The new Montblanc TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Chronograph Limited Edition 100 combines two of the most significant chronometric complications: Montblanc’s exclusive in-house patented one-minute ExoTourbillon with a quick stop-second mechanism and a monopusher chronograph with sectorial scales. These two innovative functions, combined with a sporty black aesthetic and a mix of innovative materials, result in a dynamic new limited edition that honours the spirit of motor racing.
The one-minute ExoTourbillon complication was developed entirely in-house by the master watchmakers at the Montblanc Manufacture. The Exo in the name is derived from the Greek for “external” or “outside” and refers to the screw balance, which is positioned outside of the tourbillon’s rotating cage. This original 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 and isochronism.
The in-house developed MB R230 chronograph calibre combines all the elements of a traditional chronograph with a contemporary high-performance construction: monopusher with column wheel, efficient and precise vertical coupling, automatic winding and two barrels.
A particularly useful feature of this movement is its quick stop-second mechanism, which directly halts the screw balance by means of a tiny spring, and allows the user to set the seconds precisely. The quick stop-second mechanism instantly stops the balance from rotating, instead of halting the tourbillon cage, which can cause the balance to continue swinging and upset the precision. A red arrow hand is displayed on the tourbillon cage for an exact setting of the seconds. A practical hour setting also allows the user to advance the time in hourly increments in the second position of the crown forwards and backwards thus ensuring quick and uncomplicated time setting. Repositioning the hour-hand has no effect whatsoever on the minute- and second-hand, so the precise time is always preserved. This function is linked to the date, making setting the timepiece while travelling a breeze.
For the very first time, the Manufacture movement MB R230 of the TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Limited Edition 100 has been completely darkened with an All-Black coating and is on full display through the timepiece’s titanium caseback.
The timepiece’s 44 mm three-part case, manufactured out of a black DLC titanium, features a number of vintage motoring inspired details. Semi-skeletonized horns with architectural carved flanks have been inspired by the air inlets in racing cars and have been decorated with a vertical satinated finish; the bezel and case back feature a circular satinated finish; and the black DLC titanium crown includes knurling on the side that is reminiscent of vintage car radiator caps and provides superior gripping.
The dial, inspired from the dashboards of vintage cars, offers an easy reading from day to night, since the Arabic numerals, indexes, hour and minute hands and the hour ring have been enhanced with luminescent Super-LumiNova®.
All 100 pieces in this limited edition are water-resistant to 30 metres and have been rigorously tested by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500 that simulates real-life situations for 500 hours.
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