This method also works well for timing chess matches.
For sports with laps, the chronographs can measure individual lap times. Starting one chronograph at the beginning and using the Twinverter at each lap’s completion ensures precise lap timing. The stopped chronograph can be reset and relaunched for the next lap. The minutes’ totalisers make the LM Sequential suitable for events with longer lap times, such as motor sports.
The flyback function, originally developed for airplane pilots in the 1930s, allows for accurate timing by resetting and restarting the chronograph with a single press. Combining this function with the other modes of the Sequential calibre adds even more versatility. A pilot, for example, can track overall flight time with one chronograph while using the flyback function to time each leg of the journey accurately.
The design of the LM Sequential is unique, housing two independent chronographs within a single movement linked to a common escapement and oscillator. Conventional chronographs suffer from energy losses, which would double with two chronographs in one movement, leading to poor performance. The LM Sequential overcomes this with innovative internally-jewelled vertical clutches and a control system, ensuring energy efficiency and precision.
