You can say what you will about the subdued stylings of the Apple Watch, but deep down we’re probably all a little glad it perfectly married form and function — a balance that not all watch makers strive for. MB&F has just revealed its latest creation, the HM6 Space Pirate that more than lives up to its moniker, at least when it comes to styling.
Inspired by an actual animated series called Captain Future, the HM6 borrows design elements from the previous pieces in the company’s HM line, but still manages to achieve an overall look that sets it apart from almost anything that has come before it.
Five separate domes are used to display the actual time (a function that almost seems like an afterthought), a flying tourbillon that can be protected from UV light with a retractable shield, and a pair of vaned turbines that actually spin to help absorb energy and reduce wear and tear on the Space Pirate’s self-winding mechanisms. The watch’s case is also made from two chunks of milled titanium that require about 100 hours of polishing and brushing to achieve the HM6’s desired finish.
Does the design and functionality of the HM6 Space Pirate justify its $US230,000 price tag? That’s a question certainly left to horologists and watch collectors, because by the time the rest of us scrape together that much cash, the limited edition run of just 50 specimens will no doubt be completely sold out. [MB&F via Hodinkee]
