Montblanc has released a three-piece special edition of its watches named Carpe Diem. Each of three timekeepers that originate from the Star collection is equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement and has the same basic appearance which is best described as elegant and classic. Some of the shared visual traits present on three novelties are stainless steel cases, as well as similar looking silverfish-white colored dials with central guilloche patterns and black accents. Unfortunately, apart from the name “Special Edition Carpe Diem”, these watches are not so distinctive or special since they are basically just cosmetically altered variations of the previously existing models. In two of the instances, this “specialty” is restricted to the use of different colored seconds hand (all watches from this edition are with red seconds hands). Even though they are not too much unlike the regular Montblanc models, the three watches are to say the least pretty respectable, mostly due to the use of automatic calibers. The Carpe Diem trio of timekeeperswhich was unveiled at the recently held Watches and Wonders fair in Hong Kong includes: UTC Automatic Chronograph, Full Calendar piece and the simplest and smallest three-hands Date Automatic timekeeper.
Montblanc Star Special Edition Carpe Diem UTC Chronograph Watch
The Shared Traits of the Carpe Diem Timekeepers
Before examining each of the models in detail, we should point out many of their matching characteristics. As we have already pointed out, one of those is the presence of a round stainless steel housing that allows water resistance to 30 meters. The next shared trait on the list is the presence of an automatic mechanical ETA-based movement modified by Montblanc. All three watches’ movements are constructed with a flat hairspring and operate at the frequency of 4 Hz (28,800). Apart from the technical common points, there are quite a few shared visual traits. They include a silver colored dial with a nice central guilloche motif, the presence of black Roman numerals, blued steel hands – feuille (leaf) and baton-shaped, as well as a red central seconds hand. Each of three Special Edition Carpe Diem models has a steel crown with the brand’s logo in noble resin. Finally, they all have a domed sapphire crystal with glare-proofed coating.
UTC Automatic Chronograph Carpe Diem
The first of three novelties is UTC Automatic Chronograph timekeeper (with the reference number 110704) which has suffered the least amount changes to enter this special edition, since it only has a different colored second hand when compared to its basic version. This timepiece runs with the help of its MB 4810/503 caliber with 25 jewels, while its power reserve measures to 46 hours. When the supported functions are concerned, they include a chronograph (with 12-hour, 30-minute and small seconds counters of which the latter one features a nice guilloche motif in the shape of the brand’s logo), a date display (at the three o’clock position) and a second time zone. The latter feature is indicated in 24-hour format and via the central hand which points to the scale located at the perimeter of the dial. Montblanc Star Special Edition Carpe Diem timepiece has a round case with the diameter of 42 mm and the height of 14.72 mm. This watch is paired with a black alligator leather strap which locks with a triple-folding clasp made from steel.
Full Calendar Automatic Carpe Diem
The second timekeeper in the Special Edition Carpe Diem set is called Full Calendar. The timepiece with the reference 110703 is also known as Quantième Complet which is the name of its main complication in French. This watch was unveiled at the start of the year at the SIHH 2013 in the red gold case version. Though very elegant and lovely looking with “full calendar” indications for date, day of the week, month and moon phases, the watch is not as complex as the first look would suggest. Despite having all these indications, the movement does not have the ability to differentiate whether it is a 30 or a 31-day long month (let alone whether it is a common or a leap year), which is why it requires monthly manual adjustments which are executed via hidden pushers and a special tool that comes along with the watch. Unlike the watches with a perpetual calendar complication which tend to have the same displays (however this is not universal since some of these extreme complex watches can in a way hide its complexity) featured in the Montblanc newcomer, this one is not simply intricate enough to keep track of the months (and years) of different lengths. However, since perpetual calendar is extremely hard to construct, these watches also have a very steep price which is often expressed in tens of thousands of dollars which puts them out of reach of most watch aficionados. Montblanc Star Special Edition Carpe Diem Full Calendar can be seen as a cheaper alternative to these costly timekeepers, even though itself likewise has a pretty solid price tag of around $5,100.
Montblanc Star Special Edition Carpe Diem Full Calendar Watch
It should be said that even though it is not a proper perpetual calendar, this watch is a very respectable timepiece since it has a self-winding mechanical movement that comes as a strong basis which is topped with the inclusion of a nice looking dial with a guilloche pattern. In this instance, the used caliber is MB 4810/912 with 25 jewels and a power storage that lasts for 42 hours. As for the manner of display of its full calendar indications enabled with its automatic movement, we should say that the date is shown via the crescent-tipped central hand, day of the week and month indications are shown in two apertures at the top of the face, while the moon phase display lays at the six o’clock position. Just like the first model, this one also has a black alligator-skin wristlet that fastens with a steel triple-folding clasp.
Automatic Carpe Diem
The last of three Montblanc novelties from the Star Special Edition Carpe Diem is a three-hands automatic model, by all means the least complex in the trio (as it is the case with the UTC Chronograph timekeeper, this one already exists in the brand’s “regular” offer in the practically same version, excluding the color of the seconds hand). Apart from indications for hours, minutes and seconds, it only has a date display aperture at the traditional position. It is the smallest model in the edition with the diameter of 39 mm and the thickness of 9.95 mm. Its restrained dimensions give the watch an even more classical vibe which is already present throughout the Carpe Diem issue. The timekeeper runs on MB 4810/409 caliber with 25 jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours. Unlike the previous models, it can be coupled with two different types of attachment. The variation with the same kind of wristlet as the two previous ones (a black alligator strap) has the reference number 110705, while the steel bracelet that locks with a triple-folding clasp from steel bears the identification 111090.
Montblanc Star Special Edition Carpe Diem Automatic Steel Watch
Despite the “Special Edition” part in the name of these Carpe Diem timekeepers, there are no indications that the watches will be released in a restricted number.
