At the heart of Geneva, Switzerland lies a 20th-century stone house that has been transformed into a creative haven for eccentric entrepreneur Maximilian Büsser. The former residence of Swiss industrialists now serves as the "M.A.D. House" – a workshop where Büsser and his team of designers and watchmakers craft some of the most unconventional timepieces in the industry.
Büsser, a self-proclaimed "mad scientist," is driven by an insatiable passion for watchmaking that borders on obsession. His creations are more than just mere clocks; they're intricate works of art that blur the lines between function and aesthetics. As he notes, "What we create has to be reliable for decades, hundreds of years... there is a responsibility."
One of Büsser's most iconic designs is the HM10 Bulldog, a watch with a bulbous glass case and four mechanical legs that can open like jaws to reveal its inner workings. This avant-garde timepiece is just one example of the innovative creations that emerge from the M.A.D. House.
Inside this workshop, artisans hunch over workbenches as they assemble near-microscopic components that make up a watch. The precision and skill required for this craft are staggering, with some parts measuring as small as a human hair or as tiny as poppy seeds. Watchmakers wear high-magnification monocles to navigate these minuscule pieces.
For Büsser, the balance wheel is a fetish – a crucial component that he features prominently in many of his designs. In traditional watches, this mechanism is hidden from view, but not for Büsser. He showcases his creations with an openness and transparency that invites viewers to appreciate the intricate mechanics beneath the surface.
Büsser's most recent obsession is post-modernist architecture of the 1960s, which has influenced his latest creation – the HM11 Architect. This watch resembles a miniature house, complete with four "rooms" or watch faces pointing outward. One face displays hours and minutes, while another serves as a mechanical thermometer. By rotating the entire watch on its wristband, the piece can be powered up.
For Büsser, the true value of his watches lies not in their monetary worth but in the connection they forge between creator and observer. He resists the notion that timepieces are mere commodities to be bought and sold for profit. Instead, he envisions a more intimate relationship – one where buyers appreciate each watch as a work of art, crafted by skilled artisans who pour their passion into every detail.
As Büsser aptly puts it, "The reason you should buy a beautiful piece of watchmaking is not because it's going to make money... but those dozens of incredible human beings who've worked on that incredible piece of watchmaking."
Büsser, a self-proclaimed "mad scientist," is driven by an insatiable passion for watchmaking that borders on obsession. His creations are more than just mere clocks; they're intricate works of art that blur the lines between function and aesthetics. As he notes, "What we create has to be reliable for decades, hundreds of years... there is a responsibility."
One of Büsser's most iconic designs is the HM10 Bulldog, a watch with a bulbous glass case and four mechanical legs that can open like jaws to reveal its inner workings. This avant-garde timepiece is just one example of the innovative creations that emerge from the M.A.D. House.
Inside this workshop, artisans hunch over workbenches as they assemble near-microscopic components that make up a watch. The precision and skill required for this craft are staggering, with some parts measuring as small as a human hair or as tiny as poppy seeds. Watchmakers wear high-magnification monocles to navigate these minuscule pieces.
For Büsser, the balance wheel is a fetish – a crucial component that he features prominently in many of his designs. In traditional watches, this mechanism is hidden from view, but not for Büsser. He showcases his creations with an openness and transparency that invites viewers to appreciate the intricate mechanics beneath the surface.
Büsser's most recent obsession is post-modernist architecture of the 1960s, which has influenced his latest creation – the HM11 Architect. This watch resembles a miniature house, complete with four "rooms" or watch faces pointing outward. One face displays hours and minutes, while another serves as a mechanical thermometer. By rotating the entire watch on its wristband, the piece can be powered up.
For Büsser, the true value of his watches lies not in their monetary worth but in the connection they forge between creator and observer. He resists the notion that timepieces are mere commodities to be bought and sold for profit. Instead, he envisions a more intimate relationship – one where buyers appreciate each watch as a work of art, crafted by skilled artisans who pour their passion into every detail.
As Büsser aptly puts it, "The reason you should buy a beautiful piece of watchmaking is not because it's going to make money... but those dozens of incredible human beings who've worked on that incredible piece of watchmaking."
. I mean, who else would create a watch that looks like a house? It's crazy how much thought he put into it - like, four "rooms" or faces just to show off his design skills. And the fact that you can turn it on its wristband and have it power up is just mind-blowing 
. I love how he says that watches are works of art, not just something you buy and collect... that's so true for me too 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that someone can make a career out of watching tiny pieces fit together. Like, what even is a "human hair" in watchmaking? 
I need some solid sources on this one before I can fully appreciate Büsser's M.A.D. House creations. How exactly does he manage to get these miniature parts to work seamlessly? Are we talking nanotechnology or something? 
And what's up with the "artistic" approach to watchmaking? Is it really necessary for a timepiece to be a masterpiece of design just because someone says so? 
it's like something out of a sci-fi movie. And he's all about transparency and showcasing the inner workings, that's so cool 
, you can appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
, it's like buying a piece of art, not just a timepiece. The way he talks about the importance of each watch being a work of art is so inspiring 
, maybe we need more people like him in the watch-making world? 
and i love how busser says his watches arent just about money but about the people behind them, like, hello yes please we need more creators who care about their craft 
And don't even get me started on how much money people will shell out for one of these fancy watches – it's like, come on! 
. Like, is that really what we want to be paying for – a watch with some fancy features or a piece of art on our wrist? 
. It's almost like a science experiment gone right 
. But hey, if he wants to charge top dollar for these... "masterpieces" and claim it's not about the money, but about connecting with the creator and observer, I'm good 
I mean, can you even imagine having a workshop in your old house? It's like, totally trippy! M.A.D. House is more than just a place where people make watches, it's an art studio, you know? The way Büsser and his team are all about creating these crazy, beautiful timepieces that are both functional and visually stunning... it's just genius 
The fact that he's inspired by 60s architecture and created this miniature house watch is, like, totally mind-blowing 
.
. And I'm totally down with his philosophy on watches being art pieces, not just commodities 
. Keep being a rebel, Maximilian! 
. like, who needs traditional timepieces when you can have a mechanical thermometer watch or one that opens up to show its inner workings? 
the thing about maxwell buesser is he's like totally passionate about watchmaking and stuff, right? i mean, his workshop, the mad house, is literally a creative haven where he and his team make these crazy timepieces. it's not just about making clocks, but art that also works, you know? 
! And have u seen the HM11 Architect? It's like a mini house on your wrist 
i mean can you imagine having a workshop full of people making tiny mechanical legs for watches? it's like they're from another planet or something! and max büsser's passion for watchmaking is crazy... he's all about transparency, too, showing off the inner workings of his clocks. it's like he wants us to appreciate the craftsmanship and not just see them as fancy timepieces