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Montblanc Timewalker Twinfly Chronograph: On the wrist review

Montblanc Timewalker Twinfly Chronograph Review

 At SIHH 2011, Montblanc unveiled the TwinFly chronograph.  This was the first substantive change to the Timewalker model line since its introduction in 2003.  Previously Montblanc took advantage of the iconic case design and simply utilized existing movements to create new models.  However with its new corporate focus on timepieces and recent successes in this market, Montblanc wisely chose to upgrade the Timewalker by combining its good looks with a novel chronograph movement and retour en vol mechanism.

Recently I had the opportunity to try the limited edition Timewalker TwinFly chronograph for an on the wrist review.  This was an extended trial during which time the watch was worn everyday for an entire month. First I have to apologize for not posting this review more promptly, my twins arrived sooner than expected and my life has been on the fly ever since! 

The classic 43mm Timewalker case is utilized for the TwinFly.  As previously discussed the Timewalker design was created by Giampiero Bodino, the same genius behind the now iconic Panerai Luminor cases and the more recent Ralph Lauren timepieces.  However this limited edition of 300 is characterized by the use of titanium and a deep black DLC coating.  The titanium case made the watch considerably lighter than its stainless steel counterpart.  The watch with strap and buckle weighs less than 90 grams.

Viewed directly, it is very difficult to see any component of the case because its sides, the bezel, and the lugs all slope away, allowing the dial to dominate the visual field.  It is a very monochromatic look with the classic black and white colors usually associated with Montblanc.

The side view reveals the characteristic skeletonized lugs and bowl shape of the Timewalker case design. The chronograph buttons and crown are the same as those found on any Timewalker chronograph except these are also DLC coated.  Notice there are no other pushers on the case.  The watch's second timezone and date function are all adjusted via the crown.  The slightly domed sapphire crystal is AR coated.

The dial appears to be quite cluttered and busy at first glance.  However the layout is intuitive and with time it becomes quite easy to read.  The TwinFly's primary distinguishing feature is that it is a sixty minute central chronograph.  The hash marks on the periphery of the dial is the seconds counter which is measured via the long thin red tipped hand. The chronograph minutes are recorded by the small red hand with the polished tip on the innermost circular scale.  The minutes counter is actually continuous, the hand does not jump from minute to minute as time lapses but moves smoothly around the sixty minute interval.

The watch gets its name from its Retour-En-Vol (or Flyback) mechanism.  Remember with a normal chronograph you push the actuator button once to start, once more to stop, and another button to return to zero, and once more to begin again. 

 However the flyback function allows for rapid re-timing as the chronograph counters return to zero and immediately begins timing again without having to stop. Since the chronograph hands are both centrally located, these "twin" hands "fly" back to their orginal position.  Here is a video to demonstrate the various functions.  Tactilely the chronograph actuators do not feel squishy, surprisingly they require a bit of force to overcome the distinct breaks which I did not expect since the Twinfly utilizes a column wheel.  You can hear the clicks.

Above the central minutes counter is the second timezone display.  Below it is the continuous seconds subdial.  These overlapping dials are problematic but to Montblanc's credit their designers preserved the integrity of the chronograph function and instead choose to "eat away" the other scales.  As a result I found that the GMT complication was only useful for a few hours as the larger time keeping hands obstructed this dial several times throughout the day. 

Notice the date window (located unusually at the 9 o'clock position) is balanced by the name plate.  The date change is not instantaneous but takes about an hour to complete.  I appreciated the larger font and the matching  date wheel color but I could not think of an obvious reason why functionally this placement is better than the traditional layout .  Then I realized the marketing genius of Montblanc.  By placing the name badge at the 3 o'clock position,  Montblanc ensures that its name is readily visible even when the watch is worn under long sleeves.

Structurally, the dial is actually multilayered.  Notice that the GMT counter is sunken.  The central chronograph minutes counter is elevated.  The date window is terraced and the hour markers are framed.  The printing on the dial is sharp.

There are patterns printed on the dial.  The spiral and grid motifs are quite subtle even in direct sunlight but these lines break the monotony of the all-black color scheme without too much distraction. The spiral pattern on the second timezone display is suppose to represent "day-night".

 The hour indices are applied on the dial.  The Arabic numerals use the same classic Timewalker font.  There is luminous on the dial and hands.  The lume is strong after an initial charge but quickly fades away.  This is not surprising given the small areas on which the paint is applied.  I also don't understand why the central minute counter is lumed since the chronograph hands are not.

The simple knurled crown with the iconic Montblanc white star logo is large enough to use without difficulty.  It is not screwed down so unfortunately the water resistance is limited to only 30 meters.  With the exception of the chronograph, all other functions of the watch are operated and adjusted via the crown as mentioned previously.  Pull the crown out one stop and this position allows for adjustment of the main hour hand forwards and backwards without hacking the seconds hand.  This allows for a traveler to quickly and accurately set the time when arriving at their travel destination.  Pulling out to the second stop allows the user to adjust the second timezone (which displays the Hometime when traveling) and change the date.

Of course the star attraction of the Timewalker Twinfly is its new movement:  Caliber LL100  (LL abbreviation for LeLocle).  This is the second completely manufactured movement by Montblanc, the first being the MBR 100 which powers the Nicolas Rieussec models.  These two projects, along with its acquisition of Minerva, reveal Montblanc's focus in watches will be dedicated to chronographs.

The LL100 was created by Mr. Gildas Le Doussal.  Avid PuristSPro readers will recognize the name since he was the movement designer for Louis Vitton's Tambour Mysterieuse.  He has also worked with Ulysse Nardin.

A few technical details.  The LL100 is a 36 jeweled movement which has been adjusted in 5 positions and oscillates at  a frequency of 28,800 A/H.  The movement has a double mainspring barrel which gives the Twinfly a 72 hour power reserve.  It is also an integrated chronograph which utilizes a column wheel and a vertical clutch.  For me, the use of a column wheel is a sign of quality but the incorporation of a vertical clutch is definitely a technical advantage.  The vertical clutch avoids some of the problems of horizontal gear coupling (loss of amplitude and skip motion of the seconds hand) and instead employs friction to assure a smooth and low impact initiation of the chronograph.

Interestingly these are some of the same great characteristics we've noted in the Nicholas Rieussec chronograph previously.  It is logical that there would be some integration of ideas and even parts across the model lines to streamline the manufacture process.  Check out the screwed balance which is the same diameter, shape, and possesses the same moment of inertia as its Rieussec cousin.

Through the sapphire crystal we can see some of the aesthetic finishes of the LL100. It looks like a partially skeletonized 3/4 plate design doesn't it?  The column wheel is exposed at the periphery.  The escapement/bridge assembly appears to have been designed so that it can be removed in bloc and replaced during servicing.

Of course we have the expected Cote de Geneve finishing on the plates and the blued screws.  The finish appears to have been applied mechanically (as is the case for Montblanc's other inhouse movement MBR100) and the edges of the plates are not beveled.  However to the naked eye it is executed well enough to impress.

The rotor of this limited edition Titanium DLC Twinfly is rhodium plated and has the familiar Montblanc Star cut out.  Notice the "S" which signifies that the specific example which I received was not an actual production model but a prototype sample.

Over the one month trial, the "on the wrist" power reserve was 70.2 hours.  There was no noticeable rotor noise or wobble.  The performance was acceptable.  Generally the watch was worn for approximately 12-14 hours a day and sat flat when it was stored.  I activated the chronograph and left it running twice a day for the complete 60 minute interval.  The "flyback" was used to amuse my colleagues at work and other watch enthusiasts!  I really never found any real-life application for the flyback feature.

The daily variance averaged to + 6 sec/day

The alligator strap with black stitching was fixed to the case via typical spring bars.  The design of the buckle mimics that of the skeletonized lugs.  Interestingly, unlike the titanium case, the buckle is fashioned out of stainless steel but it is also coated with DLC.

A few details that I noted over the trial period.  There were occasional rare events where the chronograph seconds hand did not completely reset to zero.  This issue would always resolve itself the next time the chronograph was activated and reset.  I suspect there must have been something wrong with the interaction between the column wheel and its associated levers.  This would also explain the excessive force that I felt was necessary to activate the chronograph. 

Also here are a few macro pictures ( I emphasize MACRO since they were barely noticeable with the naked eye) of the coating.  Notice where the lip of the bezel meets the case the coating appears to have worn down.  Also it looks like a small portion of the coating flaked off on the tongue of the buckle.  I am not sure how long this sample has been in circulation prior to this review, nor do I know how well it was taken care of.  I cannot even confirm whether or not the coating has been changed between this prototype and the actual production model but obviously the durability of the surface coating is an important point to consider for any enthusiast considering this limited edition Timewalker Twinfly.  In my experience with other coated watches, DLC is more durable than PVD and thus far I've been lucky not have noticed this wear on my DLC watches.

I thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Twinfly over the 30 days that it was on my wrist.  Prior to its arrival, my watch rotation consisted of a Grand Seiko SBGW001, a Montblanc Dual Carbon Sport Chronograph, and a Thomas Prescher Tempus Vivendi.  Given its specifications, I thought it would wear much like the Dual Carbon Sport but I was mistaken.  The Twinfly, because of its thin bezel and monochromatic look, wore much larger than its 43mm diameter would suggest.  Its light weight titanium construction made me forget that this watch was more than 15mm thick.  In fact I thought, weight wise, the Twinfly felt more like my Grand Seiko. 

The retail price for this limited edition TwinFly is approximately 11,000 USD.  Pricewise it is positioned at the same level as a basic stainless steel Rieussec and honestly I think this watch compares favorably to its more expensive cousins.  For those interested there is a serially produced stainless steel version of the TwinFly which retails for approximately 7,500 USD.

Finally here is a video produced by Montblanc for this watch

 I hope you have enjoyed this review.  Congrats to Montblanc for another successful new release.

Author's FTC Disclosure:  This Montblanc Timewalker Twinfly was obtained on loan from Montblanc USA.  I did not and will not receive any direct compensation nor special considerations from Montblanc USA for this review. 

Copyright February 2012- Michael Ting & PuristSPro.com - all rights reserved

Comments, suggestions, and corrections to this article are welcome.  

  

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