This rad MB&F HM8 Mark 2 was inspired by Zagato and the Porsche 918 Spyder

Swiss watchmaker MB&F has unveiled the HM8 Mark 2, which it says was inspired by both Zagato and the Porsche 918 Spyder. That’s one way to get our attention.

Yep, we’re told that founder Maximilian Büsser always dreamt of becoming a car designer, which is why he has spent the last 10 years or so releasing automotive-inspired watches.

It began with the HM5 that took inspiration from the vents on a Lamborghini Miura, and that was quickly followed up by the HMX and the HM8, with the former inspired by the coachbuilder Touring Superleggera and the latter by Can-Am cars. Very cool indeed.

Plus, all of these watches have used a speedo-style display on the side of the case that apparently makes it easier to read the time while driving.

The HM8 Mark 2 is no different in that regard, but on top of the 918 Spyder-shaped case is a glorious Zagato-style double bubble made from sapphire crystal that allows you to see the mechanical movement inside.

MB&F refers to this as its "most technologically evolved model to date" and says that only one supplier agreed to make the supremely fiddly sapphire. Oh, and each one costs the company between 30 and 40 times more than a standard dome sapphire.

Still, they should make some of that investment back given that each Mark 2 costs – wait for it – €70,000.

The rest of the watch features a titanium chassis with CarbonMacrolon (a composite material that’s eight times lighter than steel) panels for the case. There’s a battle axe rotor too and a leather strap, and you can have the whole thing in white with green accents and a green strap or British racing green with gold/turquoise accents and a white strap. The latter will be limited to just 33 examples though.

STORY Greg Potts