“Time to Love” by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac: An MB&F M.A.D. 1 Special Edition

MB&F, in a groundbreaking collaboration with legendary French artist and designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (JCDC), unveils the “Time to Love” M.A.D. 1 watch, a vibrant testament to creativity, love, and life. This exclusive release, limited to 999 pieces, marks a historic partnership in the watchmaking world, blending the realms of avant-garde art and innovative horology.

A Fusion of Art and Horology

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (JCDC) is a trailblazing French designer and artist known for his vibrant and innovative fashion creations. His career, spanning over five decades, has been marked by a unique blend of art and fashion, famously incorporating elements from popular culture into his designs. JCDC’s collaborations read like a who’s who of the art and music worlds, including partnerships with icons such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, which fused the boundary between art canvases and clothing. His work with global superstars Madonna and Lady Gaga further cemented his reputation as a designer who not only dresses the stars but also creates pop culture phenomena through his avant-garde designs. De Castelbajac’s influence extends beyond fashion, embodying a lifestyle celebrated by those who dare to stand out.

He brings his iconic palette to the world of watchmaking. At 74, his message of love and life resonates more strongly than ever, inspiring the design of the M.A.D. 1 “Time to Love”. Maximilian Büsser, the visionary behind MB&F, celebrates this collaboration as a milestone, showcasing JCDC’s enduring influence and creativity.

The M.A.D.Editions: A Dream Realized

The inception of M.A.D.Editions emerged from a desire to make the creative genius of MB&F accessible to a broader audience. Recognizing that the price point of MB&F’s horological machines placed them out of reach for many, including Büsser’s own circle, the M.A.D.1 was conceived as a creative, yet affordable, alternative. This initiative led to the birth of a new brand name, maintaining MB&F’s spirit of innovation while adjusting the scale of engineering and finishing.

The Evolution of M.A.D.1

The M.A.D.1 series has evolved beautifully, from its original version with distinctive blue highlights to the vibrant M.A.D.1 RED and GREEN editions. Each iteration has been warmly received, broadening the community of enthusiasts and collectors, affectionately known as “The Tribe”. The 2024 collaboration with JCDC adds a new dimension, infusing the M.A.D.1 with red for passion, blue for hope, and yellow for human warmth, alongside a bright green that evokes cherished childhood memories.This design not only optimizes function but also brings a playful animation to the watch, as the colors blend into a whirl of motion.

The “Time to Love” edition upholds the distinguished legacy with a 42mm stainless steel case, seamlessly integrating contemporary engineering with a nod to its heritage through the upside-down modified Miyota 821A automatic movement. Renowned for its dependability and efficiency, this movement is equipped with a distinctive triple-blade rotor crafted from titanium and tungsten. This design element pays homage to the iconic battle-axe rotor seen in various MB&F models, blending tradition with modern watchmaking techniques.

The watch’s crown, placed at noon, features a whimsical depiction of a person speaking to the moon, echoing Castelbajac’s recurring artistic motifs. This attention to detail and storytelling extends to the watch’s lateral time display, which uses two rotating aluminum cylinders for hours and minutes. The bright green hour and black minute cylinders bear numbers in Castelbajac’s own handwriting, further personalizing this extraordinary timepiece.

A Message from the Artist

Beneath the rotor lies a poignant quote in French from Castelbajac: “Ce trésor rare et précieux, c’est ta vie. Le temps vole de ses ailes blanches. Tu es le gardien de ton temps.” This translates to “This rare and precious treasure is your life. Time flies on its white wings. You are the guardian of your time.” It’s a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Each M.A.D. 1 “Time to Love” is accompanied by two straps, one black and one white, both embroidered with the phrase “Time to Love,” encapsulating the essence of this unique collaboration.

An Exclusive Offering

With the “Time to Love” edition, availability is more exclusive than ever. Half of the production run is reserved for MB&F Tribe members and Friends, with the remainder offered to the public through a raffle system. This approach ensures a fair chance for all who aspire to own this remarkable piece of art and engineering.

How to Acquire “Time to Love”

Interested parties are invited to participate in the raffle, opening on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 2pm CET, with registrations open for approximately two weeks. Priced at 3,200 Swiss Francs, the M.A.D. 1 X Jean-Charles de Castelbajac “Time to Love” is not just a watch, but a piece of wearable art that celebrates the joy of life and the power of love.

At the end of the day…

The collaboration between MB&F and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac represents a poignant blend of artistic vision and horological craftsmanship. At the end of the day, “Time to Love” is  a call to celebrate every moment with passion, hope, and warmth. For collectors and aficionados alike, this M.A.D. 1 edition is a vibrant homage to the enduring legacy of creativity that both MB&F and JCDC embody.