Metamorphosis II

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Metamorphosis II - Montblanc
1 minute read
For this year’s Watches & Wonders show, Montblanc presents a totally new version of the Metamorphosis model first presented back in 2010.

One watch, two faces
The principle is simple: the Metamorphosis II allows its wearer to choose between two different faces for his watch. One takes the form of a regulator display with the hours on a subdial at 12 o’clock and the date on a separate subdial at six o’clock; the other displays the chronograph hours and minutes in the same positions but on different subdials. In both cases the minutes and seconds remain visible, displayed by two retrograde hands on a central axis.

 

 

A sliding bolt on the left-hand side of the case is used to switch between these two dial configurations, whereupon a complex mechanical ballet involving no less than 82 moving components is initiated. Over a period of five seconds, two pairs of wings cover the two subdials in a transformation process designed to resemble a stage curtain opening and closing. When converting from the standard time display to the chronograph function, the counters rise up from below. A second activation of the sliding bolt lowers the counters to return to the original display. All the while, the watch's functions remain active, regardless of the display chosen (although the central seconds hand is used either to display running time or elapsed time for the chronograph when it is in operation).

 

Montblanc Metamorphosis II

 

Minerva legacy
The hand-wound MB M 67.40 calibre used in the Metamorphosis is assembled by hand in Montblanc’s Minerva factory, famed for the chronograph calibres it has been producing continuously since 1858. It consists of a staggering 746 different components, of which 494 alone are used for the metamorphosis function. In the best Minerva tradition it has a screw balance and a hairspring with a Philips terminal curve that beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5Hz).

 

Montblanc Metamorphosis II movement

 

The metamorphosis of the Metamorphosis
This second Metamorphosis differs considerably from the model presented four years ago. Whereas the first model came in an avant-garde design with an asymmetrical case shape, the Metamorphosis II has a more classical look with a slightly larger (52mm diameter instead of 47mm) round case in 18-carat red gold and a finely engine-turned gold dial. The most disappointing difference, at least for watch fans, is that whereas the Metamorphosis I was a limited edition of 28 pieces, only 18 of the Metamorphosis II models will be available worldwide.

Click on the image above for a photo gallery of the new Montblanc Metamorphosis II.

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