Editor’s note: This is a preview of the new MB&F LM101 EVO NYC. For our usual detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here.
Why
To celebrate the opening of MB&F’s New York Lounge, the brand with thousand wondrous horological tricks up its sleeve is unveiling the new LM101 EVO NYC, an exclusive limited edition of 25-pieces in rose gold and black.
What is it
New York especially since the NY Knicks’ way overdue takeover of the basketball arena is having a good moment! Adding to that is the new LM101 EVO NYC.
It has been 12-years since the LM101 — as a smaller version (40mm) of the Legacy Machine No.1 (44mm), designed with input from Kari Voutilainen — was launched featuring the distinctive suspended “flying” balance wheel in the centre of the dial; 6-years since 2020’s LM Perpetual EVO; and few months since last year’s — then available in a green or salmon dial plate featuring black sub-dials for time-telling and power reserve in non-precious case materials — LM101 EVO. The new LM101 EVO NYC’s “101” moniker refers to focus on mechanical watches’ ontological functions: the precision regulating balance wheel, the power reserve depicting mainspring’s depletion energy, and the serenading journey to time itself.
The new LM101 EVO NYC continues the journey courtesy a refined 18K rose gold case and a black PVD-treated dial plate with a sunray-brushed finish, albeit stopping in NYC to present a striking contrast with the signature flying balance wheel and floating sub-dials, on the way towards its global conquest.
Where
Marking a significant expansion of its presence in North America and offering a relaxed environment for watch connoisseurs to discover MB&F’s creations: 595 Madison Avenue, overlooking 57th Street, 5th floor of the historic Fuller Building. This MB&F Lounge New York will be open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, by appointment, and requests can be sent to nyc@mbandf.com / Phone: +1 332 220 3437.
Adds founder Maximilian Büsser: “Welcoming our community in one of the most iconic NYC skyscrapers is a dream come true. American Tribe members have been some of the most loyal supporters of the brand: the boldness of our designs resonates with the daring mindset of the country. Twenty years after the creation of MB&F, it was time for us to give the brand the right platform to welcome them in New York”.
Basic Specs of the new LM101 EVO NYC
Inside the 80m water-resistant and 42-component 40mm x 16.5mm 5N+ rose gold — with “FlexRing” shock protection system — case offering a wearable-across-even-slimmer-wrists 49mm lug-to-lug spacing features the movement comprising 233 components, 23 jewels, and beating at the frequency of 2.5Hz providing a decent power-reserve of 60-hours. In true MB&F style, the movement features superlative 19th century-style hand finishing throughout with internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft; alongside polished bevels, Geneva waves, hand-made engravings and NAC black bridges. The caseback is also engraved with ‘MB&F NYC’, “commemorating the opening of the brand’s newest destination in one of the world’s most dynamic cities”.
Who Is the new LM101 EVO NYC for
I am of course not privy to this brand or any other brands’ inner workings or collabs, but I feel, at least as a watch and basketball fan, that releasing a NYC only novelty so close to the NY Knicks winning without some sort of a nod seems to be a missed opportunity for the New York elites buying this to flaunt their appreciation for their team. But I guess this happens quite often, due to watch designs and supply chains being controlled and run over a number off years/months — I suppose for an industry that seems to manufacture time, their ‘timeliness’ is not really on spot regarding spur of the moment releases. This is of course not a MB&F critique, nor aimed at the new LM101 EVO NYC as it is released to mark the opening of a boutique, but rather just an overall suggestion from my end, to see more on the-spur watch releases from the industry as a whole; to me, those would be more limited sparking joy through spontaneity than simply constrained in numbers. Regardless, the new LM101 EVO NYC should definitely bring collecting pleasure to those lucky enough to secure it.
That’s All Folks!
To find out more about the new LM101 EVO NYC, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy © MB&F – 2026 – All rights reserved.
