Innovative collaborations breathe fresh life into the timeless art of watchmaking. Enter the latest marvel from MB&F’s spinoff label, M.A.D. Editions, in partnership with the renowned French fashion designer and artist Jean Charles de Castelbajac. The M.A.D.1 ‘Time to Love’ watch is a colorful testament to creativity, marking a captivating fusion of haute horlogerie and avant-garde design.
Maximilian Büsser, the visionary behind MB&F, has long admired Castelbajac’s boundary-pushing creativity. Inspired by the artist’s fearless approach to design and his message of love and life, Büsser saw an opportunity to merge their worlds. Castelbajac’s illustrious career, spanning five decades, has been defined by unconventional expression and a commitment to spreading love and spirituality through his work.
The M.A.D.1 ‘Time to Love’ embodies the essence of Castelbajac’s artistry with its vibrant color palette and whimsical design elements. The watch features a 42mm stainless steel case housing an inverted Miyota 821A automatic movement. At its heart lies a striking titanium and tungsten triple-blade rotor, decked in Castelbajac’s signature hues of blue, yellow, and red lacquer, resembling angel wings in motion. The dial showcases the artist’s handwritten numerals, while the crown depicts an angel conversing with the moon, a recurring motif in Castelbajac’s oeuvre. It also features a lateral time display with 2 rotating aluminum cylinders for hours (bright green) and minutes (black). A quote engraved on the dial and caseback ‘Ce trésor rare et précieux, c’est ta vie. Le temps vole de ses ailes blanches. Tu es le gardien de ton temps,’ a sapphire crystal on top, main section in mineral glass, and water resistance up to 30 meters. It comes with a black and white strap embroidered with ‘Time to Love.’
Powered by an upside-down modified Miyota 821A automatic movement, the M.A.D.1 ‘Time to Love’ features a rotor on the dial-side, a lateral time display via revolving hour and minute rings in aluminum with SLN numerals, and a 60-hour power reserve.
Limited to just 999 pieces, the M.A.D.1 ‘Time to Love’ is a collector’s dream, with half of the production reserved for Tribe Members and brand suppliers. The remaining pieces will be available to the public via a raffle system, ensuring fair distribution. Registration for the raffle is open until April 17th, with the watch priced at $3,600 (excluding VAT). Deliveries are slated from April to September 2024, offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of horological history. To sign up for the raffle, please visit the official MB&F M.A.D. Gallery website.
