Montblanc

mkt33
[PuristS]
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A hidden gem not seen in the display case

While I was at Montblanc’s Madison Ave. Boutique, Kevin (the boutique manager), pulled out a piece held in reserve for a VIP client.   This particular customer wanted a unique watch with a specific edition number to help her husband celebrate a special occasion.  

The unveiling.   The outer box is nicely designed  

The Timewalker box for this edition is no longer made of paper and faux leather.You can tell this is a newer model given the schematic of the Cal. LL100 decorating the top.   It is composed of lacquered wood, ebony in color. Also a nice stainless steel placard on top.

Finally Montblanc’s presentation and packaging is on par with its competitors.  

Once the box is open…. The new Timewalker Twinfly GreyTech was the model chosen by Kevin for his VIP client.  

Seeing and holding the GreyTech is a much different experience than the press release pictures would suggest.

Overall in the most important aspects, this is the exact same watch which was released 2 years ago.  The same case shape and dimensions, the same central chronograph register and flyback complication display on the dial, and the same mechanical movement.   Mostly the changes were cosmetic:a grey colored dial, plating the movement’s bridges with rhodium…the only real main difference is a switch to a titanium metal case.  

From a cynical watch collector’s viewpoint, besides a slight difference in weight and appearance, should be no big achievement.  

However, these changes DO make the GreyTech a very unique version of the Twinfly. Take a look, side by side with the other Twinflys available at the boutique.  

Overall the weight difference between using stainless steel and titanium is hardly noticeable. But it is the casework that makes me a believer in this model.   The case sides are satinized while the lugs are bead blasted to achieve a polished shine. The bezel is matt grey. 

It looks really cool on the wrist with all the various shades of greys, especially the lugs which scintillate in the light.   One of my concerns from looking over the GreyTech’s press release picture was that the date could not be read easily.  I am wrong. There is enough contrast between the black font and the grey datewheel background.  

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by my encounter with this limited edition and it just goes to show that even the tired and cynical watch enthusiast should never discount the smallest changes.  Sometimes these small changes make all the difference in the world. 

Best, Mike