SIHH 2015: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama

Jan 19, 2015,18:45 PM
 

Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Limited Edition 60



This version of the ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph is the flagship of the Vasco da Gama Limited Editions. Each of the 60 chronographs in this strictly limited edition boasts several important artisanal refinement.

Montblanc’s ticking flagship is naturally affiliated with Vasco da Gama’s floating flagship, the São Gabriel. The pane of sapphire crystal in the case back is adorned with a sketch of the historic sailing vessel, as is the signature of the intrepid discoverer and seafarer. The series is limited to 60 watches in reference to the 60-man crew of the São Gabriel.

The sophisticated dial with different levels and refined finishes reflects the two complications of the timepiece.

The upper part embellished with a slice of aventurine, dyed dark blue, catches the eye on the dial, where numerous small dots emulate the starry night sky in reference to the night sky of the southern hemisphere that guided Vasco da Gama on his voyage. A diamond in the patented cut in the shape of the Montblanc emblem sparkles at 12 o’clock. A wave-shaped guilloché, designed in flinqué style and coated with blue paint, in the centrally positioned hand-type date display refers to the nocturlabium (star clock), which was one of the navigational instruments aboard the São Gabriel.

The dial’s lower level is satin-finished and unveils the intricate construction of the ExoTourbillon at 6 o’clock.

This exceptional timepiece is available in a 44-mm white gold case






Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco Da Gama Limited Edition 60

Ident.: 112649

Movement: Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB R230

Type of movement: Mechanical movement with double barrel, automatic winding mechanism, one-minute patented ExoTourbillon with stop-second mechanism

Chronograph: Monopusher with column-wheel and vertical coupling

Dimensions: Diameter=33.7 mm; height=8.65 mm

No. of components: 296

No. of rubies: 44

Power reserve: Approx. 50 hours

Balance: Screw balance, diameter=9.7 mm; moment of inertia=12 mgcm2

Frequency: 21,600 A/h (3 Hz)

Hairspring: Flat

Plate: Rhodium plating and circular graining

Bridges: Rhodium plating and côtes de Genève

Gear-train: Special tooth profile improves the efficiency of the power transmission


Displays (Watch): Off-centre hours and minutes. Date on an off-centre subdial. Patented ExoTourbillon at 6 o’clock (one revolution per minute to indicate the seconds) with a rhodium-plated tourbillon bridge

Display (Chrono): 60 elapsed seconds and 30 elapsed minutes counters with double indication hands and corresponding sectorial scales

Special features: Travel function with rapid reset of hour-hand and date display either forward or backward. Tourbillon can be stopped by directly halting the balance wheel


Habillage

Case :18 K white gold, polished case with satin-finished interhorns, concave-shaped bezel for scratch protection

Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on both surfaces

Back: Screwed 18 K white gold back with inset pane of sapphire crystal with Vasco da Gama’s flagship, the São Gabriel

Dimensions: Diameter=44 mm; height=14.79 mm

Watertightness: 3 bar

Crown: 18 K white gold with Montblanc emblem in raised relief

Push-piece: Monopusher at "8 o’clock"

Dial:  Upper part made of aventurine depicts the sky at night with the patented Montblanc diamond at "12 o’clock"and vertical satin-finished on the lower part.  Rhodium-plated sword-shaped hour-hand and minute-hand, date shown by a hand with a little red crescent at its tip on a blued guilloché flinqué wave pattern decoration on off-centre dial, chronograph with two counters with silver "filets" (one counter for 60 elapsed seconds at "8 o’clock" and a second counter for 30 elapsed minutes at "4 o’clock") with double indication hands and corresponding sectorial scales 14


Wristband: Black alligator-skin strap crafted at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence with 18 K white gold pin buckle

Limited Edition 60

Certified by the Montblanc Performance Test 500

Price 45’000 euros



More posts: 112649CalibresExoTourbillon ChronographHeritage Chronométrie CollectionHeritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute ChronographHeritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama MB R230

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Cool looking watch

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : January 19th, 2015-19:26
Not sure about the printed ship on the rear caseback. I feel it cheapens the watch IMO since the price is 45'000 Euros. Beautiful use of the aventurine dial for the stary hight sky. - AT

Exotourbillon with chronograph LE

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : January 20th, 2015-04:42
At this price seems like a steal! I like the blue dial but need to check it in the metal. Alas at 44m, my wrist is too small for this. Great effort from Montblanc for a more affordable Exo Tourbillion! Great to see a patent developed by Montblanc Villeret... 

I think I like the non-LE version better

 
 By: mkt33 : January 20th, 2015-14:43
Aventurine always look better in the metal than in simulated pictures ( a lesson I learned when I looked at Jaquet Droz dials) But the date display looks awkward here IMHO, the tourbillon bridge I wish was more sensual, and why the design on the sapphire ...