Introducing: Horological Machine N°8, the watch inspired by a race car

Start your engines, gentlemen - the 'Can-Am' watch is the high-octane timepiece racing to your wrist

If Swiss watch brand MB&F are famed for one thing, it is their striking watch designs.

The watchmaker’s Horological Machines line takes inspiration from science fiction, and has boasted double-dials, 8-shaped dials, cone dials, jet turbine dials and hemispherical dials.

But their latest timepiece, the Horological Machine N°8 (HM8), takes this innovation one step further – and has no dial at all. An idiosyncratic choice, the brand’s latest watch is infused with a high-octane design inspired by the iconic 1966 Can-Am race car – an automobile celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The Canadian-American Challenge Cup, Can-Am for short, was a sports car racing series running from 1966 to 1987. Bruce McLaren developed his very first car for the Can-Am series; and McLaren, Lola, Chaparral, BRM, Shadow and Porsche all ran manufacture teams.

Class restrictions in the Can-Am were minimal and allowed for unlimited engine sizes, turbocharging, supercharging, and unrestricted aerodynamics. This all led to the development of pioneering technology in many fields. And extremely beautiful cars.

HM8 Can-Am captures this beauty – and the rule-breaking ethos of Can-Am. Featuring a curvaceous yet angular case, with dual optical prisms, the time is displayed vertically via bi-directional jumping hours and trailing minutes.

And whilst the distinctive battle-axe winding rotor is visible on top, the real star of HM8 is its Can-Am inspired, polished “roll bars” which majestically sweep from the front of the machine down to the tapered back. Incongruously for a fully mechanical racing machine, the visual effect is electric.

The HM8 Can-Am is to launch in two versions: the 18K white gold/titanium and 18K red gold/titanium.

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