TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500

Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500

The new TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500 reinterprets an iconic aesthetic with a “panda” dial, reinforcing its vintage and racing appeal.

Inspired by Performance

The Montblanc TimeWalker collection symbolizes the spirit of motor racing and harks back to these instruments of glory with a line of new professional watches for the modern performer. The collection finds its inspiration in timepieces from Minerva’s outstanding history. The Minerva Manufacture was known as an exclusive workshop producing high-quality instruments for measuring brief intervals of time with remarkable precision. Minerva watches were the reference in the field of horological innovation, with several patents registered over the years in the domain of precision timers, creating a legacy of savoir-faire.

Legitimacy of the past

Founded in 1858 in Villeret in the Saint-Imier Valley, Minerva has been a leading specialist in the fabrication of professional watches. From 1908 onwards, it was already successfully pursuing new technological challenges, such as the production of watches equipped with chronograph functions and highly accurate stopwatches that measured short intervals of time. The Manufacture developed stopwatches that could measure 1/5th of a second as early as 1911, rapidly increasing to 1/10th of a second. In this innovative spirit, in 1916, the Minerva Manufacture was one of the first to develop a high-frequency movement that could measure the 1/100th of a second, a development that was improved in 1936, putting Minerva on the map as the specialist of professional watches and stopwatches.

The TimeWalker collection combines these legendary timing instruments of the past with the spirit of motor racing, encapsulating the Minerva heritage, superb technology, masculine energy, winning performance and the style of the glory days of racing. Evocative, vintage-themed and contemporary, this collection is designed for modern performers who like to express their achievements, ambitions, masculinity, style and personality in their choice of wristwatch. Perfect for both business and leisure, the Montblanc TimeWalker timepieces command respect and admiration and underline the confidence of those who wear them.

Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph

Reinterpreting historical emblematic chronographs, the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500 combines an iconic tri-counter “panda” dial with a brand-new Manufacture automatic chronograph. Each element of the design of the timepiece is directly rooted in the world of racing with details that recall the golden age of motor racing. The dial, with its brown tri-counters on a “Cappuccino” beige background is what has become commonly known as a “panda” design. The bold contrast between the three-dimensional borwn counters and the “Cappuccino” beige dial are reminiscent of the dashboards of classic racing cars and are some of the most appealing and recognizable dial designs. Since its inception in the 1960s and 70s, the “panda” dial has become an icon, marking the history of watchmaking. It has always been highly appreciated for both its unique aesthetic and great readability. The dial also has a flange with a 5-minute track coated with SuperLumiNova® for high visibility day and night. Other features include rhodium-plated, dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands and a red chronograph second hand inspired by the Minerva arrow, a nod to Minerva’s legacy and heritage.

Performance and style continue onto the design of the 43 mm, stainless steel case, which has been satin-finished for an automotive look and better resistance to scratches. The TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition is equipped with a new fixed black bezel engraved with a tachymeter scale that is made of shiny high-tech black ceramic for utmost robustness, durability and performance. Ceramic has impressive properties such as a high-resistance to scratches, non-oxidization, a unique shiny surface, and a defence against all common chemical agents.

The horns, with their architectural and carved flanks, have been semi-skeletonized like the air inlets of a car’s body, and the black DLC crown has been knurled like vintage car radiator caps for better gripping. In the spirit of racing, the case back has been fitted with a smoked glass opening, reminiscent of the glass windows that cover powerful V12 engines. The timepiece is by the Montblanc Manufacture chronograph calibre MB 25.10 featuring traditional finishing such as Côtes de Genève, circular graining, blue screws and a new monobloc oscillating weight made of black rhodium-plated tungsten and designed in the shape of a steering wheel. The movement is equipped with a traditional column wheel, a horizontal coupling as well as a stop-second mechanism, allowing the precise setting of the time.

The Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500 indicates the hours, minutes, small seconds and date, as well as the chronograph’s indications with a central hand and counters at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, reminiscent of traditional 3-6-9 counter chronograph positions. Perfectly matching the “panda” dial, the timepiece features a new vintage brown, Sfumato, aged, calf leather strap with perforated holes coming from the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence and is fitted with the Maison's triple folding clasp, providing excellent flexibility and maximum comfort. The TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Limited Edition 1500 is water resistant to 100 meters, and has been rigorously tested by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500. This evaluation simulates real-life wear for over 500 hours and tests the finished and assembled watch, providing reliability and performance.