MB&F HM12: The Watch with a Robot Guardian from Another Galaxy
As the lucky owner of a number of MB&F Horological Machines, the concept of a watch that could double as the head of a robot, which could then be displayed on a separate robot’s body when not being worn, definitely intrigued me. But could this concept work in the real world?
By Paul Blandford
Watch Collector
To me, watches are all about passion. So, if you’re anything like me, then I’m sure that, at some point, you’ve probably felt that feeling you get when you see something really special, which is exactly how I felt when I first saw HM12 The Guardian from MB&F.
I had already seen the slides from the HM12 marketing presentation on a previous visit to Geneva; however, the first thing that struck me when Max Maertens, Creative Designer for Watches & Clocks at MB&F, actually put the watch in my hands was how incredibly wearable it was.
Given that I’m used to wearing the HM4 (54 x 52 x 24mm), HM6 (49.5 x 52.3 x 20.4mm), or the HM9 (57 x 47 x 23mm), the HM12, with its 49.3mm length, 43.6mm width, and 13.9mm height, feels relatively compact compared to any of those. Of course, articulated lugs are not a new concept for Horological Machines, but the range of motion that the HM12’s lugs at 12 o’clock provide means that it sits really well on the wrist.
This is even more impressive when you see what is packed into the titanium, not only do you get the rotating discs for the hours and minutes (which double as the robot’s eyes), but you also get a flying tourbillon “brain” and the battle axe micro-rotor for the mouth.
The Legacy Machine Reverse
What I wasn’t expecting was the view you get when you turn the watch around and look at the reverse. It could almost be a different watch!
Perfectly symmetrical in a way you’ll appreciate if you’ve ever seen the back of one of Rexhep Rexhepi’s watches, the biggest surprise of all is that the back of the HM12 looks much more like a Legacy Machine than a Horological Machine. Kari Voutilainen’s finishing on the reverse of the rotor and the traditional gold coloring to the rest of the movement provide a beautiful juxtaposition to what you see on the front of the watch.
I really appreciate the fact that the HM12 – a piece originally developed to celebrate MB&F’s 20th anniversary (which was in 2025) – has managed to be as forward-thinking as collectors have come to expect from the brand’s Horological Machines, but still retains the nod to history and high-end finishing that we have come to expect from the Legacy Machine side of the brand.
The Shields Party Piece
The final piece of the HM12 jigsaw comes in the form of the shields on the watch that can be engaged when you want to put the robot head into “battle mode.”
To do this, you use the second crown to engage the over 200 components that move the colored shields in stages from fully retracted to protecting parts of the face and eyes.
Completely unnecessary? Yes. Incredibly fun? Absolutely!
The Guardian Robot
It was at this point that Max Maertens finally removed the cover that had been hiding the robot part of HM12. And let me tell you: Even the incredible photos from Watchonista Studios accompanying this article do not do it justice!
For context, there was a Balthazar clock on display in the M.A.D. Gallery, so I spent some time reminding myself how incredibly cool this robot clock was before I saw HM12.
The “tale of the tape” shows that when standing on his base, The Guardian comes in at 38.2cm high, which is very similar to Balthazar’s 39.4cm. However, with an incredible 755 components, The Guardian absolutely destroys Balthazar in terms of complexity (he even has a thermometer to tell you how cool he is whilst doing it!).
The number of different movements that The Guardian’s arms can make is also far superior. The finishing is way more impressive. The loupe “shield” and the UV light “weapon” it carries are great touches. And it just looks so much meaner!
My personal favorite detail is the construction of the neck, which is like some form of robotic exoskeleton and has been executed superbly.
I had the pleasure of being in the room when a few of my friends also got their first look at the HM12, and I wish I had recorded their reactions as the robot was unveiled. The way their eyes lit up was special. And in some cases, it was easy to see that their childhood memories of playing with robots were flooding back as smiles broke out.
The Verdict
As a standalone watch, is the HM12 perfect? Even as a self-confessed MB&F fanboy, it is not quite perfect for me personally. In fact, when it comes to Horological Machines with tourbillons, I prefer the drama of the HM6 Final Edition, with its huge dome.
Speaking of domes, I would also have preferred it if the hours and minutes were displayed on domes like a number of other Horological Machines, rather than using a display similar to the M.A.D.2. While I appreciate that this would have made the watch thicker, imagine how cool it would be to have LumiNova dome eyes. MB&F are no strangers to crazy-shaped crystals, after all!
Having said all this, the HM12 watch is only one part of the package; it is the execution of the whole concept that makes this new Horological Machine so special for me.
Pricing & Availability
At CHF 280,000 (excluding taxes), it’s certainly not cheap. However, when you consider that the HM6 Final Edition was CHF 210,000 (excluding taxes) and the Balthazar robot clock is close to CHF 60,000, then I can certainly make a case for the HM12 being good value (especially in a world where new independent watchmakers want to charge you close to six figures for a three-hander).
There will be no shortage of potential HM12 buyers, and I’m sure each of the 36 pieces could be sold multiple times. Those lucky enough to be allocated one will definitely be transported back to their childhood by the team of creative adults at MB&F.
So, while for me, when it comes to MB&F, it is no secret that HM9 will always have my heart... the new HM12 definitely has my (robot) head!
For more information, check out the MB&F website.