The new Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 is a perfect example of classic craftsmanship aesthetics where tradition and innovation come together. The patented Exo Tourbillon Suspended complication was created entirely in-house and took three years to develop. The word of Greek origin "Exo", meaning "exterior", refers to the large balance positioned on the outside of the tourbillon's rotating cage. When Montblanc engineers developed the innovative Exo Tourbillon Sospended complication, their idea was to create a one-minute tourbillon that would be more visible, so that it would show itself in all its beauty. This particular patented structure made it possible to use a large and visually striking balance without having to increase the size of the movement or the case. The imposing balance sits 3.2 mm higher than the dial, on which it almost seems to float. The suspended position is made possible by a specially designed tourbillon bridge with a curved arm, which creates a three-dimensional effect and creates a very eye-catching appearance. Given its asymmetrical structure, the alignment of the Exo Tourbillon's bridge with a single arm is a great testament to the art of watchmaking. In terms of performance, the Exo Tourbillon, having a smaller cage and not being affected by the weight of the balance, guarantees greater energy savings than a traditional tourbillon. The positioning of the balance outside the rotating cage means that it is not affected by the inertia of the cage itself. The large balance, beating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, plays an important role in the performance of the timepiece, thanks to the presence of 18 compensating screws. The 44.8 mm case in 18-carat white gold houses the manufactory-made MB M16.68 calibre (38.30 mm diameter, 10.60 mm thick, 218 components, 19 jewels, power reserve of approximately 50 hours, certified by Montblanc Laboratory Test 500), which is mechanical with manual winding and visible through the sapphire glass porthole on the caseback. The mechanism is hand-finished in-house at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret; the decorations include the rectilinear stripes of the Côtes de Genève decoration, the internal angles, the circular grainé effect, the chamfering and the mirror-polished ratchet with hand-finished Minerva arrow. The 18-carat, silvery-white gold dial with sandblasted and aventurine finish has an off-centre hour and minute counter at 12 o'clock and the tourbillon device opens to view at 6 o'clock. The watch is produced in a limited edition of 18 pieces.
Price: 111,800 euro.
