24 WATCHES & TIMEPIECES
THE DIAL BASE
The base of the dial is constructed from white gold 750 / 1000( 18 karats), which is then covered with black enamel and topped with gold paillons before being baked in the oven. This enamel and gold treatment gives the effect of the candle-lit chandeliers being reflected in the windows, creating an eye-catching depth to the dial. The archways are created from two types of stone: the milky white Cacholong, a variety of opal, and Sarrancolin marble sourced from the same quarry in France’ s Hautes-Pyrénées region used for the marble in the original Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. For the floor, solid oak is cut and inlaid on the dial to recreate the parquet pattern.
Every material found on the dial base will vary naturally, making each Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles slightly different.
CHANDELIERS AND COSTUMED GUESTS ETCHED IN SAPPHIRE
Many of the existing prints of Cochin’ s etching of The Yew Tree Ball were only partially filled in, and some examples leave ghostly outlines of the guests in the hall. To capture the ethereal quality of these etchings, as well as the sense of secrecy and gossip surrounding Louis XV’ s disguised appearance, Montblanc’ s artisans have turned to etching the chandeliers and costumed guests into sapphire plates that rest on top of the main dial. Specifically, you can make out the yew-tree costumes on the left side of the dial, where the mystery of which one hides Louis XV remains.
Etching sapphire is a modern technique deployed onto a modern material, and yet the sapphire etchings blend seamlessly into the
Credit: Patrice Schreyer
traditional marquetry of the main dial, adding visual depth while capturing the qualities of Cochin’ s prints. Hand-painting of the cables holding the chandeliers brings a touch of marquetry, and yet another layer of depth.
THE TIME-TELLING DIAL
Inspired by clocks and pocket watches from the era of Louis XIV, the time-telling dial sits at 12-o’ clock as the grand visual feature of the Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles. This dial directly ties the watch to the grand traditions
Credit: Patrice Schreyer
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 73 2025