26 WATCHES & TIMEPIECES
Credit: Patrice Schreyer
arm bridge. To align and secure a single-arm bridge to the tolerances required of this mechanism is a testament to the savoir-faire of Montblanc’ s master watchmakers. Aesthetically speaking, the beautifully engraved and goldcoated stainless steel single-arm bridge arcs in perfect unison with the domed shape of the timetelling dial, helping to create visual harmony between the two sub-dials.
Beyond a technical improvement, the unique configuration of the Exo Tourbillon puts the balance wheel slightly above the dial, displaying the beating heart of the watch in a mesmerising fashion. Meanwhile, because this is a one-minute tourbillon in which the mechanism revolves once every sixty seconds, the tourbillon also acts as a running-second indicator.
The movement’ s bridges and gear train, largely visible through the transparent caseback, are finished by hand, including decorative work such as Côtes de Genève striping, circular graining, mirror-polishing, and top-grade anglage with precise inner-angle beveling, largely regarded the most difficult aspect of movement finishing.
A MUSICAL BOX IN THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV AND LOUIS XV
The box for the Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles was constructed by the Parisian luxury table-maker, Elie Bleu, in operation since 1976. The music box inside is by Switzerland’ s Reuge, which has specialised in luxury music boxes and mechanical songbirds since 1865. The music played by the coffret was presented at Versailles to celebrate the wedding of the Dauphin Louis and his bride on that storied night in February of 1745. Specifically, the music is by Jean-Philippe Rameau with lyrics originally written by none other than Voltaire.
Thanks to an external trigger on the side of the box, the music will play and the watch will turn in place as if dancing at the great masquerade ball. This spectacle takes place upon a real oak miniature parquet floor surrounded by real marble arches mimicking those of the Hall of Mirrors. On the outer walnut face of the box, the scene of The Yew Tree Ball from Cochin’ s famous engraving is laser-etched to exacting precision, a signature Montblanc treatment.
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THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 73 2025