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SIHH 2013 - Montblanc TimeWalker World-Time Hemispheres

mkt33
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This year Montblanc showed two new variants of their previously released Worldtimer.  The Worldtimer itself was quite an accomplishment.  This model won First Place in the Category Petite Aiguille at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2011.  Its complication module has a specially designed gearing mechanism which is patent protected. Not only can this device separately control all indicators via one and the same winding-stem, it also disconnects the movement from the wheels of the time-zone and world-time indicators whenever a time-zone correction is made. The movement continues to run accurately while the time zone is being reset.

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Now at SIHH 2013 we see this movement slightly modified and incorporated into the contemporary Timewalker family.  I think the overall dial design is harmonious and is, imho, a huge improvement over its more "classical" predecessor.

Montblanc has released a Northern Hemisphere model (white dial) and its corresponding Southern Hemisphere model (gray dial).

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Both models have fixed rings around their dials marked with the 24 cities in the relevant hemisphere, but the 24-hour discs in the center turn in opposite directions: the disc turns clockwise on the Northern Hemisphere watch, it bears a 24-hour scale labelled anticlockwise; the 24-hour disc on the Southern Hemisphere timepiece turns anticlockwise and bears a 24 hour scale labelled clockwise.  Thus the base movement is the same but complication module is different in the two watches to allow for the opposite rotation of the inner 24 hour disk.

And although Montblanc would like to sell a pair of watches, they have been consumer friendly none  Take a look at the caseback.  It is engraved with a handy reference for cities of the "other" hemisphere!

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A subtle but nice improvement is the brushed finish noted on these new Timewalker models.  Checkout the center links on the Timewalker bracelet and the thin bezel...both these changes provide  needed contrast to the usual high polish case.

Here is a video from Mr. Bethege showcasing this new model

 

Enjoy,

Mike





This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2013-01-23 09:03:27 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2013-01-23 13:20:37

Comments:
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jporos January 24th, 2013-07:34
I've been waiting for this watch... I had been very interested in the movement of the Star World Time GMT Automatic (even though it is not a "true" Worldtimer) but was not really in love with the aesthetics. Now both movement and aesthetics have come together in one watch! I do wish that Mo... 
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mkt33 January 24th, 2013-18:14
I was wondering about the color selection too Perhaps Montblanc's market research is different but I've always thought that darker colored dials were more popular. I like the Southern Hemisphere version too but the cities which are represented on the Northern Hemisphere represent the majority of MB's... 
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SIHH 2013: Montblanc Exotourbillon Chronograph

mkt33
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First shown as a prototype in 2010, the Institut Minerva de Recherch en Haute Horologerie has relaunched the Exotourbillon Chronograph this year. Initially limited to a total of 17 pieces (8 rose gold, 8 white gold, 1 piece unique in platinum) this series was sold out soon after its 2010 launch. See the wonderful report here montblanc.watchprosite.com Now the Exotourbillon movement MB M-16.60 is being delivered again with a subtle resdesign of the dial. Here is the previous 2010 version.


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