Introducing the Montblanc TimeWalker World Time Hemispheres (Yes, Plural)

January 23, 2013

Top to bottom, Montblanc has some of the most impressive novelties at SIHH this year. Two pieces that stood out for their concept, design, and execution are the new TimeWalker World Time Hemispheres. This pair of watches, part of Montblancs distinctively sporty and affordable TimeWalker collection, is interesting because of the unique way in which each displays world time zones. The Northern Hemisphere. Instead of merely surrounding the dial with a rotating ringof cities, the Hemisphere watches, as their name suggests, have a rotating discat the center of the dial with an image of the Earth as seen from above aPole with the Earths time zones clearly demarcated.Notice that I say a Pole," because the Hemisphere isactually comprised of two watchesone for the Northern Hemisphere and one forthe Southern. For each, the city ring only displays the names of prominentcities in the corresponding hemisphere (quick, where's Pago Pago?). As you rotate the city ring using thecrown, the center hemisphere disc rotates and displays, at a glance,which time zones are in darkness and which are in daylight. On the NorthernHemisphere watch, the central disc rotates clockwise, while the Southernrotates counter-clockwise. It's the Coriolis Effect of horology.Sure, youd need two watches to cover the entire Earth(clever sales strategy?) but its still a cool concept. The caseback of each watch is engraved with the opposite hemisphere for reference, which creates a sort of mirror image when you turn the watch over. And the South. The two TimeWalker World Time Hemispheres are not onlydifferent in terms of cities and center discs. The Northern Hemisphere watchhas a lighter silver dial while the Southern Hemisphere is darker gray withorange accents. Both watches have 42mm steel cases with brushed titaniumbezels. Either can be had on a titanium and steel bracelet or a textile strap.Pricing is very reasonable at about $4900 on strap or about $5700 on bracelet.For more information, see Montblanc's website.