The latest M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.1S is done in collaboration with British Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer, Yinka Ilori MBE. Playful, bold, and a pure expression, reminding us to “Grow Your Dreams”.
If you haven’t heard of Yinka Ilori, don’t worry, neither had I. I like art, but I’m not immersed in the art world like I am watches; otherwise, I’d be writing the latest article for Art Advice (is that a thing?). However, seeing the new colourful M.A.D.1S collection that the team at M.A.D.Editions and MB&F have come up with, co-created with Yinka Ilori, needless to say, I had to look him up.
Yinka is a British Nigerian artist who works across multiple disciplines to bring his work to life. He’s known for his bright use of colours and playful designs to turn the ordinary world into anything but ordinary. His mission is to uplift and has used storytelling to blend cultural heritage, social commentary, and aesthetics across diverse mediums – everything from whole buildings, to cars, to fashion, textiles, and now, it seems he has turned his hand to watches. And interestingly, he always had an idea he wanted to design a watch of some sort, and as fate would have it, Max Büsser reached out to him on LinkedIn over 2 years ago about doing a collaboration, and as they say, the rest is history.
Just ahead of Geneva Watch Days, M.A.D.Editions, the brainchild of MB&F Founder Max Büsser, which is designed to give people access to the world of MB&F, albeit at a much lower price point and via a lottery system, is yet again launching the latest collection. This time, there are three versions, limited to 400 pieces each, all done in collaboration with Yinka Ilori. “Grow Your Dreams” is the theme and name of the new collection (it is also Yinka’s mantra), and explores three themes, each watch named as such: Sun, Nature, and Water.
Now, these may look like the previous M.A.D.1S watched with new colour schemes; however, the team at M.A.D.Editions has made quite a few subtle refinements and changes to the new “Grow Your Dreams” collections. Inside is still the LaJoux-Perret automatic movement that was introduced last year to the M.A.D.1S, which made it slimmer than its predecessor, but in this model, the rotor is now slimmer and more intricate. Each blade is precisely milled with a tree motif, a symbol of hope and growth, revealed with every glance at the wrist.
The spinning rotor is made from titanium, with each of the colours: yellow, green and blue being achieved through an anodisation process to create the vivid colours. On the blades are the words “Grow”, “Your” & “Dreams” written in Super-LumiNova, which looks great at night when spinning. The inside of the bezels is filled with HyCeram, a high-tech liquid ceramic that hardens through heat and is then finished with hand-polishing – a first for the M.A.D.Editions and on each, an aluminium baseplate features stamped textural waves that ripple under the movement with a 3D effect.
The other fun element, as I mentioned earlier, is the rubber strap pairing on each watch. All three of the Sun, Water and Nature editions come with a white rubber strap, which, no matter what model you have, will look good. Also included is a mismatched strap that pairs with each watch. Sun is paired with yellow and green, Nature is paired with purple and red, and Water is paired with a deep blue and a sky blue. All are embossed with a leaf pattern, which echoes Yinka Ilori’s dreamscape and philosophy.
Initial Thoughts
The M.A.D.1S has the advantage over the M.A.D.1 thanks to the slimmer case profile of 15mm, and with the Swiss-made movement inside, giving it a 68-hour power reserve, making it a wearable watch comparatively. If you have wrists that are 16cm or more, you can easily pull one of these off; if you don’t, then maybe rethink it a little. Sam gave his thoughts on the M.A.D.1S last year in his hands-on review, and ended up getting lucky in the raffle and scoring one.
Having one of these new M.A.D.1S pieces on your wrist, how can you not smile? Yes, they’re bright and colourful, bold and make a statement, but that is also the point. The M.A.D.1S is a fun watch, and with this collaboration, M.A.D.Editions has turned the fun dial up to maximum with Yinka Ilori. But, with only 400 pieces available in each colourway, these will find their way to the wrists of a lucky few! Feeling lucky? Enter the raffle via the following link. https://www.mbandf.com/madeditions/madeditions-raffles
References: Three limited editions of 400 pieces each
- ‘Sun’ with yellow rotor, yellow and green strap;
- ‘Nature’ with green rotor, purple and red strap;
- ‘Water’ with blue rotor, dark and light blue strap.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 42mm x 50.5mm lug-to-lug x 15mm thick
- Case Material: Stainless Steel 316L
- Dial: Inverted Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with rotor on top and lateral time display system. Revolving hour ring in aluminium alloy, engraved numbers with Super-LumiNova. Winding rotor in titanium and tungsten, Super-LumiNova highlights.
- Movement: La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement
- Power Reserve: 68 hours
- Water Resistance: 30m (3 bar)
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal on top, main section in mineral glass treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.
- Strap/Bracelet: Each watch is delivered with an interchangeable, mismatched coloured strap and a white strap, both with a stainless steel folding buckle.