Contemporary Aesthetics And Pure Lines: The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection

Press Release

Contemporary Aesthetics And Pure Lines: The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection

These new timepieces feature new refined 40-mm thin cases with new dial aesthetics, bringing technicity and contemporary elegance. For the new models, the polished cases have been completely reworked with slimmer horns to emphasise the patented Exo Tourbillon mechanism and the Perpetual calendar complication.

Furthermore, the distinctive dials have also been redesigned with contemporary aesthetics and pure lines. They come in either 3-Dimensional construction, sapphire crystal or in a skeletonized version that depicts a dazzle-camouflage pattern.

To complete the overall look, these timepieces are fitted with brand-new dark-blue-coloured straps coming from the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence. For utmost performance and precision, these three new models are certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Perpetual Calendar Sapphire

Montblanc is presenting a modern interpretation of the perpetual calendar complication with a smoked sapphire dial and a realistic 3-Dimensional, domed view of the moon from earth. The transparency of the sapphire crystal allows a view on the movement and the functions beneath, bringing a clear technical look to the timepiece. The perpetual calendar indications are featured on transparent counters that have been crafted in a dark-blue colour that matches the flange and the alligator strap. Other details include a white minute track, classic refined sword-shaped hands and rhodium-plated indexes and numerals that have been directly applied on the sapphire.
 

The timepiece is powered by the automatic calibre MB 29.15, featuring the hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year and moonphase. The perpetual calendar indications are easily adjusted by individual correctors on the side of the case.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Perpetual Calendar Sapphire is fitted into a new slim, polished, 40 mm, steel case that measures a mere 9.6 mm in height and features slim horns for utmost comfort, making it a great size for both men and women.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Slim

The new Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Slim is equipped with the Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB 29.24. This slim pioneering calibre features the iconic patented Exo Tourbillon, unique to Montblanc, combined with a quick stop-second mechanism. It incorporates a micro-rotor and allows an uninterrupted view on the movement through a sapphire crystal caseback, in comparison to a standard rotor that always hides half of the movement. The whole construction measures a mere 4.5 mm in height.

The one-minute Exo Tourbillon complication, first introduced in 2010, was developed entirely in-house by the master watchmakers at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. The Exo in the name is derived from the Greek for external or outside and refers to the balance with its 18 screws, which is positioned outside of the tourbillon’s rotating cage. This innovated patented mechanical architecture allows the cage to be smaller in size and free of the weight of the balance, saving more energy than a conventional tourbillon. The fact that the balance is positioned outside of the rotating cage also means that it isn’t affected by the inertia of the cage, therefore improving precision.
 

A new modern semi-hexagonal bridge with flat polished finishing is fixed above the tourbillon’s cage and is adorned with blued screws and surrounded by a contrasting blue minute track with white markers.

Montblanc's tribute to its fine watchmaking heritage carries through to the design of the timepiece with a sophisticated 3-Dimensional dial crafted in two parts. The main dial comes in a slate grey with a vertically-brushed finish, while the blue flange features a white minute track to match the overall design and increase legibility. The hours and minutes are indicated with classic sword-shaped hands, applied indexes and numerals.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Minute Chronograph comes in a new 18-karat white gold, polished, 40 mm case with a height of 8.9 mm and slim horns, further contributing to the refinement of the timepiece.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Slim Openworked

Montblanc unveils a new one-of-a-kind squeletonized timepiece — the Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Slim Openworked — offering a modern expression of the Exo Tourbillon complication in a contrasting dark grey and blue aesthetic. Both sides of the movement and the dial have been skeletonized using a dazzle-camouflage design that gives a trompe l’oeil effect. This new and exclusive way of opening the movement and dial brings a technical and innovative sophistication to the timepiece.

Dazzle-camouflage is a popular motif used today in fashion, although it was originally a design technique used in World War I to camouflage the sides of ships. The bright, cubist-style patterns were designed to confuse the enemy and make it difficult to estimate a ship’s range, speed and direction. The geometric shapes use contrasting colours that interrupt and intersect each other and bring a unique 3-Dimensional aesthetic.
 

The components of the movement mirror this dazzle-camouflage design aesthetic through their skeletonization and different finishings. A closer look reveals wheels which have been rhodium coated and satinated, a barrel that has been skeletonized to reveal the spring, a rhodium-coated micro-rotor with a new finishing and a main plate featuring a black rhodium coating with micro-blasted and sandblasted finishings adorned with blued screws. The new Exo Tourbillon bridge with its semi-hexagonal shape and balance wheel has been coated with rhodium, completing the look with 18 screws, two of which are in gold for regulation purposes. To complete the aesthetic, the bridge has been both polished and mirror polished.

To reveal the beauty of the movement, the sophisticated and technical dial has also been skeletonised according to the design of the movement. It is made of two parts with a dark blue ring surrounding the Exo Tourbillon which indicates the seconds. The rest of the dial features the dazzle-camouflage decoration that gives this timepiece its unique look.

The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon Slim Openworked comes with blued sword-shaped hands and the new blue-colour alligator strap, providing utmost elegance.