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Available in only eight pieces, Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Rattrapante pairs the patented tourbillon located at 12 o’clock with a monopusher split-second chronograph.
Introduced in 2010, the ExoTourbillon was developed by master watchmakers at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. “Exo” refers to how the screwed balance wheel is positioned outside the rotating cage, which improves precision because it isn’t affected by the cage’s inertia.
The relocation also saves 30% more energy than a conventional tourbillon since the smaller cage is free of the balance wheel’s weight.
Conventional tourbillons typically complete one rotation per minute but the ExoTourbillon rotates once every four minutes. The slower speed requires less energy from the barrel, yet produces the same compensating effect.
Due to its energy-saving architecture, the ExoTourbillon can be paired with the split-second chronograph function.
Historically, fascination with recording elapsed time led to the production of split-second stopwatches, also known as “rattrapante” chronographs, from the French word “to catch up”.
These precise stopwatches were able to measure intermediate times without interrupting the ongoing measurement of a longer elapsing interval.
The Montblanc rattrapante complication works with two column wheels and a double clamp, which can be observed in motion through the transparent case back of the 47mm red gold timepiece.
The design of the Heritage Chronometrie collection recalls the 1948 Minerva Pythagore timepiece, which featured a pure and elegant dial with applied Arabic numerals and indices, as well as a precise minute scale.
The new model has a three-dimensional dial enhanced by raised counters and subdials featuring different finishings.
The small seconds subdial and the 30-minute counter boast a central azuré motif and an opaline decoration on the external ring, while the second time zone and day/night subdials have been embellished with a sunray pattern.
The craftsmanship is also showcased in the elaborate decorations of the Calibre MB M16.62 with a 50-hour power reserve.