Complications
Mkt33 introduces the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Limited Edition 60, a flagship piece from SIHH 2015. This article delves into the watch's intricate dial, unique complications, and design elements inspired by Vasco da Gama's historic voyage.
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Limited Edition 60
This version of the ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph is the flagship of the Vasco da Gama Limited Editions. Each of the 60 chronographs in this strictly limited edition boasts several important artisanal refinement.
Montblanc’s ticking flagship is naturally affiliated with Vasco da Gama’s floating flagship, the São Gabriel. The pane of sapphire crystal in the case back is adorned with a sketch of the historic sailing vessel, as is the signature of the intrepid discoverer and seafarer. The series is limited to 60 watches in reference to the 60-man crew of the São Gabriel.
The sophisticated dial with different levels and refined finishes reflects the two complications of the timepiece.
The upper part embellished with a slice of aventurine, dyed dark blue, catches the eye on the dial, where numerous small dots emulate the starry night sky in reference to the night sky of the southern hemisphere that guided Vasco da Gama on his voyage. A diamond in the patented cut in the shape of the Montblanc emblem sparkles at 12 o’clock. A wave-shaped guilloché, designed in flinqué style and coated with blue paint, in the centrally positioned hand-type date display refers to the nocturlabium (star clock), which was one of the navigational instruments aboard the São Gabriel.
The dial’s lower level is satin-finished and unveils the intricate construction of the ExoTourbillon at 6 o’clock.
This exceptional timepiece is available in a 44-mm white gold case
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco Da Gama Limited Edition 60
Ident.: 112649
Movement: Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB R230
Type of movement: Mechanical movement with double barrel, automatic winding mechanism, one-minute patented ExoTourbillon with stop-second mechanism
Chronograph: Monopusher with column-wheel and vertical coupling
Dimensions: Diameter=33.7 mm; height=8.65 mm
No. of components: 296
No. of rubies: 44
Power reserve: Approx. 50 hours
Balance: Screw balance, diameter=9.7 mm; moment of inertia=12 mgcm2
Frequency: 21,600 A/h (3 Hz)
Hairspring: Flat
Plate: Rhodium plating and circular graining
Bridges: Rhodium plating and côtes de Genève
Gear-train: Special tooth profile improves the efficiency of the power transmission
Displays (Watch): Off-centre hours and minutes. Date on an off-centre subdial. Patented ExoTourbillon at 6 o’clock (one revolution per minute to indicate the seconds) with a rhodium-plated tourbillon bridge
Display (Chrono): 60 elapsed seconds and 30 elapsed minutes counters with double indication hands and corresponding sectorial scales
Special features: Travel function with rapid reset of hour-hand and date display either forward or backward. Tourbillon can be stopped by directly halting the balance wheel
Habillage
Case :18 K white gold, polished case with satin-finished interhorns, concave-shaped bezel for scratch protection
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on both surfaces
Back: Screwed 18 K white gold back with inset pane of sapphire crystal with Vasco da Gama’s flagship, the São Gabriel
Dimensions: Diameter=44 mm; height=14.79 mm
Watertightness: 3 bar
Crown: 18 K white gold with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Push-piece: Monopusher at "8 o’clock"
Dial: Upper part made of aventurine depicts the sky at night with the patented Montblanc diamond at "12 o’clock"and vertical satin-finished on the lower part. Rhodium-plated sword-shaped hour-hand and minute-hand, date shown by a hand with a little red crescent at its tip on a blued guilloché flinqué wave pattern decoration on off-centre dial, chronograph with two counters with silver "filets" (one counter for 60 elapsed seconds at "8 o’clock" and a second counter for 30 elapsed minutes at "4 o’clock") with double indication hands and corresponding sectorial scales 14
Wristband: Black alligator-skin strap crafted at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence with 18 K white gold pin buckle
Limited Edition 60
Certified by the Montblanc Performance Test 500
Price 45’000 euros
The Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Limited Edition 60, reference 112649, is a flagship model within the Vasco da Gama collection, distinguished by its ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph complication. This strictly limited edition of 60 pieces features several artisanal refinements, including a dial with multiple levels and finishes. The upper dial is crafted from aventurine, dyed dark blue, to evoke a starry night sky, referencing the southern hemisphere navigation of Vasco da Gama. A Montblanc emblem-shaped diamond is set at 12 o'clock.
The watch features a sapphire crystal case back adorned with a sketch of the S o Gabriel, Vasco da Gama's ship, and his signature. The central hand-type date display incorporates a wave-shaped guilloché in flinqué style, coated with blue paint, referencing a nocturlabium. The lower dial level is satin-finished, providing a view of the intricate ExoTourbillon at 6 o'clock. The limitation of 60 pieces directly refers to the 60-man crew of the S o Gabriel.
This reference appeals to collectors interested in high-complication timepieces with a strong historical narrative and artisanal decoration. Its limited production and specific thematic elements, such as the aventurine dial and case back engraving, position it as a significant piece within Montblanc's Heritage Chronométrie collection, particularly for those appreciating astronomical and navigational inspirations in watchmaking.
Not sure about the printed ship on the rear caseback. I feel it cheapens the watch IMO since the price is 45'000 Euros. Beautiful use of the aventurine dial for the stary hight sky. - AT
At this price seems like a steal! I like the blue dial but need to check it in the metal. Alas at 44m, my wrist is too small for this. Great effort from Montblanc for a more affordable Exo Tourbillion! Great to see a patent developed by Montblanc Villeret implemented in a LeLocle Montblanc manufactured movement at a more accessible price Cheers Robin
Aventurine always look better in the metal than in simulated pictures ( a lesson I learned when I looked at Jaquet Droz dials) But the date display looks awkward here IMHO, the tourbillon bridge I wish was more sensual, and why the design on the sapphire back? But the adoption of the Exotourbillon theory is cool. I like the way "research" at Minerva is finally filtering down. Cheers, Mike
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