Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Vasco da Gama Part Three

Oct 26, 2015,17:46 PM
 

In this final part of my series on the Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Vasco da Gama special edition collection, I will focus on two watches with an in-house manufacture movement and complication. 


Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time Vasco da Gama

Let us first look at the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time Vasco da Gama. This is the limited edition variant of the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time. I wrote an on-wrist review of the regular edition of this watch previously. You can read the review here:

www.watchprosite.com


 



In this limited edition Vasco da Gama version, the same dual time calibre MB 29.19 is used. The calibre is based on a Sellita movement with an added in-house developed Dual Time complication. 





Personally, I find this strategy of in-house complication very interesting and effective from Montblanc. Other watch brands either try to make as many watches as possible in their catalogue have an in-house manufacture calibers or seal deals with 3rd party movement makers if they want to be more affordable “luxury” brands; as they move away from the Swatch group’s supply of movements.

 

I have expressed this view before. Whilst Montblanc has ambitions to bring as much developmental competence in-house, leveraging on their manufacture capabilities from Le Locle and Villeret, the maison also wants to roll out new complications (at competitive prices) quickly and hence the introduction of in-house complications, which uses an external movement base but having the complication fully conceived and developed in-house. The popular Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum with the in-house Worldtime module is an excellent example and so is this Heritage Chronometrie Dual Time with an in-house Dual Time module.

 

In my previous wrist review of the regular edition of this watch, I experienced firsthand, many practical aspects of this Dual Time complication from Montblanc, especially for someone like me who works with global teams and travel often for business. Here is a quick recap of two of my major findings about the practical aspects of that watch (which also apply to this Vasco da Gama version with the same functions).

 

Firstly, the watch is very legible. At a glance, I can see the local time, home time, as well as the day-night indication of my home time (in the sub-dial below 12 o’clock, which in this limited edition version has the Vasco da Gama NightSky).

 

Secondly, when travelling, we only need to modify the local time and we don‘t lose the home time’s time keeping accuracy via a quick adjustment of the hour by the crown, with the movement still running. The same applies to summer / winter adjustment as we approach the day-light saving season in many parts of the world.





The Limited Edition Vasco da Gama version has some enhancements over the regular version. The small seconds display at 6 o’clock has a slightly cambered shape featuring a miniature map of the world, which gives it a three-dimensional effect. For a frequent business traveler like me, nothing beats details on a watch dial which I can admire during long haul flights so this is a nice detail to appreciate.




In addition, this limited edition version has a special 24 Hours Home Time display featuring the NightSky with the Southern Cross as seen by Vasco da Gama in 1497. This is seen on other Vasco da Gama special editions as a hallmark of the special collection.





Similar to other watches in the Heritage Chronometrie series, the watch has a refined polished case, curved horns, applied indexes, twelve prominent Arabic applied numeral, white silvery dial with sunray finishing and red gold plated sword hands with facets.

 

This Vasco da Gama version is limited to 238 pieces, as an allusion to the “Cape Point Peak” lighthouse, which was built at precisely 238 meters above sea level at the Cape of Good Hope

 

Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph

 The next watch to introduce is the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama edition, now with an even more exclusive Diamonds edition.

In this watch, Montblanc has combined two of the most significant chronometric complications, specifically Montblanc’s Monopusher Chronograph with a double barrel (found in Montblanc’s Nicolas Rieussec collection), as well as a patented ExoTourbillon with Stop Second.






I shared some technical details on this new calibre, MB R230 for Montblanc’s ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph before. [CLICK on following URL link to read]:

www.watchprosite.com

It is interesting to compare Montblanc’s patented ExoTourbillon with traditional Tourbillons. As explained by the watchmakers at Montblanc Villeret, when compared to a traditional tourbillon construction, the ExoTourbillon is able to save approximately 30% energy and at the same time increase precision. In addition, the balance can swing freely by the inertia of the tourbillon cage, which increases its isochronism and improves the precision. The above results are possible because the weight of the tourbillon is disconnected from the balance wheel and the tourbillon cage can be lighter and smaller, which saves energy.

 

Below is a picture to recap the benefits of the ExoTourbillon.





The illustration below shows the details of the calibre MB R230.






In terms of design codes, I feel the dial of the Vasco da Gamma edition for the ExoTourbillon Minute chronograph is very different from the regular model. More than half the dial features the Vasco da Gama NightSky, using a blue translucent quartz called Aventurine, which is very nice in appearance.







Here are more design codes illustrated in he picture below.






Live shots of this watch from Watches and Wonders 2015 (with my matching Montblanc goldstone cufflinks that look very similar to Aventurine).






Diamonds version, Limited 25 pieces
Diamonds version, Limited 25 pieces



At 44mm, it is quite large for my small wrist (at 6.3 inches) so I can’t carry this but most people can. If I had a bigger wrist, I must admit that the non diamond bezel version is very tempting for me.


Non Diamonds version, Limited 60 pieces
Non Diamonds version, Limited 60 pieces


There are two versions of the Heritage Chronometrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph, one Limited to 60 pieces and the other, with a diamond bezel, limited to 25 pieces. Both are cased in white gold with a case diameter of 44mm. For the diamonds version, the concave bezel is set with 76 diamonds , which creates an attractive aesthetic effect and simultaneously protects the bezel against scratches. Diamonds on watches are not for me but I know of Asian men who appreciate diamonds on their watches and I think some western ladies can carry off large watches; diamonds work well for many ladies of course.

 

To recap, here is a picture that shows the functions of this watch, similar to the regular edition that I had covered before.


 


This ends my three part series on the Heritage Chronometrie Vasco da Gama collection. Let me know what you think of this collection. I hope you have a chance to check these pieces out in-person as pictures cannot show the detailed beauty of the Aventurine dial or the 3D effect of the globe on the Dual Time.

 

Cheers

robin




More posts: CalibresCollection VilleretExoTourbillon ChronographHeritage Chronométrie CollectionHeritage Chronométrie Dual TimeHeritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute ChronographHeritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Heritage Spirit CollectionHeritage Spirit Orbis TerrarumMB R230Monopusher ChronographNicolas Rieussec Chronograph AutomaticNicolas Rieussec Collection

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time appeals to me because

 
 By: MTF : October 26th, 2015-21:14
...it seems easy to use and clearly displayed on the dial. Not just once have I called SWMBO (She who must be obeyed) accidentally when she was asleep during my international travels. Believe me, you should only do that once to learn never to do it again.... 

Lol! You called Alex's wife?!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 27th, 2015-07:47
That is so funny MTF! :p Agree on calculating time zones Sometimes I calculate it the wrong way around (eg 8 hours ahead instead of behind etc) I think for some of us we need the Orbis Terrarum instead Cheers Robin

So non of you own a smart phone??

 
 By: Arie - Mr Orange : October 29th, 2015-07:50
;-)

Lol that's a good one Arie!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 30th, 2015-18:21
Cheers Robin

The dials of both of these watches look exceptional.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : October 27th, 2015-06:45
The dual time is very nicely laid out. A very good example of that complication. How big is it, Robin?

41mm case diameter

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 27th, 2015-07:47
I wished it were smaller to be honest. 41mm is ok for most wrist size but a tad big for me Cheers Robin

My pleasure my friend

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 30th, 2015-18:24
Always happy to help Cheers Robin

This is a good article Robin...

 
 By: watercolors : October 28th, 2015-02:03
I love the dual time!!! MTF had a good story , that is what could happen when you are on the road all the time I wish some of my childhood friends from Europe (who I will not name to spare the embarrassment ) invested in Montblanc 's Vasco Da Gama watch s... 

Thank you Edward

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 30th, 2015-18:23
Glad you like this Dual Time too As Arie suggested, our smartphones also have a worldtime feature! But it\'s the beauty on our wrists that we like so I still appreciate a dual time or worldtime watch Speaking of which my Orbis Terrarum arrived in Singapor... 

Congratulations Robin....

 
 By: watercolors : October 31st, 2015-02:00
looking forward to some photos Cheers Edward

I like the "atmosphere" of the Dual Time

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 29th, 2015-08:45
I don't know where my impression comes from but the blue and warm dial colors match pretty well, as does the way the 2 subdials are decorated. The colors and design layout are really nice and make me think a little about the 60's Pan Am commercials spirit... 

Thank you Mark

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : October 30th, 2015-18:24
Glad you like the Dual time and also my posts Cheers Robin