amanico
[JLC Moderator]
400999
Mike, the good thing with a World Time is that you don't have to physically travel...
You travel in your head, with such a Watch. A tool for imagination, which turns into a toolwatch when you physically travel.
Ain't that magic?
That is why I love these world time so much. A,d I must say that this one convinced me, with its extra touch of poetry, due to the coloration of the continents depending on the night and day.
Another strong argument is its excellent price pleasure ratio.
Best,
Nicolas
Montblanc SIHH 2015: Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum Comparative Review.
The new Montblanc World Time has a long, very long but poetic name: Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum, and provoked some strong and long discussions, when the first official pictures were posted. I am sorry to say, but the official pictures didn't give justi...
Montblanc. Hits 'sweet spot' with Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum
From this selection of world timer shortlisted, the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum hits the sweet spot of quality features vs price. That was their changeover mission statement 2 years ago and they have achieved it. People used to say to me, "if...
Which is very smart is that this Montblanc can be seen as a WT Tool Watch.
I agree with you on that analyzis. No fear, just pleasure. Some will regret the lack of second hand, some won't. The addition of poetry, with this special night and day indicator below the main dial is top, too. Yes, I think it is a smart offer from Montb...
I don't see a problem with the Vacheron ...
"Cloning", after all we have only one Earth, but I really dislike (I know, I have OCD) the lack of a running seconds, like the Vacheron. If the MB had a running seconds, I could be on the line to get this one. Cheers, Nilo
great analysis Nicolas
I also consider this Montblanc "WT" as a tool "WT" and will consider to get one but with bracelet. Here are photos to illustrate my comment: The metal bracelet is very comfortable, for my small wrist. Well done Montblanc ;-))) BRs Patrickh ...
I didn't know it came on a bracelet...
that adds a nice touch for travelling to humid climates. -Dean
Your second picture shows something which is very interesting, and...
Which the press files pictures don't show: the depth of the dial. Which I find very interesting and well made. As for the bracelet, I don't share your love for it. I find it doesn't make the case looking more appealing. It enhances the thickness of the ca...
Thanks Nicolas. I will consider a customised BLUE strap
to switch some times. Here is the 2 sub-plates taken in photo at SIHH with Moscow corrected at GMT +3 Hope you enjoy these details. BRs Patrickh ...
I didn't have the time to take these pictures. Quite happy that you did it!
It helps us to better understand how it works. Best, Nicolas
These photographs are most helpful. The original
release photographs looked they were cut out of a catalog and then rephotographed--FLAT. These photographs give a very three dimensional feel and the finish is quite nice, as Nicholas has shown too. I must say that this article, comments and the great Pho...
Next comparison ;-) a luminova underplate for a Panerai WT
in the Richemont planet. A 300 meters waterproof WT. For the Next SIHH??? Funny no, Patrickh
What an impressive cover for this watch :)
You're definitely right, a watch doesn't Need to cost a kidney to be interesting. The Tissot in steel is a great offer, and slim proportion is a quality compared to the others (VC and Montblanc especially). Only Patek has also good proportions. Now the lu...
the Montblanc rotor has Geneva Stripes ;-))
bad quality photo sorry. Not enough time to clean the back cover plastic hope it helps, Patrickh ...
Thanks for your very interesting feedback, François.
Some points: 1/ As for the lugs and case thickness, in the Duometre, the movement is pretty high. So it would be difficult to reduce the height. Maybe they can save one millimeter? I don't think they can go farther, here. For the Montblanc, they could go ...
Love the lack of date and love the dial, but no running seconds kills it for me.....
Really well done by MB on this one. Another world-timer to throw into the mix, IMHO, is the Frederique Constant. Not only is it a looker and functional, but also has a manufacture movement and a price which I believe may be even lower than MB's. If it did...
Frederique Constant has a date which covers some cities
to read time zone. Not preferred for me. photo credited Hodinkee site BRs Patrickh ...
Yes, completely agree with you....
I would really like the FC quite a bit if they did away with the date altogether. In fact, would be pretty close to the perfect "budget" world timer. But, I think the date would ultimately bother me too much..... Darren
On a normal dial, it would be ok, but in a world time dial, this date is an issue.
Not a bad looking Watch, indeed! Best, Nicolas
I didn't include the FC because I didn't know this one!
As for the second hand, I don't know, honestly. I was wondering if I liked second hand on the VC, and I don't have a firm opinion on that. I find that, WITHOUT, you gain in purity, maybe. AND since a world time is not dedicated to precision but to travels...
When I Hear The Term "Lambert Conic Map Projection", I Think...
... Wow, that guy Jerome sure is a busy bee, ain't he... Great post, Sir Nicolas. Very informative and straight to the point. Fact of the matter is that the Montblanc HSOT is a beauty and in the scheme of pricey world-timer pieces, this one is quite affor...
I couldn't resist about the Lambert projection map. ;)
As for the Duometre UTT, it doesn't play in the same category because of: - Its price. - Its complication: One of te finest, if not THE finest Travel Time on the current market. ( Travel Time is not World Time, by the way ). - Its manual movement. When al...
Three Points That Are Totally...
... SPOT ON! Now if we expand the category to include travel watches in general, the UTT wins hands down! Nothing like it anywhere! - Scott
The Parmigiani Kalpa Hemispheres is not bad,either.
But its dial and movement cannot compete with the JLC Duometre UTT... Which is, for me, THE king of the category. On that we totally agree. Best, Scott. Nicolas.
Fantastic review my friend, with lots of details
and comparisons! I love reading this review! Thanks alot Nico! I like this watch alot since I saw the press release. Your live pics during SIHH confirmed my liking for the looks of the watch, especially the dial. I am very much looking forward to seeing i...
I bet several of us will own it... Even guys who already own a WT.
I am impatient to read your feelings once you see it! Best, Nicolas
Nicolas.....
.....this is a superb review of not just the Montblanc but world timers generally. I am very seriously considering adding a world timer and your post here has come at a very opportune moment for me. I have to say, I have found myself looking at the Orbis ...
I am thinking about building a small collection of WTs.
And I seriously think about getting my first Montblanc... With this Orbis Terrarum, which convinced me a lot, I must say. So, will be be two? ;) Best, Nicolas
Very nice review and thoughts......
Thank you Nicolas, this is indeed a very interesting World Time watch. I love the way the continents/countries become darker as the night sets in. Very nice detail. I agree about the hands too but, unlike you, I find the outer minute ring pleasant, it doe...
Don't get me wrong about Moscow.
It is a mandatory name for a WT, but they have to stick with their time zone, if not, your WT may not be exact. And since they are changing their mind quite often lastly... I wouldn't like to get an inexact world timer. Best, Amigo. Nicolas
Ahaha! Tempora Mutantur.............
...atque Tempus Fugit! ...it all adds to the poesy don't you think? Cheers l'ami Francois
That was a great comparative review
It gives me a lot to think about. I don't have a Worldtimer in my collection amd I don't travel often enough to justify something with that specific complication...normally I just settle for a GMT. I recently just missed out on the Tissot. I was sore abou...
Mike, the good thing with a World Time is that you don't have to physically travel...
You travel in your head, with such a Watch. A tool for imagination, which turns into a toolwatch when you physically travel. Ain't that magic? That is why I love these world time so much. A,d I must say that this one convinced me, with its extra touch of ...
and useful when you have to call friends or colleagues all over the world
without disturbing them during their off working time or sleep ;-)). Patrickh
the more i look at the Orbis Terrarum .......
.......the more that I feel that I will have to buy one. Like you, Nicolas, I have a small but growing world time collection. This watch would be my first Montblanc, but I have to say, I am now very seriously considering it. I have a very short list of mo...
Yes, you cannot see it as a competitor against Patek.
But a nice complement. And to tell you all, I am close to getting one. Yes, it will be my first Montblanc, but hey, I am convinced. And I have the feeling we'll ont be the olny ones to get it! Best, Joe. Nicolas
Having read your great revieiw, & discussions here, the more I'm thinking about that Montblanc Orbis Terrarum - it has started to fight a sort of..
.. little war against an also quite important Vintage Rolex Ref., (but also one or two others from the Duomètre family) whichnplay in pretty the same price league. Damn, lots of choices.. Maybe I\'ll have to consult Dr Mamadu.. Best, my friend
Just when I think I've got every watch I "need" along comes another
one that appeals to me. Thanks for the great review. maybe I could silkscreen print a Lambert projection onto all the white space on this dial! (And add a minute ring for you Nicolas) Cazalea ...
I think this Montblanc will be a hit
Thanks NIcolas for such a thorough review of the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum. Very nice in-depth review and comparison to the usual suspects. I agree with you at the positive points. Very charming watch and I think it will be a hit for watch ...
Nicholas, your review is excellent. I love the conclusion - where
you say refer to this as the tool watch of Worldtimers and that watches do not have to be expensive to be interesting. Excellent review. I am tempted to have this piece.
Thanks for your kind words, kpk...
Yes, you should consider it. First, have a look on this one in the real... Then, you will know! Best, Nicolas
A funny idea came to my mind when looking at the dial for the 100th time. ;)
To remove and to locate the minute ring, and to put the Montblanc name instead of London... That would have been very smart! Best, Nicolas
Wow !.. A very comprehensive & helpful review.. Splendid pictorial with superb pics !.. Will be looking forward to see it, in the intermediate future, hopefully.. Have just 1 little Q:
- What about the prize range for the ss-Version, which I find a very positive offer ? Thx again for this in-depth SSIH- based review, a great read, indeed ! My Best, hs
Truly hits a sweet spot in the market and me personally.
I'm so pleased to read this review and I'm so pleased that Montblanc has chosen to make this watch! This is a great piece! And one of the stars of SIHH 2015!
Agreed, Patrick. I would not say it is THE winner, but one of the very good offer...
From this year, and pretty convincing! A Community Watch? Best, Nicolas
Definitely one of the stars of the show...
So far, the stars of the SIHH and Baselworld shows have been this Montblanc watch and the offerings at MB&F. And I'm so pleased that the Montblanc watch was made at an accessible price point for all. The movement is technically modular movement, but i...
Agreed on all points. I have the strong feeling that it will be a popular watch.
And yes a tad thinner would have been even better, but not a no go for me. Best, Nicolas
Well... You already have a WorldTime watch...
In fact, you have my favorite World Time watch, the 5110P/5130P. Which are both beautifully thin.