Some watches tell time, others capture a moment in history. Montblanc's Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles belongs to the latter category, a creation that carries the echoes of candlelight, masked laughter, and music from 1745. Inspired by the legendary Yew Tree Ball hosted by King Louis XV at the Palace of Versailles, this watch is limited to eight pieces worldwide, making it rarer than the event that inspired it.
A Night Remembered Through Craft
The Yew Tree Ball was a spectacle of imagination. The king and his courtiers appeared disguised as sculpted yew trees, filling the Hall of Mirrors with grandeur. Montblanc brings that experience to life with a watch and its accompanying presentation box, designed by Elie Bleu, the Parisian cabinetmaker renowned for fine marquetry. Inside, a Reuge music box plays a melody composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau with lyrics by Voltaire, originally performed during the royal wedding festivities. As the music begins, the watch rotates slowly, reflecting light like a dancer beneath mirrored chandeliers. You might be surprised how a timepiece can evoke a sense of theatrical performance.
The Dial, a Miniature Versailles
The 18K white gold dial is a miniature homage to the Hall of Mirrors, layered with black enamel, gold paillons, and intricate marquetry. Two stones, cacholong opal and Sarrancolin marble, form arches above the parquet-style oak floor, sourced from the same quarry that supplied the original Versailles marble. Montblanc has etched chandeliers and masked revelers onto sapphire plates above the dial. On the left, one can see the yew-tree costumes, a subtle nod to the king's disguise. Compared with other historical-inspired pieces, the attention to architectural detail here is remarkable.
Telling Time the Royal Way
The sub-dial, rendered in white champlevé enamel, displays Roman numerals in blue enamel and features a sunburst motif in pure gold powder at its center, a tribute to Louis XIV, the Sun King. A 3N gold ring encircles the dial, echoing the polished brass detailing of Versailles. Instead of conventional Breguet hands, Montblanc opted for laser-cut yellow gold Baroque-style hands with an engraved brass head representing Apollo. In design language, this connects the timepiece to classical symbolism, but it also allows the wearer to feel a subtle narrative when reading the time.
Crafting History in the Case
The 44.8mm 18K yellow gold case features a hand-engraved laurel wreath on the bezel. The case band tells a historical story, inspired by François Lemoyne's painting from the Salon de la Paix, where King Louis XV extends an olive branch to Europe under the guidance of Minerva and Mercury. Inside beats the in-house MB M16.68 caliber, a manual-wind movement introduced in 2010. Its Suspended Exo Tourbillon positions the balance wheel above the cage, allowing for a larger wheel and improved precision. The movement beats at 18,800 vibrations per hour with a 50-hour power reserve. Through the sapphire case back, one can admire classical finishing, including Geneva stripes, circular graining, and anglage, which are hallmarks of haute horlogerie.
Reflections for the Collector
This watch is not for everyone, and that is part of its allure. Its aesthetic is bold, but the craftsmanship is undeniable. We think of it less as a wrist accessory and more as a bridge between centuries. You might wonder if it is best kept in its presentation box or worn to experience its waltzing display. Either way, it remains a conversation piece and a collector's treasure. Compared with other Montblanc limited editions, this model feels unusually sincere in storytelling.
For those who wish to keep such exceptional timepieces in motion, a Rotelux Watch Winder provides an elegant solution. It is a stage where automatic watches perform their nightly rotations, preserving precision and honoring mechanical artistry.