You know that feeling when you spot something so unexpected it makes you stop mid-scroll? That’s exactly what happened when I saw MB&F’s latest creation. The HM11 Art Deco doesn’t just tell time, it looks like someone shrunk an entire 1930s metropolis and strapped it to your wrist. And honestly, I’m here for it.
Let’s talk about what makes this thing so wild. MB&F introduced their HM11 series back in 2023 with the Architect edition, which already pushed boundaries with its architectural inspiration. But the new Art Deco versions, released in 2025, take that concept and run it through a time machine straight to the Jazz Age. Instead of the organic, humanist forms of the original, these new editions embrace the geometric vocabulary of 1930s design, complete with vertical lines, stepped profiles, and those signature sunburst graphics that defined the era.
Designer: MB&F
The case itself is a masterclass in three-dimensional thinking. Picture this: a central atrium surrounded by four peripheral pods, each covered with its own sapphire crystal window. The whole thing sits under a double-domed sapphire roof that creates this incredible play of light and shadow. It’s like looking down at a miniature cityscape from above, which is exactly what MB&F intended. The titanium construction keeps it surprisingly wearable at 42mm wide, though at 23mm tall, this isn’t exactly a watch that’s going to slip under your shirt cuff.
What really gets me excited are the details. MB&F released two versions, and each one has its own personality. The blue dial version features 3N yellow-gold-toned bridges that catch the light beautifully, while the green edition goes for 5N rose-gold-toned bridges. The display markers aren’t your typical hour indexes either. They’re laser-cut with a circular grain finish that echoes Art Deco’s obsession with geometric patterns. And those hands? They’re white gold skeletons with transparent red enamel inserts that create this stunning stained-glass effect when light passes through.
Here’s where things get really interesting from a mechanical standpoint. The movement inside is a fully in-house creation that’s basically a three-dimensional sculpture. It features a flying tourbillon (that’s the fancy spinning cage that helps with accuracy) and uses bevel gears to distribute the mechanics throughout those four pods. The power reserve clocks in at 96 hours, which means you can take it off Friday night and it’ll still be running Monday morning.
But my favorite quirk? You don’t wind this watch with a crown. Instead, you wind it by rotating the entire case clockwise. It’s such a tactile, engaging way to interact with your timepiece, and it completely fits the architectural theme. You’re literally turning a building to power it up. The straps deserve a mention too. The blue version comes on a white lizard leather strap, while the green gets a beige lizard strap, both with titanium folding buckles. They’re textured and refined, adding another layer of 1930s luxury to the whole package.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. At CHF 198,000 (or about EUR 215,000), this is firmly in “if you have to ask” territory. But for that price, you’re getting one of only 10 pieces per color. Twenty watches total for MB&F’s 20th anniversary. This is wearable art that happens to tell time, not just another luxury watch.
What makes the HM11 Art Deco so compelling is how it refuses to play by conventional rules. In a world where most high-end watches still look fundamentally like, well, watches, MB&F went ahead and created something that challenges every assumption about what can sit on your wrist. It’s bold without being gaudy, complex without being cluttered, and somehow manages to be both a tribute to 1930s design and utterly futuristic at the same time.
Whether you’re into horology, design history, or just appreciate objects that make you think differently about everyday things, the HM11 Art Deco is worth paying attention to. It’s the kind of piece that sparks conversations and makes people question what’s possible. And in a market saturated with safe choices and heritage reruns, that’s pretty refreshing.
The post This Art Deco Watch Looks Like a City on Your Wrist first appeared on Yanko Design.
