Montblanc Unveils Collection Villeret 1858 ExoTourbillon Rattrapante at SIHH 2014

Montblanc has unveiled some incredible new timepieces at the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. One of our favorites is the new ExoTourbillon Rattrapante from the Collection Villeret 1858.

This timepiece combines a split-second chronograph with Montblanc’s patented ExoTourbillon, which has a large balance that oscillates outside the tourbillon’s rotating cage. The 47mm case is in 18K white gold and features a highly domed sapphire crystal with vertically descending flanks. The partially openworked gold dial is plated with rhodium and decorated with grand feu enamelling, while the tourbillon (which rotates in four minutes) is featured in a recessed area at 12 o’clock. The flange features the fifth-of-a-second scale for the rattrapante chronograph function, which can measure intermediate times without interrupting the ongoing measurement of a longer elapsing interval. The continuously running minutes are also indicated on the flange.

The hour for two time zones are featured on an off-centre enamel appliqué subdial at 6 o’clock. A skeletonised hand indicates the hour in the current local time zone, while a blued hand indicates the hour in the wearer’s home time zone. Three additional applied subdials indicate continuous seconds at 9 o’clock, thirty minutes at 3 o’clock, and a 24-hour indicator for the home time zone between 4 and 5 o’clock.

This piece is completed by a black alligator leather strap secured by a pronged buckle made of 18K white gold.

Only 18 pieces of the Collection Villeret 1858 ExoTourbillon Rattrapante will be produced. It will retail for €250,000 (approximately US$33,9025).

Photos courtesy Montblanc.