When it comes to artistic craftsmanship, the name Eddy Jaquet commands reverence from the few who understand his quiet mastery. In partnership with MB&F, Jaquet presents his second installment of engraved timepieces in a new eight-piece extension of the Legacy Machine (LM) Split Escapement series. Following the success of the Jules Verne series, these new uniquely made timepieces again draw inspiration from beloved works of literature: Robinson Crusoe, The Three Musketeers, The Last of the Mohicans, The Jungle Book, The Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood. 

Presenting Eddy Jaquet, front and center 

Eddy Jaquet’s association with MB&F began in 2011 with a modest task: engraving the names of two esteemed watchmakers, Kari Voutilainen and Jean-François Mojon, on the bridges of the Legacy Machine calibers. For years, this was Jaquet’s role — a task that, although executed with flawless precision, hardly tapped into the depth of his abilities. Maximilian Büsser once reflected on this limited use of Jaquet’s talent, likening it to playing “Für Elise” on a Stradivarius violin — admirable, but missing the full potential of the instrument.

That changed in 2021. Jaquet expressed his desire to take on more challenging projects, and MB&F agreed, setting the stage for his first series of Legacy Machine Split Escapement watches, all of which were engraved with scenes inspired by Jules Verne’s iconic novels. The success of this series, particularly the Around the World in Eighty Days edition, won the GPHG’s Artistic Crafts Award in 2021; the series sold out quickly.

Retelling childhood classics

The LM Split Escapement’s design, with its expansive dial plate, provided Jaquet with an ideal canvas for his creations. The dial doubles as the movement’s baseplate, yet varies in thickness across its surface; in some sections, the plate was only 0.35mm thick, necessitating a feather-light touch to avoid puncturing the metal. 

To further accommodate Jaquet’s engravings, MB&F made subtle but significant modifications to the LM Split Escapement. The case dimensions were reworked to provide more space for the engravings, and slimmer bezels were introduced. The date and power-reserve subdials were also redesigned to be more open, offering Jaquet additional surface area to display his intricate scenes. 

Every engraving in this news series was developed from Jaquet’s deep engagement with the source material. His work does not merely borrow from existing illustrations, but instead offers fresh, deeply personal interpretations. Jaquet’s process involved re-reading each novel and synthesizing scenes, characters, and moments that resonated with him. His attention to detail is evident: from Mowgli nestled in the paws of Rama in The Jungle Book to the fight scene in The Three Musketeers, each dial is a tapestry of narrative richness.

Each watch in the series comes housed in a stainless steel case, with black subdials that contrast against the white gold baseplate. Each timepiece is paired with an original drawing signed by Jaquet, as well as a Loupe System X6 macro lens, allowing owners to explore every minuscule detail of the engraving with the appreciation it deserves. In the Robinson Crusoe piece, for instance, the viewer can discover tiny tally marks carved into a cross — an almost invisible detail without the aid of magnification. 

Using a combination of matte and polished surfaces, Jaquet creates a visual interplay that shifts as the timepiece moves. Each scene comes alive as light reflects off different parts of the engraving, adding depth and vibrancy to the narrative.

Tech Specs: MB&F x Eddy Jaquet Legacy Machine Split Escapement

Movement: Manual-winding LM Split Escapement movement developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes; date; power-reserve indicators
Case: 44.5mm × 18.2 mm; stainless steel; water-resistant to 30m
Dial: White gold, hand-engraved
Strap: Dark navy alligator leather
Price: CHF 158,000 (excl. VAT)
Availability: Eight pièce uniques