Froggy

How do you go from this...

Courtesy of MB&F

To this -

Courtesy of MB&F

I suspect that if you're part of the gang at Max Busser & Friends, the only thing limiting you is your imagination, so from frog to time machine is not really such a stretch!

Today they are introducing the latest member of their eclectic family - the HM3 Poison Dart Frog.

Courtesy of MB&F

And yes, I could write about the exclusivity - only 10 available.  Or bang on about the craftsmanship, the technical prowess - and by the way, these are truly praiseworthy points.  But I think what constantly strikes me about MB&F is WILLINGNESS.  The willingness to break away and try something different.  The conviction of their vision, and their unflinching commitment to it.

There is nothing wrong with vanilla ice cream - but sometimes you want pistachio, you know?

Okay, for those of you interested in the brass tacks - here they are:

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 aluminum, 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.