High end luxury watches have been made out of numerous materials, including steel and titanium, but one material which has recently caught the attention of watchmakers is palladium. Below are some reasons why this is the case.

MB&F Legacy Machine No.2

In 2013, a company called MB&F introduced a now legendary watch which is referred to as the Legacy Machine No.2, which is a highly complex, dual handed wristwatch. It is distinctive for the 2 balances which are positioned prominently above the dial. While the watchmaker previously manufactured timepieces made with materials such as titanium, platinum and gold, this time it wanted to go with something different, and they chose to use palladium instead, but why?

Palladium Attributes

Palladium is an exceptionally scarce precious metal which is said to have a rarity which is fifteen times greater than platinum and thirty times greater than gold. Despite the fact that it is quite costly and very challenging to machine, it is tempting to watchmakers who are looking to stand out from the crowd and challenge themselves by creating a timepiece that is unlike any other, and this is precisely what MB&F did.

Their watch features a forty five component roundish case which measures approximately forty four mm within diameter, with a thickness of 19mm. it also displays a sapphire crystal which is bubble shaped which protrudes from its polished bezel rim. A winding crown which is signed also protrudes from its case side near a 2 o’clock position. The case back uses a screw on style that has been fitted with a prominent sapphire display view, which offers an impressive glimpse of its internal movement. It also provides water resistance up to thirty meters.

Layout

The dial’s overall layout is similar to previous watches released by MB&F, though with the palladium version its base layer uses coloration which makes it distinct from every predecessor. The pristine white tone is complemented by a sunray dial made with aquamarine, which functions as a backdrop for numerous components which rest above it. Instead of utilizing a saturated and rich hue, the dial instead uses coloring which is pale and understated, so that the light green, icy blue and grayish tones are well presented all throughout the metallic surface.

Palladium watches often display their time through the usage of smaller dials which are offer centered near a 12 o’clock position with Roman styled numeral markers. Some, like the LM2 will also utilize planetary differential based sits within the dial’s bottom, which are supported via a bridge which has the shape of a double arc and which has been mirror polished.

Working with palladium also allows watchmakers to include dual balanced wheels that have been suspended within a bridge which is V-shaped to generate a sophisticated appearance that is highly structural, while also providing lots of visual intrigue and motion. The LM2 in particular uses dual regular style movement which is three dimensional and which can operate with a frequency of eighteen thousands vph or 2.5 Hz. Its power reserve can last for up to 45 hours.