MB&F LM Perpetual Longhorn

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, MB&F introduces two limited-edition “Longhorns,” each made in stainless steel and limited to 20 pieces. These timepieces feature rhodium-plated base plates, glossy black lacquer dials, and blue hands. The Longhorn concept originated in 2009 during the design process of the LM1, MB&F’s inaugural Legacy Machine. While the idea of extended lugs, or “horns,” was visually striking, it posed a practical challenge—should the spring bar be placed near the case or at the tip of the lugs? Both options risked a poor fit depending on wrist size. Ultimately, shorter horns replaced the long ones, and the idea was set aside.

Fast forward to 2021, the 10th anniversary of the LM1. With no LM1 models left in production, only a single prototype remained to commemorate the milestone. The question arose: how could this piece stand out even more? Revisiting the longhorn design solved the dilemma.

While most LM1s were made in precious metals or titanium, this one featured stainless steel and glossy black dials—a significant departure from the classic white subdials. Producing the flawless black finish proved challenging, as even a speck of dust could ruin the surface. However, persistence paid off. Phillips later auctioned the piece in collaboration with Bacs & Russo, with proceeds benefiting Save the Rhino International.

The newly launched LM Perpetual Longhorn is the first model in this series, incorporating MB&F’s award-winning perpetual calendar, which was introduced in 2015. Developed in partnership with watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, the 581-component movement overcomes the typical issues of perpetual calendars, such as skipped dates or jammed gears. McDonnell’s innovative “mechanical processor” ensures a seamless operation by deactivating the adjuster pushers during calendar transitions.

This anniversary edition shows off McDonnell’s intricate movement with a bold new look: extended lugs paired with a black, silver, and blue color scheme, limited to just 20 pieces.