MB&F has teamed up with independent enameller Gabriel Colliard to create one of its most artistic interpretations of the Legacy Machine 101. The new LM101 Gabriel Colliard collection combines the brand’s distinctive three-dimensional watchmaking with intricate cloisonné enamel scenes inspired by tropical wildlife. Limited to just 24 pieces, the collection turns each dial into a miniature work of art.
There are three versions, each built around a different animal and dominant color. The red edition features two scarlet macaws flying through a tropical landscape, the blue version depicts a monkey surrounded by lush vegetation, while the green model features a crocodile emerging from a swamp. Although each composition has a primary color, Colliard uses numerous shades, varying levels of transparency, and carefully placed details to create depth and visual contrast.
The artwork is produced using the traditional cloisonné enameling technique, one of the most demanding decorative crafts in watchmaking. Colliard begins by bending extremely fine gold wires by hand to outline the animals, plants, and landscape. These wires create tiny compartments that are individually filled with colored enamel before being fired in a kiln. The process is repeated multiple times to build up the colors and achieve the final glass-like surface. Because heat can alter the appearance of enamel or damage an entire composition, every stage requires exceptional precision.
Gabriel Colliard brings an interesting background to the collaboration. After studying fine arts in Argentina, he moved to Switzerland in 2003 and initially worked as a watch polisher. He later trained in enameling in Limoges, France, gaining experience in specialist workshops and at Patek Philippe before establishing his own independent atelier.
The project also required MB&F to rethink parts of the LM101’s architecture. Its large suspended balance wheel, sculptural bridges, and off-center displays leave limited space for decorative work. To accommodate Colliard’s compositions, the dial plate was modified to allow for multiple layers of enamel, while the traditional floating sub-dials were removed and replaced with longer hands. The time is displayed at two o’clock, with the power reserve indicator positioned at six.
The reverse side receives its own artistic treatment. Colliard decorates the movement’s ratchet wheel with cloisonné enamel, echoing the colors and motifs found on the dial. It is a particularly thoughtful detail, extending the artwork beyond the watch’s most visible surface.
Inside the 40mm platinum case is the manually wound LM101 movement, featuring a large 14mm suspended balance wheel and a Straumann double hairspring. The power reserve has been increased from the original 45 hours to 60 hours. Movement finishing specifications were overseen by renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, with traditional details including Geneva waves, hand-polished bevels, gold chatons, and blued screws.
Each of the three designs is limited to just eight examples, bringing the total production to 24 watches. Given the complexity of the enameling process, Colliard expects to complete approximately one dial per month, meaning the entire collection will take more than two years to produce. The price is $131,000 before taxes, with availability through MB&F retailers.
The LM101 Gabriel Colliard is an impressive example of what happens when contemporary independent watchmaking meets traditional decorative craftsmanship. Rather than simply adding an artistic dial to an existing model, MB&F has adapted its mechanical architecture to give the artwork room to breathe. The result is a collection where miniature enamel landscapes and intricate horological engineering share the spotlight. And don’t forget to check our list of the most expenive watches in the world.
