MB&F New Collaboration: M.A.D.Editions x Jean-Charles de Castelbajac

MB&F presents a double-first on the M.A.D.Editions project with the first Limited Edition and first collaboration with an external creator introducing  the M.A.D.1 ‘Time to Love’, limited to 999 pieces, created with legendary French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac – who has infused the M.A.D.1 with his unmistakable style.

 

MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser has been an admirer of the artist's pop designs for many years: “Jean-Charles de Castelbajac represents five decades of creativity. Very early on, he was able to create a unique voice and style, then over the years pivot, reinvent himself and challenge the status quo. Today, at the age of 74, his message of love and life is more than ever an example for the new generation."

 

JCDC has indeed never been a conventional designer, always daring to disturb, disrupt, and promote artistic chaos – he started by making clothes out of recycled materials in the 1970s, being the first to upcycle in the fashion world, before it was even a thing ! JCDC has always had a multidisciplinary approach to his work, connecting different worlds, collaborating with artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethorpe and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He is perhaps best known for his audacious creations like the teddy bear coat, his “poncho for two”, his Barack Obama dresses, and the robes he created for Pope John Paul II.
 

For the M.A.D.1 Time to Love, JCDC worked with his signature colors – red for passion, blue for hope, yellow for human warmth. The colourway is present on a newly-engineered rotor featuring angel wings, where one of the wings is heavier than the other two to optimize spinning. A bright green is also present and featured on the piece's hour disc; the numbers of the hour and minute rings are in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's own handwriting.
 

Other details include a quote from the artist in French on the dial: “Ce trésor rare et précieux, c'est ta vie. Le temps vole de ses ailes blanches. is your life. Time flies with its white wings. You are the guardian of your time”). The crown features an engraving of an angel talking to the moon, a recurring theme in his art creations. Each timepiece comes with two straps – black and white – embroidered with 'Time to Love'.

 

Like with previous M.A.D.Editions, a portion of these M.A.D.1 watches will be reserved for those who have made MB&F possible: our Tribe members (owners of MB&F watches) and our Friends (suppliers) on a first come, first served basis. Half of the production will be totally open to the public, via a raffle giving access to purchasing the M.A.D.1 Time to Love.