Renowned Swiss watchmaker MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends) has taken inspiration from the vibrant yellow-banded poison dart frog to create its latest masterpiece: the HM3 Poison Dart Frog. This audacious timepiece features two distinct domes—crafted from lightweight aluminum and shielded by sapphire crystals—that display the hours and minutes with mesmerizing clarity. Limited to just 10 exclusive pieces, the HM3 Poison Dart Frog is a testament to MB&F’s avant-garde design philosophy and technical prowess. Available only at The Hour Glass, this collector’s item blurs the line between horology and natural artistry. For full details, see the official press release below.
HM3 Poison Dart Frog
HM3 Poison Dart Frog is a limited edition of 10 pieces inspired by the spectacular yellow-banded poison dart frog.
The deadly potential of the poison dart frog is camouflaged in the tropical rainforest by this amphibian’s exotically-patterned black and yellow skin. Similarly, the high-tech zirconium case of Poison Dart Frog is disguised by a sleek, black layer of PVD. The black case contrasts spectacularly with the animated rotor – framed by an over-sized date wheel – on top of the Jean-Marc Wiederrecht-designed complication.
The protruding eyes of real-life, amphibious frogs enable them to see in many directions without having to turn their head. The bulbous hour and minute domes of Poison Dart Frog create a similar effect, though in this case it means the wearer can easily read the time from a variety of angles without having to turn his or her wrist.
The hour and minute domes had to be meticulously machined from solid aluminium, chosen for its optimal strength to weight ratio – the domes weigh just over 0.5g. First, they are milled from the outside and then the inside to arrive at a paper-thin wall thickness of just 0.28mm, ensuring their energy requirements are kept to an absolute minimum.
Protecting the hour and minute domes are two semi-spherical sapphire crystal domes that had to be shaped and polished with utmost precision as the slightest imperfection in the sapphire could produce a disconcerting magnification effect.
HM3 Poison Dart Frog may portray the time and date playfully, but there is nothing but serious attention to detail regarding the fine hand-finishing of the highly-tuned engine that purrs away inside.
This limited edition is available exclusively at The Hour Glass.
[ Source: MB&F ]
