Elite Traveler March-April 2015

DISCOVER

elite traveler MAR/APR 2015 ISSUE 2 36

Montblanc’s Geosphère three- dimensional globes depict the world’s 24 time zones

Watches

The essence of adventure is easily captured in fine timepieces. Designs interpret the spirit of aviation (Breitling, Bremont), deep-sea diving (Rolex, Blancpain) or even space (Omega, Zenith). The signature piece of the latest Montblanc collection is rather a paean to exploration itself. The Montblanc Collection Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Vasco da Gama is an homage to the great 15th century Portuguese explorer. Besides a triple-time-zone complication and 12-hour compass rose at the six o’clock position, this 18 karat red gold timepiece also features a pair of three-dimensional globes depicting the world’s 24 time zones across the northern and southern hemispheres. The globes, unique in watchmaking, also display the passage of day and night. Parallels will be drawn with Greubel Forsey’s GMT world timer – relaunched for 2015 – but for our money, Montblanc is poles apart. $286,000, montblanc.com MONTBLANC’S GEOSPHÈRES TIMEPIECE IS AWORLD BEATER IN EVERY SENSE Golden globes

Writer: Henry Farrar-Hockley

Montblanc’s 12-hour compass is in keeping

with the explorer theme