Montblanc

I was captivated by this model which SJX saw at SIHH2009.

 

 

 

I thought it was a regular production model but unfortunately it is a limited edition of 10 (yes ten, I didn't leave out any zeros) created for the country of Dubai.

It is 43mm in diameter and uses the same Valjoux 7750 as the Timewalker reviewed a few months ago  click here   but it has a specially engraved rotor with the words "Dubai xx/10".

I've only recently began to enjoy watches employing a combination of rose gold and another material.  I think this timewalker with the ceramic bezel and crown is well done. 

Anyone here have a Timewalker they use frequently? 

Enjoy,

Mike

...always a successful combination to me.  The ceramic bezel adds an extra level of flair to this tried-and-true pairing IMO.  The interplay of materials is very attractive.  I really want to like this watch more.  I can't quite put my finger on which components detract from the overall experience for me.  I don't dislike the watch, but the more I look at it the less enamored I am.  There is a slightly stunted or stumpy effect to the sub-dial hands that I don't care for, but it's certainly not off-putting enough to completely write this model off.

Thanks for sharing this watch with us, Mike.  I'm glad I got an opportunity to see photos of it, considering there are only 10 in the world!

Cheers,
Daos 

It is often difficult to read the chronograph display when large  time telling hands are blocking their view.

I enjoy the hollowed out lug design and even the little montblanc screw heads.

Thanks for your comments Daos,

Best, Mike

 

I don't think there's a rose gold bracelet for the TimeWalker available yet (someone please correct me if there is) but the stainless steel TimeWalker bracelet is pretty amazing IMO.  I like how the center links of the bracelet are in ceramic because the center pieces are usually the sections of the bracelet which receive the most amount of tear and wear from scratches.

Bracelet isn't overwhelming in weight since the metal links are hollow

Cheers,
Anthony

inside that I find interesting.

I don't have anything with ceramic yet.  I figured that I'm pretty cautious with my watches that the small superficial scratches on the case wouldn't worry me.   I've never thought about the wear and tear on the bracelet though...

 

Cheers, Mike

a Panerai with a bracelet, and the center links would get the vast majority of scuffs.  After a year's worth of daily wear, look at the bracelet :P

Cheers,
Anthony

so that is a great picture.  I guess ceramic would come in handy.

Thanks, Mike

even when working out lifting free weights so it would get a lot of abuse from rubbing against metal from plates, dumbbells, etc.  What's even more funny is I wore my ex-Journe Tourbillon working out sometimes as well :P

Cheers,
Anthony

performance of the  FPJ tourbillon and positional variation while lifting weights

Cheers, Mike

No message body

I have the model reviewed with the steel and ceramic bracelet. I love it and it's definitely more of an eye catcher than I thought it would be.  I understand where some of the critics of the design are coming from, but on the wrist, a glance at the watch shows those broad hands clearly telling the time, and that's why I wear it.  As noted in the review and as you can see in my pic below, the low reflective numerals will sometimes reflect black, becoming unreadable, but the hands stay visible.  The chrono function is not something I actually use.  I just like the way the subdials balance the look of the face.  For accurate timing, and to set my mechanical watches, I use my G-shock solar atomic Riseman MIIW.  The face has a pleasant soft glow to it and the overall look goes well with either a suit or vintage t-shirt and jeans.  It was between this and a Rolex Submariner for my everyday workhorse.  Everyone has a Rolex, but this ceramic Mont Blanc is less common.  At this price range, finding some level of exclusivity is appealing to me.  I hope you like the picture, Anthony's are excellent!

Hello Bruce!

Nice graduation present,  did you just graduate?  If so then Congrats!

IMHO, your MontBlanc TimeWalker ceramic's best feature is the side cutout design on the lugs.  The ceramic itself is extremely durable and has a nice dark shade of black/grey to it.

Here's pics of us trying to expose it to the extreme and harsh conditions of the Dubai desert.  The grains of sand are very fine and thus very abrasive. No matter what we did, the coating held up without a problem.

-MW

I will be defending my Ph.D. thesis this summer (anyone looking for a hard working molecular biologist with a love of business?) but my fiance bought me the Timewalker a few months ago while the Canadian dollar was at par with the USD.  The cutout lugs are definitely a nice touch. Montblanc seems to include something unique in each model, although I can't agree with some of thier new 'blinged out' designs. 

I can also provide an example of how durable the ceramic really is.  I was wearing the watch with a suit and french cuffs one night.  When I went to put my top coat on the french cuff hit one side of the watch's catch and my fingers the other as i tried to hold on to my jacket and prevent it from riding up my arm with the coat. I shook my hands to flick my watch back down to the wrist and it flew off of my wrist and on to the ceramic tile.  It sounded like a hammer hit the tile, but a close inspection showed barely a scratch on the bezel. 

I've been looking for my next watch since I received the Timewalker.  Thanks to everyone who participates in the forums and makes them so enjoyable. 

Thanks for giving us a hands on experience with how durable the ceramic bezel is, and glad to hear that your TimeWalker survived the fall from your wrist down to the floor.  When one my watches fell from my wrist to the floor, the dial was cracked and the movement broken!  The automatic rotor was stuck and wouldn't move at all :P

Are you looking at another Montblanc as your next watch?  Or a watch from any brand that captures your eye?

Cheers,
Anthony

absorption.  You are very lucky.

I've seen pictures of ceramic lugs cracked off after a well placed but unintentional strike against a wall!

Cheers, Mike

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2009-04-14 17:11:51

for my next piece Anthony, and although I am leaning toward another brand just for the sake of diversity, the Minerva made watches are compelling yet out of reach for now. 

As for the ceramic bezel surviving being thrown to the ground, apparently there are many different types of high-tech ceramic.  Toyota Motor Co. even developed a high-tech ceramic combustion engine many years ago because the material could withstand ultra-high temperatures as well as the stresses inherent in a combustion engine.  I am lucky that Montblanc chose a sturdy ceramic so the bezel didn't end up like the lugs Mike saw, and very lucky the movement didn't end up like Anthony's!

Mike; Thanks for your comments.  She definitely spoils me.  I'll have to check the Timewalker's accuracy against the atomic clock but I'm afraid it won't be that great!  I'll let you know if its still up to COSC standards after the fall.  I'm also a fan of a matching date disc color.  I find it interesting how the date window on this model is cut in two steps.  It provides a nice transition from the ceramic face to the composite date disc. 

You are a lucky man with a very generous Fiancee

A pet peeve of mine is the background color of the date disk not being the same as the dial.  It is a very simple cosmetic detail which I think adds balance to the overall look.  I'm glad that the designers at MB thought about this.

How is the Timewalker's accuracy when you set it to your reference piece?

Thanks for taking time away from working on your thesis defense and welcome to the club,

Best,

Mike