Introducing The Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum, A New World-Timer With In-House Complication

December 16, 2014

Montblanc has been doing many a right thing recently. Think about the lineup that we covered in 2014 C the Meisterstck Heritage Pulsograph, the Villeret 1858 Vintage Pulsographe, the Meisterstck Heritage Perpetual Calendar, and even the limited edition homage to Nicolas Rieussec Superluminova Monopusher. We've covered in-house chronos, enamel dials, superbly finished devils tails, Minerva engravings, and a perpetual calendar deal of the year. Therefore, their latest offering shouldnt come as a shocker. The Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum is Montblancs new in-house(ish) World Timer.The Spirit Orbis Terrarum has a round 41 mm by 12 mm case, which is an appropriate compromise in diameter for a world time given all the information on the dial. The bezel is polished and the sides are brushed. This finishing follows suit on the curved lugs as well.The center of the dial is actually sapphire crystal, and if you focus on the continents, youll notice that half are dark and half are light. Thats because the 24-hour dial on the outer perimeter rotates on multiple layers and is visible through the sapphire center. This watch appears to be rather legible, with spacing between cities and corresponding hours making it easily deciphered. Rhodium-plated dauphine hands distinctly mark the hours and minutes, which is important given that its most relevant time. Yes, we've seen this before in Vacheron's world-timer, and there is no debating the visual similarities between the two pieces. The home time is set using the pusher at 8 oclock and is indicated by the city positioned at 6 oclock. Overall, the different elements on this dial appear to be spot on at first glance. Were excited to cover this in the metal in order to get its feel on the wrist (notice the leather strap that hugs the contours of the case).Inside the Spirit Orbis Terrarum beats the automatic caliber MB29.20. I called it "in-house(ish)" because while the base of this movement is indeed a well known Sellita, the world-time module is completely in-house. Further, the module isn't sandwiched on top like most, but rather integrated right into the movement. This is no simple modular movement and the in-house nature of the complication adds something special, still keeping the price down with the use of an off-the-shelf base caliber. Were expecting finishing to be on par with Montblancs perpetual line at the very least.Perhaps the last detail thats worth mentioning is that this watch is available in only one precious metal, and thats 18 carat red gold C and, yes, that photo isnt it because the model pictured is in stainless steel. The last time that Jerome Lambert released something in stainless steel, it was a full perpetual calendar for just under $13,000 so, naturally, we were very curious to see if he had performed another miracle.The price of the Montblanc Spirit Orbis Terrarum is 13,900 (roughly $17,500). However, that happens to be the extraordinary price of the 18-carat red-gold version. The price for the steel on steel version is 5,250 (about $6,600), and for the steel on leather it's 4,990 (about $6,300). That's unbelievable pricing for in-house manufacturing and this level of aesthetic quality.One thing is certain, and that is that the Spirit Orbis Terrarum is a strong statement that's bound to surface in serious watch discussions regarding the democratization of haute horology and the direction of the industry as a whole.For more information visit Montblanc online.