Montblanc grew its key model lines incrementally this year, starting with the Rieussec. 2011 is the 190th anniversary of Rieussec’s first stop watch, so naturally an anniversary Rieussec is mandatory. Available in platinum, rose or white gold, the Rieussec Anniversary Edition features the manual-wind Montblanc MB R110 calibre with a partially openworked dial decorated with barleycorn guilloche.
The barleycorn guilloche decoration is also found on the latest variant of the Rieussec chronograph that contains the automatic MB R200 calibre. Presented with a white or black dial in stainless steel, this version of the Rieussec is the best looking yet. The dial is cleaner than before; this new dial works best with the exposed bridge of the chronograph me thinks.
Though aesthetically related to the Rieussec, the Star collection is entry level and uses ETA movements. Two entirely new models were added, the first being the World-Time GMT Automatic. I find the design of this watch badly thought out – there are different fonts for the world time ring, numerals, date and text. Along with the Montblanc star guilloche dial, the result is an inexpensive looking watch.
The second new model suffers from the same aesthetic malaise in my opinion. It is an automatic with day and retrograde date.
Not entirely new, but better looking in my opinion, is the new look Star chronograph.
Fortunately aesthetics take a turn for the better in the Timewalker line which is Montblanc’s best looking and most distinctive range of accessibly priced watches. The new flagship of the Timewalker line, the TwinFly chronograph, contains the notable new in-house MB LL100 calibre.
The new in-house calibre is interesting: column wheel, vertical clutch and self winding with double barrels providing 72 hours of power reserve. It also features a second time zone indicator and an unobtrusive date at nine o’clock.
Echoing the crown is the cube motif guilloche on the dial. This gets high marks for its design, fit and finish. The TwinFly chronograph is available in a limited edition of 300 pieces in black DLC coated titanium or as regular production in steel.
Also new to the Timewalker range are redesigned current models. The first is the Red Gold “Black” Chronograph, a rose gold chronograph with, you guessed it, a black dial. The primary change is the gold-ringed seconds subdial.
Also new is the Club Brown, a chronograph and a GMT automatic with brown dials. While these are not bad looking watches I don’t know if brown will ever really catch on.
At the very top end Montblanc continues to grown the Villeret 1858 collection in unexpected directions. The major new complication for 2011 is the Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique. Based on the Heures Mysterieuse tourbillon, its name refers to the cylindrical double hairspring of the tourbillon. Like the Exotourbillon of 2010 this is yet another noteworthy thought out of the box.
Like marine chronometers of old and the JLC Gyrotourbillon 2, the Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique uses cylindrical hairsprings, but the Montblanc has a pair of them, one inside the other. Montblanc naturally makes these hairsprings in-house at Villeret.
Cylindrical hairsprings have the primary advantage of expanding and contracting with better symmetry and concentricity than flat hairsprings because of their vertical exis. And because this watch has a pair of them, each of the hairsprings breathes in opposite directions, improving isochronism according to Montblanc.
Unlike the original Heures Mysterieuse, the dial on the Bi-Cylindrique has been removed to expose the gears of the mystery hours mechanism. My photos show a prototype so some bits are missing from the watch. Only 16 pieces will be made, with eight each in rose or white gold.
- SJX
This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-01-30 08:17:28 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2011-01-30 16:19:16