MONTBLANC – Villeret 1858 Metamorphosis II Chronograph NEW
The Transforming Alchemy of Innovation and Tradition
Montblanc's unveiling of the new
Metamorphosis II at Watches &
Wonders turns the spotlight on one of the most complex movements ever
developed and designed in
Montblanc’s manufacture workshops in
Villeret,
revealing the timepiece in a completely new aesthetic.
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The most striking feature of this new
Montblanc timepiece is its
"metamorphosis" concept which is driven by a highly complex mechanical
movement with
746 components and protected by various patents that took
over 4 years in development. It was at
SIHH 2010 when
Montblanc first
introduced connoisseurs to the astounding concept of overlaid dials,
which open majestically like a theatre curtain. The aim of this unique
complication is to offer a spectacular change of design and function of
the timepiece from classic time to chronograph and back using the same
movement. A bold, creative and innovative way to combine the
characteristics of traditional fine watchmaking with revolutionary
principles of innovation.
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Metamorphosis II is the first timepiece to perform such a capacity
for transformation. To master this challenge, the
Montblanc master
watchmakers took the 156 years of expertise as a chronograph specialist
of the
Montblanc manufacture in
Villeret - the former manufacture
Minerva - and borrowed traditional methods from the art of automaton
manufacture, an age-old artisanal craft long practised alongside fine
watchmaking in the Swiss Jura mountains.
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Crafted entirely by hand,
Metamorphosis II represents the perfect
symbiosis of tradition and innovation, and will rightfully claim its
place among the grand complications in the world of fine watchmaking. A
skilful alchemy between classical, timeless beauty and sporty elegance,
the new aesthetic of the
Metamorphosis II enables
Montblanc to open up a
new chapter in the history of horological design.
A Timepiece with Two Faces
The functioning principle of the
Metamorphosis II is as simple to
explain as it is difficult to create : In the classic position, the
timepiece displays the classical face of time showing the hours, minutes
and date. A slide on the left side of the case is used to transform
this elegant, classic indication, by revealing a new face. Additionally,
the control device initiates a highly sophisticated mechanical process
that transforms the dial with the classical time indication into a
chronograph and new function.
The Metamorphosis of Watchmaking
The concept of the
Montblanc Metamorphosis II is inspired by the
opening of a theatre curtain to reveal a stage. Its innovative principle
forges a unique link between the movement components and the dial
functions to create a new ensemble.
During the metamorphosis, which is controlled by the sliding bolt
situated between "10 o'clock" and "8 o'clock" on the middle case, two
wings fold in on themselves inside the lower part of the dial, gradually
disappearing on each side. They unveil a chronograph counter disc for
counting down the minutes, which rises gradually like a lifting ramp
inside the movement until it "absorbs" the hand that indicates the date,
thanks to a subtly defined opening. Similar transformation is performed
in parallel in the upper part of the dial. Two wings also move apart on
the left and right sides, causing the classic time display with Roman
numerals to disappear. They reveal a new dial in a new design with
Arabic numerals and index, ensuring optimal readability of the
chronograph face.
This process is reversible, and the opposite movement is initiated
when the control device is actuated again: the sliding wings at the top
and bottom of the dial are re-deployed, concealing the chronograph
counter, which is once more lowered out of sight inside the movement,
and bringing the timepiece 's classic, elegant face back to the fore.
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One of the most innovative, technical characteristics of the
Metamorphosis II is its ability to permanently retain all of its
functions irrespective of the chosen face. The chronograph and date
functions remain active independently of the watch face. Hence, when the
timepiece is in classic mode and the chronograph is actuated, the
chronograph minute counter continues to run. When the chronograph face
is revealed again, the elapsed time is indicated instantly.
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The same
happens for the date: even if the chronograph mode has been active for
several days, the date continues to run in the background, and is
displayed again with complete accuracy when the watch returns to the
classic mode.It only takes around five seconds to switch from one face
to the other. During this time, numerous components of the timepiece –
the wheels, cams, pinions – begin a perfectly choreographed mechanical
dance, driven by a separate barrel and precisely controlled by a force
regulator. A total of 82 moving components, all of them meticulously
crafted by hand, are involved in this extraordinary watchmaking
metamorphoses.
The Time for Classic Elegance
In its classic position, the
Montblanc Metamorphosis II displays all
the understated elements of elegance of a fine watchmaking timepiece in
the most traditional sense. While the red gold case is perfectly round,
the display itself is classical yet highly original. The time indication
uses the regulator principle with separated hands and scales for the
hours and minutes. The hours are indicated by a single hand which moves
around a subdial with Roman numerals at "12 o'clock".The minutes display
is even more technically complex, with its large central hand tracing a
210 degree retrograde arc between "8 o'clock" and "4 o'clock". Once it
reaches the "60" graduation on the right of the dial, the hand instantly
returns to the "0" position and traces its path afresh. Finally, a
small hand very clearly indicates the date on an additional dial
graduated from 1 to 31 at "6 o'clock".
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The hour, minute and date hands show the time on a particularly
refined and sophisticated 18K solid gold dial, which features a variety
of different artisanal finishes and decorations requiring a very unique
know-how of traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. The inner part of
each side of the dial is decorated with hand-crafted silvered "Grain
d’orge" (barleycorn) guilloché. The lower section adorns a sapphire
bridge while the outer part of the dial features an artisanal
circular-brushed satin finish as well as the hour counter at "12
o'clock". Finally, the minute track is decorated, with a hand-crafted
raised brim index in 18 K red gold and cabochon index.
This decorative work, carried out with the greatest respect for
tradition by master craftsmen, illustrates the importance that
Montblanc
attributes to both the internal and external beauty of its timepieces.
In this configuration, the refined elegance of the
Metamorphosis II
harks back to the golden age of watchmaking.
The Ultimate Chronograph
It takes just five seconds for the
Metamorphosis II to undergo the
transformation from classic time to a sporty, elegant chronograph face .
Thus transfigured, a unique character emerges, poised for action and
configured for the measurement of short intervals of time.
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The emerging dial, which displays dynamic Arabic numerals, features a
hand-crafted black-coloured "Clous de Paris" guilloché decoration at 12
o’clock for the indication of the hours, beautifully contrasting with
the silvered spiral guilloché and circular-brushed satin finish of the
centre part of the dial. These different artisanal finishes reinforce
the timepiece's readability, infusing it with a precious dynamism.
While the retrograde minute hand retains its original function, the
central seconds hand changes its function to serve as the chronograph
second hand.The chronograph minutes counter in black rises from inside
the movement to the level of the dial and is actuated by pressing the
pusher integrated in the crown.With its monopusher column wheel
chronograph mechanism, horizontal clutch and large balance wheel with
Phillips terminal curve, operating at a traditional frequency of 18,000
semi-oscillation per hour,
Montblanc pays tribute to the legacy of the
legendary
Minerva chronographs, produced since
1858 in the
Villeret
manufacture. Once the brief time intervals have been measured, the slide
can simply be slid across to return the
Metamorphosis II to its
original configuration featuring its classic face.
Over 156 Years of Watchmaking History
It is thanks to the expertise nurtured over 156 years in the Swiss
watch manufactures in Le Locle and
Villeret that
Montblanc was able to
bring its ambitious vision of the
Metamorphosis II to reality. All of
the watchmaking disciplines and traditional craftsmanship mastered to
perfection in the Maison’s workshops have been used for the development
of this extraordinary timepiece. Combining a strong respect for
tradition and a quest for revolutionary innovation, the
Metamorphosis II
underlines
Montblanc's positioning at the very heart of fine Swiss
watchmaking.
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Incorporating a total of 746 components made from precious materials
and decorated entirely by hand - 494 of which are dedicated exclusively
to the metamorphosis function - this extraordinary new timepiece is the
subject of numerous patents and ranks among the most complex of
contemporary watches. In the spirit of all the timepieces of the
prestigious Collection
Montblanc Villeret 1858, the new
Metamorphosis II
remains faithful to its dedication to perfection in terms of
traditional artisanal craftsmanship and innovative construction,
aesthetic refinement and reliability.
This truly exceptional timepiece will be produced in a very
limited
edition of eighteen pieces, offering a unique interpretation of the
metamorphosis of time.
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TECHINCAL SPECIFICATIONS
Ident. 112442
Movement: MB M 67.40
Type of movement:
Hand-wound mechanical movement.
With mechanical transformation of the time indication function to the chronograph function
Chronograph: Monopusher chronograph with horizontal clutch and column wheel
Dimensions: 16 lines (38.40 mm); height =12.45 mm
Number of components: 746 (494 for the metamorphosis)
Number of jewels: 85
Power reserve: Approximately 50 hours
Balance: Screw balance
Frequency: 18'000 semi-oscillations per hour (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring: With Phillips terminal curve
Main plate: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with circular graining on both sides
Bridges: Rhodium-plated nickel silver with Côtes de Genève
Going-train: Gold-plated, faceted arms, diamond polished surfaces
Classical indications:
Hour counter at "12 o'clock"
Retrograde minute hand
Central seconds
Date indicator at "6 o'clock"
Chronograph function indications:
Central chronograph seconds
30 minute rotating disc counter at "6 o'clock
Features
Case: 18K red gold (5N)
Dimensions: diameter = 52 mm, height = 15.8 mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: 18K red gold (5N) with sapphire crystal
Watertightness: 3 bar
Dial:
Gold decorated with various hand-crafted finishes
depending on the face ("Grain d’orge" guilloché, "Clous de Paris"
guilloché, spiral guilloché, circular satin finish, minute track with
raised edge in 18 K red goldand cabochon index); sapphire bridge; hour
circle with black Roman numerals for the classic face and black Arabic
numerals for the chronograph face
Crown: 18 K red gold (5N) with mother-of-pearl
Montblanc emblem
Pushers:
Sliding mechanism on the case’s flank at "10
o'clock" to start the transformation,
date corrector at "4 o'clock",
chronograph pusher integrated in the crown
Hands:
Hour and minute hands in 18 K red gold (5N),
date hand in nickel silver,
chronograph hands in Pfinodal
Strap:
Hand-sewn black alligator-leather strap with triple folding clasp made of 18 K red gold (5N)
