The Legacy Machine collection has always been MB&F's most paradoxical line. Designed as a tribute to 19th century watchmaking, it features some of the most theatrical three-dimensional movements in contemporary watchmaking. The LM101, introduced in 2014, was the most restrained expression of this idea. Smaller, thinner and mechanically simpler than its siblings, it stripped the concept down to the essentials while retaining the floating balance wheel that defines the family. But it was also the brand's first watch to have a manufacture movement. And in that respect it's pretty important. Over the years the LM101 has evolved, both visually and in terms of materials, but also mechanically, with the addition of a double hairspring. The next big step for the LM101 was to potentially become the brand's most practical watch yet.
This is where the EVO treatment comes in… With the LM101 EVO, introduced in 2025 to mark MB&F's 20th anniversary, the brand consciously strengthened it for everyday use. And that makes it very special. The EVO concept includes a number of design and technical improvements to make MB&F watches more robust and therefore more wearable in everyday life. Featuring a redesigned, more water-resistant case with a screw-down crown, a proprietary FlexRing shock absorber and an integrated rubber strap, the EVO treatment was introduced in 2020 with the hyper-complicated LM Perpetual, a groundbreaking QP developed in collaboration with watchmaking genius Stephen McDonnell. The EVO treatment was then applied to the LM Split Escapement in 2022 and again to one of MB&F's most ambitious and insanely complex chronographs, the Legacy Sequential EVO. And now it's time for the brand's compact legacy machine to evolve…
The case
The MB&F LM101 EVO's case dimensions remain the same – 40mm diameter and 16.5mm thick – but the feel is fundamentally different. The titanium case is lighter and feels more comfortable on the wrist, especially in combination with the integrated rubber strap. Despite the huge sapphire dome required to house the monumental balance wheel, the watch sits securely and feels good on the wrist. Despite the 49 mm lug size, the slanted lugs help the watch feel perfectly balanced on the wrist.
The EVO upgrades are not cosmetic. An 80m water resistance, screw-down crown and the brand's FlexRing shock absorption system combine to transform how the watch behaves in real life. This is the first LM101 that doesn't require much restraint from the wearer. With practice, you stop worrying about what a significant change means. With a little practice you can easily wear the watch and enjoy it, which is a big advantage.
The dial
The dial remains a component of the movement rather than just a decorative layer. The base plate, manufactured using CVD (chemical vapor deposition), is available in salmon or a very dynamic peacock green, the latter offering changing shades that react particularly strongly to ambient light and also appear modern, if not slightly provocative. The sub-dials have been redesigned and are now black with fine metal frames, with the contrast slightly improved. The time display at two o'clock features a new set of white gold hands and applied indices, and the power reserve indicator at six o'clock reflects the improved autonomy of 60 hours. Readability is still not the primary goal, but it is more relaxed and less ornamental than before.
The focus is on the 14 mm balance wheel, which is suspended under a highly polished double arch. The bridge has been refined, with cleaner transitions at its base and a more flowing profile, a sculpture in itself. The escape wheel bears a quiet but unmistakable MB&F battle ax motif, which can be seen if you look closely.
The movement
The hand-wound caliber LM101 EVO is still an in-house design, with architecture and processing specifications overseen by Kari Voutilainen. It operates at 18,000 vibrations/hour and is equipped with a Straumann double spiral manufactured by Precision Engineering AG, a sister company of H. Moser & Cie, and introduced in this version of the LM101.
The jump from a 45-hour to a 60-hour power reserve is a practical improvement that matters. Winding feels deliberate and controlled, supported by a sliding barrel. Through the caseback, the movement reveals darkened NAC-treated bridges, giving the EVO a sportier tone. Nevertheless, no compromises have been made in the finishing: large polished bevels, Geneva waves, gold chatons and polished screws are still finished to a level that comfortably justifies the positioning of the watch.
The strap
The integrated rubber strap is another transformative element of the “EVO package”. Available in gray or white, it is soft, ergonomic and adapts perfectly to the case. It removes the certain formality associated with previous LM101 iterations and reinforces the feeling that this watch is meant to be lived. It features a titanium folding clasp with spring-loaded blades – one of the best of its kind on the market.
Final thoughts
The LM101 EVO is absolutely not about rewriting MB&F's design. It's about correcting a mismatch between form and use that has existed since the first Legacy Machines appeared. By making the LM101 more robust without taking away its spirit, MB&F has created a very compelling everyday machine.
At 62,000 francs pre-tax and produced in limited quantities, this is hardly a bargain; This is still not a piece you want to accidentally and/or occasionally hit against the door frame. But for those who are drawn to MB&F's vision and have been hesitant to take a legacy machine outside of a “controlled environment,” the LM101 EVO makes a compelling, practical case. More information at mbandf.com.
https://monochrome-watches.com/review-mbandf-lm101-evo-legacy-machine-101-evo-titanium-specs-price/