Jumping into the Future: MB&F’s M.A.D.2 Makes its Debut

In the world of luxury watches, M.A.D. Editions are known for making MB&F’s ingenious creations more accessible to a wider audience. In fact, they are considered a more affordable sub-brand that produces fun yet mechanically intriguing timepieces while retaining the brand's innovative spirit. With its lateral time display and triple-blade rotor, M.A.D.1 established the tone for this experimental sub-brand, which combines kinetic art with unusual timekeeping. Now, its successor, M.A.D.2 Jumping Hours, has been revealed, reaffirming MB&F's commitment to horological research and experimentation. The M.A.D.2 edition in orange is meant for Tribe and Friends (in other words, close friends of MB&F) while the green novelty is for a raffle. 

The M.A.D. collection is the brainchild of Eric Giroud, designer, rebel, and longtime MB&F Friend. Born in Switzerland and raised in the Valais canton, he (Giroud) inherited a strong connection to nature, an extraordinary work ethic, and a deep appreciation for authenticity. In 1998, he opened his own watch design office that allowed him to freely express his creative sensitivity. Architect through and through, he works in cross-sections while keeping his goals in mind. Since 2015, he has served on the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie's Cultural Council in the areas of style, design, and art. 

Attesting to Giroud’s ingenuity, each M.A.D.2 Jumping Hours watch is housed in a 42 mm case crafted from stainless steel, which looks like a rounded pebble; even the crown’s logo has an almond-like shape. The jumping hour complication certainly adds to it an element of surprise — it’s a secret wearers will uncover only after spending some time with the watch, as nothing screams “bi-directional jumping hours” at first glance. The small metal markers, which look like guitar picks, almonds, or maybe even alien eyes, indicate the jumping hour and trailing minutes at the very centre of the timepiece. 

The dial and display, with raised central subdials representing the hours (jumping) and minutes (trailing), resemble the turntables on a DJ mixing console. The dial's base, in green or orange, pays homage to vinyl textures, with grooves and satin finishes that evoke music tracks. And surrounding the central, raised, almost floating dial is something definitely MB&F in concept: a spinning platter inspired by the stroboscopic band of Technics SL 1200, complete with Super-LumiNova stop pins. Like M.A.D.1's upper-mounter rotor, the oscillating weight of M.A.D.2’s movement makes the platter spin with each flick of the wrist. The display remains highly practical with the two indications positioned at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. 

The M.A.D.2 Jumping Hours watches are powered by a Swiss made Manufacture La Joux-Perret calibre G101 with a bi-directional jumping hour and trailing minutes module developed by MB&F; it delivers a 64-hour power reserve. The stroboscopic platter is in fact the automatic winding rotor, visible from both the front and the back. Turning the watches over reveals the gyroscopic off-centred rotor with the engraving of “It’s a MAD World”. Each watch is finished on a leather strap with a stainless steel folding buckle.