Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer Counter Limited Edition
Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer Counter
2017 GPHG Sports Category Finalist
A wristwatch, pocket watch, stopwatch, a desktop timepiece, or even a dashboard timer, the TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer Counter by Montblanc is a versatile and complex tribute to an historic sports timer.
Taking inspiration from the famous Minerva Rally Timer stopwatch of the 1950s and '60s, as owner and guardian of the watchmaking brand, Montblanc has created a superb modern interpretation, with the same magnificent manufacture movement which took the honours in the 2016 Chronograph category, while still retaining all of the vintage character of the original.
A relatively narrow bezel means an expansive dial area, and laid out and marked like a stopwatch, the addition of hour and minute hands and small constant seconds at the six, are the only visible technical developments from the original.
At 50mm it is a massive wristwatch, yet with its top mounted crown and integrated chronograph pusher, the proportions of the TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer Counter are kept in check, but it's not only designed for wearing, and thanks to its very cleverly engineered case it can be rotated through 180° whilst on the wrist for comfort or legibility, it can be stripped of its strap entirely with the lugs folding away, and stood upright on pop-out legs, it can slot into a dashboard mounting or be used as a hand held stopwatch.
Powering this magnificent beast, the hand winding Manufacture Calibre MB M16.29 mechanical movement is pure Minerva, with its serpentine levers and bridges exposing the mechanical workings and the pulsing regulating assembly within.
With so many possible applications, it's certainly the most versatile piece among the six preselected finalists in the GPHG 2017 Sport category. It also boasts a genuine link to motor sport as the original Rally Timer was much used in action before computers took over.
But will it win?
The Watch Press prediction
No. In terms of having a sporting heritage the high octane DNA of the TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer Counter is ingrained. However, even though it is many things and is practical too, I'm thinking that as mentioned above, Montblanc did win the Chronograph award only last year with essentially the same ingredients, and I would be surprised were it to do so twice in succession.
The pertinents
REFERENCE: 116103
CASE: Titanium
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
BUCKLE: Pin buckle
MOVEMENT: Hand winding mechanical. Power reserve: 50 h, 18'000 vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph,
SIZE: ø 50 mm
THICKNESS: 15.2 mm
WATERPROOFNESS: 30 m
PRICE EXCL.VAT: CHF 33'240
