The Good, The Bad and The....

Jul 27, 2015,01:03 AM
 

Robin,


First, the Good:
I think the presentation of high complications in relatively 'affordable' Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Collection is a good idea. 
It was tried at JLC with less success probably because they compromised the finishing quality and "luxury feel". Also, JLC did not have the haute de gamme Villeret to benchmark the 'affordability'.
Montblanc's revision of the JLC business model is an improvement.

Next, the Bad:
The English definition of 'cage' derived from the female form of the Latin word for 'hollow' generally expresses a confinement within a space with skeleton construction or representative metal bars.

1.
a boxlike enclosure having wires, bars, or the like, for confining and displaying birds or animals.
2.
anything that confines or imprisons; prison.
3.
something resembling a cage in structure, as fora cashier or bank teller.
4.
the car or enclosed platform of an elevator.
5.
Mining. an enclosed platform for raising andlowering people and cars in a mine shaft.
6.
any skeleton framework.
7.
Baseball. a movable backstop for use mainly inbatting 




The Exo Tourbillon does not have a 'cage' but a pivot structure that functions like a traditional tourbillon cage. 
I think they should invent a new word for their invention because it ain't a cage. Maybe CLP (cage-like pivot)?


Finally, the Ugly:
There is no ugly; the regular edition is pretty and would be better in white metal but that is reserved for the Vasco da Gama edition.
The da Gama edition has a distracting starry dial. I understand the tribute to the Navigator but the real star is the tourbillon.

Regards,
MTF


More posts: Collection VilleretHeritage Chronométrie CollectionHeritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama

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Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Collection Part 4 – The ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 25th, 2015-01:49
This is the last part of my write-up on the new Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie collection. In this post, I will continue from Part 3, which focuses on Montblanc’s in-house complications and movements developed for this new collection. Part 4 provides the...  
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Thank you Robin for the exhaustive article....

 
 By: watercolors : July 25th, 2015-11:51
I learned a lot from both of your reports, It is good to see that there are new ideas patented in watchmaking. That shows the industry is alive! Regards Edward
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The industry is very alive Edward :)

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 25th, 2015-22:21
Even in the coming wave of smart watches. There are still many interesting patents coming from Montblanc and other brands every year to keep PuristS like us ever excited ! Cheers Robin
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It is so easy to feel how passionate you are Robin.

 
 By: MichaelC : July 25th, 2015-16:45
Thanks for the continued dedication! As for the Heritage ExTMC... wow, it is beautiful. One day, I hope to own a watch of this magnitude.
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The HC EMC...

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 25th, 2015-22:23
Is indeed a super watch. I tried it and it\'s too big for me. The value of the watch for such a complication and finish is indeed tempting. Hopefully you get to try it in the metal some day my friend And yes, I am a fan of Montblanc products not just thei... 
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I'll admit, I have a desire to acquire a MB timepiece.

 
 By: MichaelC : July 26th, 2015-09:06
Your posts certainly add to that desire! But seriously, it is a brand on the move with inspiring offerings. One day, for sure. I also got Blomman tempting me w/ GPs, Cali Jed kills me with Chopard, and Nico - well, sometimes I purposely avoid his posts, s... 
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The Good, The Bad and The....

 
 By: MTF : July 27th, 2015-01:03
Robin, First, the Good: I think the presentation of high complications in relatively 'affordable' Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie Collection is a good idea. It was tried at JLC with less success probably because they compromised the finishing quality and ...  
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Interesting point MTF

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 27th, 2015-21:18
On cage like Pivot. A new watch tech term! Actually I feel the starry dial of the Vasco da Gamma version is very nice. The blue dial is made of Aventurine, a type of blue quartz which is very nice if you see it in the metal. (Aventurine is not a special k... 
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thanks for your review

 
 By: ED209 : July 27th, 2015-07:44
Nice review Robin. I agree with you, would be nice of Montblanc to provide a video and explain how the exotourbillon is able to save 30% energy. Regards, ED-209
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Yep :)

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 27th, 2015-21:19
I will suggest to them Will be so cool! Cheers Robin
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Glad you like the read Thomas

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 27th, 2015-21:20
Montblanc is definitely walking the talk - sharing their passion for fine watchmaking (complications at more competitive prices) Cheers Robin
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Thanks for this enjoyable read Robin

 
 By: Tick Talk : July 27th, 2015-13:39
Of course you know I'll agree with your comments regarding testing; the tourbillon was at one time synonymous with accuracy but now is viewed more as an indicator of manufacturing savvy. Also, I wish they would make smaller cases for these watches; the me... 
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Thank you Dean

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 27th, 2015-21:21
Your sharing helps me understand the definition of the Tourby cage better Agree they can make smaller watches. I have been giving Montblanc staff I meet the same feedback lately. Cheers Robin
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Definition of 'cage'

 
 By: MTF : July 27th, 2015-21:44
tick-talk, The horological definition of 'cage' as quoted from the specialist dictionary is also listed in the general language dictionary as "any skeleton framework". There is concurrence that is understood by horologists but a bit obscure for the mass m... 
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Nice report Robin

 
 By: Mark in Paris : July 30th, 2015-07:13
We don't have everyday the opportunity to discover and learn about very complicated watches. There are many interpretations of tourbillons out there and I guess it is more a question of how it is interesting more than how it is accurate. First, because we... 
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Thanks for your comments Mark

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 31st, 2015-10:19
and glad you like this report :) Indeed Montblanc's top management is very proud of their Villeret manufacture and indeed it is very close to their hearts I know :) Cheers Robin
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Well, I saw a JLC. Again!

 
 By: marcelo : August 14th, 2015-12:40
;)
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Which one my friend?

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : August 14th, 2015-21:11
This time I think the ExoTourbillon is very original from Montblanc. I can\'t see which JLC model looks like this? But then again I don\'t know all JLC models well so let me know thanks! Cheers Robin
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This one, Robin:

 
 By: marcelo : August 15th, 2015-18:50
...  
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Oh I see :)

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : August 15th, 2015-22:14
Slightly similar but not that similar imho. Different complications so the dials are different. The MB is an ExoTourbillon with a monopusher chronograph. The JLC is a Tourbillon with a Perpetual Calendar. Thanks for sharing the picture :) Cheers robin
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