The chronograph has barely changed in a century. Two pushers, one timer, start and stop. MB&F’s LM Sequential threw that out in 2022 with a design built around twin chronographs and binary logic. The concept was radical enough to win the Aiguille d’Or at that year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, watchmaking’s equivalent of the Palme d’Or. Now, four years later, that idea has evolved into the LM Sequential Flyback EVO—a watch that manages to be both more capable and more wearable than its predecessor.
Engineering a New Chronograph Language
MB&F’s Legacy Machine collection has always been about revisiting classical watchmaking ideas through a contemporary lens. With the Sequential project, however, the brand stepped into entirely new territory. Traditional chronographs rely on a single timing train layered onto a movement originally designed to tell time. The Sequential calibre, conceived and developed by Stephen McDonnell, rejects that compromise. Instead, it integrates two independent chronograph mechanisms into a single movement, both driven by the same escapement and balance.
At the centre of the experience is the Twinverter, a fifth pusher positioned at nine o’clock. Unlike a conventional start-stop button, it acts as a binary switch. Press it, and the state of both chronographs inverts. If both are stopped, they start together. If one is running and the other is not, they swap roles. This logic-based approach allows the watch to perform tasks that would otherwise require multiple timers, or even multiple watches, while remaining intuitive on the wrist.
The addition of a flyback function to both chronographs elevates this system further. Flyback chronographs were originally developed for aviation, where timing errors of even a few seconds could accumulate dangerously over long journeys. By allowing the chronograph to reset and restart in a single press, they removed hesitation from the equation. Integrating that function into a dual-chronograph architecture was far from straightforward. McDonnell’s early prototypes included flyback capability, yet the decision was taken to hold it back until the underlying system had proven itself in the real world.
What makes the Sequential calibre work is its internally jewelled vertical clutches. Unlike traditional lateral clutches, which can cause amplitude loss and hand flutter, these clutches sit within the gear train and operate with minimal friction. For the flyback to function reliably, further jewelling was required, including a specially developed jewelled roller that had to be fabricated by hand during early testing. The result is a movement that maintains stable performance whether one chronograph is running, both are running, or either is repeatedly reset on the fly.
The EVO case plays an equally important role. Machined from grade 5 titanium, it measures 44mm across and just over 18mm thick, yet wears more compactly thanks to its integrated rubber strap and curved profile. The absence of a traditional bezel opens up the dial, while the domed sapphire crystal provides depth without fragility. Water resistance is rated to 80 metres, supported by a screw-down crown and MB&F’s FlexRing shock-absorption system, which isolates the movement from vertical and lateral impacts.
Visually, the aquamarine dial plate brings a cooler, more contemporary tone to the Legacy Machine architecture. The inclined time display at six o’clock improves legibility and adds a subtle asymmetry, while the suspended balance at twelve remains the visual anchor. Darkened NAC-finished bridges on the reverse reinforce the EVO’s more technical character, without losing the hand-finishing that defines MB&F’s work.
Market Perspective and Collectability
MB&F occupies a distinctive position in the high-end watch market. It does not compete on volume, nor does it rely on heritage narratives stretching back centuries. Instead, its appeal lies in originality, mechanical credibility, and a loyal collector base that follows each release closely. The Sequential models, in particular, have strengthened that position by combining conceptual innovation with genuine functionality.
Demand for the original LM Sequential EVO has remained strong since launch, helped by its recognition at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Secondary market activity suggests that collectors view it as more than a novelty, although prices can fluctuate depending on configuration and condition. The introduction of the flyback complication adds another layer of interest, especially given that it was part of the original design intent rather than a later add-on.
In the UK market, MB&F watches are typically traded through specialist retailers and established auction houses rather than mainstream platforms. Pricing for the LM Sequential Flyback EVO sits firmly in the upper tier of modern independent watchmaking, reflecting both its complexity and its limited availability. While exact figures vary, buyers should expect a significant premium over simpler Legacy Machine models, with further variation depending on currency movements and regional demand.
From an investment perspective, the watch should be approached with measured expectations. Independent haute horlogerie can perform well over time, particularly when the underlying concept is clearly differentiated. However, liquidity is narrower than for mainstream luxury brands, and values can be sensitive to shifts in collector taste. Authenticity and condition are critical, as is the presence of full documentation.
That said, the Sequential Flyback EVO benefits from being part of a coherent lineage rather than a one-off experiment. Its technical relevance is unlikely to date quickly, and its practicality makes it more wearable than many watches in its price bracket. For collectors who prioritise mechanical substance over brand ubiquity, that balance carries weight.
Looking Ahead
The LM Sequential Flyback EVO represents a confident next step rather than a reinvention. It takes a proven idea and refines it with patience, resisting the temptation to rush complexity to market. In doing so, it reinforces MB&F’s reputation as a brand willing to think slowly and build carefully.
Looking ahead, the Sequential architecture feels less like a closed chapter and more like a platform with room to evolve. Whether or not further variations emerge, this model already stands as a clear expression of modern chronograph thinking—one grounded in historical purpose, yet engineered for contemporary use. For collectors drawn to watches that reward understanding as much as ownership, its appeal is likely to endure.
Meta description: The MB&F LM Sequential Flyback EVO reimagines chronograph design with dual timers, binary logic control, and aviation-grade flyback functionality in a wearable titanium case.
