Thus, the 50 Hz balance wheel only operates when the chronograph is in operation. The watch measures up to 15 minutes, which is exactly how long the power reserve for the chronograph lasts. The time, however, can go for about 100 hours before the watch needs a wind. This is all part of the “bi-frequencie” caliber MB M66-25 manually wound Montblanc Villeret movement. That’s right, this is the first Timewalker piece to contain a movement by the former Minvera plant. The completely hand-assembled and crafted movement exists at the top of the Montblanc pyramid and is produced in the small Swiss town of Villeret.
Turn the case over and you’ll be able to see the movement with its dual balance wheels and very unique architecture. The design of the case is not exactly your typical Timewalker, as Montblanc wanted to explore a conceptual aesthetic. Again, this is very much a concept watch. At 45.6mm wide, the case is produced from black DLC-coated steel, titanium, and carbon fiber for the central part of the body (though it is more like a ring around an inner titanium shell). The top of the watch over 12 o’clock is where the chronograph pusher is located. Note some of the distinctive Montblanc Villeret design elements which includes the devil’s tail in the movement and the mother-of-pearl used for the Montblanc logo in the crown.
Montblanc has committed to produce only 100 Timewalker Chronograph 100 pieces. As a limited edition from Minerva, that actually sounds like a lot coming from the folks at Villeret. The Timewalker Chronograph 100 is a rare find in today’s watch landscape from the major brands and I was happy to see it. Let’s face is, this isn’t Montblanc’s most attractive watch nor is it their best designed from Villeret. It is, however, unique and takes the iconic Timewalker case to a thought-provoking new level. What Montblanc has done is experiment and shared their experiment with the public – something I more than admire, in fact I even wanted to write about it. Price for the Montblanc Timewalker Chronograph 100 limited edition will be $63,900. montblanc.com
Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100 tech specs:
Movement: Manufacture calibre MB M66-25
Type of movement: Manually wound movement with chronograph; one balance for the time indication and a separate balance for the chronograph
Chronograph: Monopusher mechanism with column-wheel, button between the horns at “12 o’clock”
Displays (watch): Hours and minutes from the centre, subdial for the seconds at “9 o’clock”
Displays (chronograph): Hundredths of a second from the centre (one revolution per second); concentric counters for 60 elapsed seconds and 15 elapsed minutes at “6 o’clock”
Movement Dimensions: Diameter = 38.4 mm, height = 7,63 mm
Number of components: 377
Number of rubies: 37
Power reserve: Ca. 100 hours for the going train, ca 45 minutes for the chronograph
Balance (going train): Screw balance, diameter = 11,4 mm; 26 mgcm2
Frequency going train): 18,000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 hertz)
Hairspring (going train): With Phillips terminal curvature
Balance (chronograph): Smooth hoop; diameter = 6 mm;
Frequency (chronograph): 360,000 semi-oscillations per hour (50 hertz)
Hairspring (chronograph): Flat
Plate: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with circular graining on both sides
Bridges: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with côtes de Genève decoration
Gear-train: Gold-plated wheels with faceted spokes, hubs with polished centres
Case: Material mix consisting of titanium, stainless steel and carbon fibre
Crystal above dial: Cambered sapphire crystal
Bezel: Stainless steel coated with black DLC
Middle piece (carrure): Titanium sheathed by a cocoon o carbon fibre
Back of case: Screwed titanium back with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Crown: Titanium with inlaid Montblanc emblem made of mother-of-pearl
Dial: Sapphire crystal with several functional levels, continually running seconds shown on a disc of sapphire crystal at the “9 o’clock”, inclined flange with scale for 1/100ths of a second
Case Dimensions: Diameter = 45.6 mm, height = 15.48 mm
Watertightness: To 30 meters
Hands: Rhodium-plated hour-hand and minute-hand with Superluminova; skeletonised, black lacquered hand for 60 elapsed seconds; skeletonised, red lacquered hand for 15 elapsed minutes; red lacquered hand for 1/100ths of a second
Wristband: Black alligator-skin, hand sewn with contrasting red stitching; pronged buckle made of titanium
