Max Maertens Shares His Creative Process Behind the New MB&F HM12 Design
Max Maertens, a young designer with experience at brands such as Chopard, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and MB&F, created the HM12 Guardian, a hybrid wristwatch‑robot that can transform into a desk clock. The piece combines a complex movement featuring a flying tourbillon “brain,” symmetrically placed jumping hours, a double‑sided micro‑rotor “mouth” and a novel face‑shield complication made of over 200 parts. Developed with MB&F’s engineers Pierre‑Alexandre Gamet and Thomas Lorenzato, and featuring a rear rotor crafted by Kari Voutilainen’s team, the watch balances futuristic design with classic horological language. The robot’s body, produced by L’Epee, consists of 755 components and includes functional details such as a magnetic base with a strap drawer, a mechanical thermometer, a shield‑loupe, and a UV torch. The HM12 Guardian is offered in three colour editions—blue, purple and green—with twelve pieces per colour, totaling thirty‑six units, and carries a price of CHF 280,000 (about $350,000 USD). Maertens emphasizes that beyond technical excellence, the project’s concept, playfulness and emotional impact are paramount, aiming to evoke curiosity and a childlike sense of wonder while delivering a fully functional, meticulously finished timepiece.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights how Max Maertens blends artistic vision with technical mastery to create the groundbreaking HM12 Guardian, illustrating the significance of innovative design and craftsmanship in modern haute horology.
