The Legacy Machine 101 has always occupied a unique position within MB&F's catalogue. Now, as MB&F marks its 20th anniversary, the LM101 EVO transforms this essential creation into something altogether more versatile. Where other Legacy Machines embraced complications and mechanical complexity, the LM101 EVO celebrated the beauty of fundamentals executed to perfection.

The EVO transformation represents far more than surface refinement. Building upon the blueprint established by the LM Perpetual EVO in 2020, followed by the Split Escapement and Sequential EVOs in 2022, this latest evolution applies hard-won insights about durability and wearability to MB&F's most accessible creation. The result is a watch that maintains the visual drama of its predecessor whilst gaining the robustness demanded by contemporary collecting habits.

10 years after its debut, MB&F's most accessible Legacy Machine undergoes a metamorphosis that collectors have long awaited. The Legacy Machine 101 EVO arrives as a celebration of MB&F's 20th anniversary, transforming the brand's quintessential dress watch into a companion for the modern horological enthusiast's dynamic lifestyle.

The original LM101, launched in 2014, represented a significant milestone for MB&F as the first calibre conceived entirely by their in-house engineering team. With its relatively modest 40 mm diameter and refined proportions, it offered an entry point into MB&F's universe whilst sacrificing none of the brand's characteristic three-dimensional drama. That signature spectacle comes courtesy of the monumental 14 mm balance wheel, suspended high above the movement like a mechanical heart proudly on display.

The EVO treatment, first introduced in 2020, represents more than mere aesthetic refinement. It's a comprehensive reimagination that transforms Legacy Machines into robust companions for active wear. The new LM101 EVO inherits all the hallmarks of this evolution: 80 metres of water resistance, a screw-down crown, and MB&F's ingenious FlexRing shock absorption system nestled between case and movement.

For this anniversary edition, MB&F has chosen titanium as the case material, a decision that speaks to both contemporary sensibilities and practical considerations. Two striking dial variations emerge: a warm salmon achieved through CVD (chemical vapour deposition) and an enchanting peacock green that shifts between emerald, sapphire and amethyst depending on the light's angle. These aren't merely decorative choices; the CVD technique was specifically selected for its technical compatibility with the dial plate's integral role within the movement architecture.

Subtle refinements reveal themselves to the attentive observer. The twin black subdials now feature delicately circled borders, whilst newly designed white gold hands enhance legibility. Perhaps most significantly, the power reserve has been extended from 45 to 60 hours, a practical improvement that acknowledges the watch's sporting ambitions.

The iconic twin arches supporting the flying balance wheel have evolved too. Still milled from single blocks of metal and requiring countless hours of hand-finishing to achieve their mirror polish, they now feature more fluid, refined bases. Even the escapement wheel has been reimagined, incorporating MB&F's recurring battle-axe motif, a detail that speaks to the brand's attention to thematic consistency across their collections.

Beneath the sapphire crystal caseback lies a movement that honours traditional craftsmanship whilst embracing contemporary aesthetics. The darkened bridges, a signature of the EVO line, provides dramatic contrast to the hand-polished bevels, undulating Geneva waves, and gold chatons. Each element testifies to the influence of Kari Voutilainen, whose specifications for architecture and finishing ensure the movement meets the highest standards of traditional high watchmaking.

The manual-winding calibre features a Straumann double hairspring and reliable slipping mainspring barrel, combining historical legitimacy with modern reliability. With 233 components and 23 jewels, it represents mechanical sophistication distilled to its essence.

The LM101 EVO arrives with a choice of white or grey rubber straps that exemplify the thoughtful integration characteristic of the EVO philosophy. The case design forgoes traditional lugs in favour of a more organic architecture, where the strap appears to emerge naturally from the titanium case. This seamless transition enhances both comfort and visual coherence, allowing the watch to move with the wrist rather than simply sitting upon it.

The absence of a conventional bezel creates an uninterrupted vista through the domed sapphire crystal. This design decision transforms the entire upper surface into a viewing window, where light plays across the dimensional movement architecture from edge to edge. The crystal's gentle curve meets the case flanks in a continuous arc, eliminating harsh transitions and creating a tactile experience that invites exploration. Each angle reveals new facets of the mechanical ballet within, from the towering balance wheel to the precisely finished bridge work that frames it.

The LM101 EVO serves as both celebration and statement. For MB&F's 20th anniversary, it acknowledges the desires of collectors who've championed the original LM101 whilst demonstrating the brand's commitment to continuous evolution. It proves that even the most established designs can be reimagined without losing their essential character.

In transforming the "101", their fundamental expression of mechanical watchmaking, into an EVO edition, MB&F has created something that feels both inevitable and surprising. It's a watch that respects its heritage whilst confidently striding into the future, much like MB&F itself as it enters its third decade of horological creativity.