M.A.D.Editions Launches M.A.D. 3: A Budget Homage to Vincent Calabrese’s Baladin

Key points

• The M.A.D. 3 is the third unique creation from M.A.D.Editions, the budget sub-brand of MB&F, priced at CHF 2,900 (approx. $3,575).
• The design is a modern reinterpretation of Vincent Calabrese’s Baladin watch, featuring a wandering jump-hour complication where the hour rotates slowly rather than jumping instantly.
• The movement is based on the La Joux-Perret G111, modified by MB&F to handle the complication's energy demands, offering a 55-hour power reserve and 28,800 vph frequency.
• The case measures 40mm in diameter, 12.7mm thick, and 43.7mm lug-to-lug, featuring floating lugs and a stepped bezel designed by Eric Giroud.
• Two versions exist: a blue dial for the public raffle and a pink dial reserved for 'Tribe' members and friends of the brand.
• The raffle for the public version runs from September 1 to September 7, 2026, with approximately 1,500 units available.

Background

M.A.D.Editions was founded in 2021 by Max Büsser to offer avant-garde watch designs at accessible prices, well below the six-figure cost of main MB&F models. The brand previously released the M.A.D. 1 (and its slimmer M.A.D. 1 S) and the M.A.D. 2, each featuring distinct designs from different collaborators. The M.A.D. 3 continues this pattern of varying design languages, moving away from the 'spaceship' aesthetic of the first model and the turntable-inspired look of the second.

How outlets are covering it

Gear Patrol highlights the M.A.D. 3 as a dynamic response to the industry-wide trend of jump-hour complications, praising its constant motion and lumed elements. Hodinkee notes that while the design is less original than previous M.A.D. models, it is more wearable and conventional, potentially broadening the brand's appeal. Monochrome Watches emphasizes the technical challenge of adapting Calabrese’s artisanal Baladin mechanism for larger-scale production, noting the reworking of the base movement for stability. Fratello Watches describes the watch as a 'deceivingly modest' yet impressive release that stands out for its creative collaboration and refined finish, calling it a highlight of the year’s Geneva Watch Days.

Why it matters

The M.A.D. 3 demonstrates how high-end independent watchmaking concepts can be adapted for mass-market affordability without sacrificing mechanical complexity. By bringing Vincent Calabrese’s legacy complication into a sub-$4,000 price point, M.A.D.Editions expands access to avant-garde horology, challenging the notion that such innovations are exclusive to ultra-luxury segments. The raffle model also continues the brand’s strategy of generating high demand and exclusivity for budget-friendly designs.

What to watch

The public raffle for the blue-dialed M.A.D. 3 closes on September 7, 2026. Winners will be notified to purchase the watch at CHF 2,900. The pink-dialed version remains exclusive to M.A.D.Editions insiders. Future releases may continue the pattern of collaborating with different independent designers, potentially introducing new complications or design languages at similar price points.