TIMEWERKE

Drive de Cartier watch. Introduced in 2016, it houses Cartier’s Manufacture Calibre 1904-PS MC automatic movement and features the sweep seconds counter at six o’clock and the date display. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Elfa / Timmy. 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie.

Is the wristwatch one has on the wrist a form of communication?

That may well be the case given for example, that an expensive wristwatch is generally viewed as a status symbol.

There are those who also wear certain wristwatches as an expression of themselves and of course, those who sport them more for their time-telling functionality.

As Hollywood actress Alexandra Paul had once said: “The car we drive says a lot about us.” Alexandra Paul had starred in the TV series Baywatch (1989) as Lt Stephanie Holden and movies such as Dragnet (1987) and Spy Hard (1996).

Actually, the same can be said for shoes and wristwatches. Indeed, what one wears can actually say a lot about oneself.

What “hand signals” can be read if you spot someone wearing the Drive de Cartier wristwatch which made its debut at the 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie held in Geneva?

Firstly, this stylish cushion-shaped timepiece is masculine in looks. This watch is worn “… as a reflection of the man, rather than for status; the same applies to his passion which he steers, as he would his car, appreciating the beauty of the skills involved,” according to the brand.

We would interpret that as a gentleman who appreciates what he has and the experience it brings.

Enzo Ferrari (1898 to 1998), founder of Ferrari – the famous automobile marque with the prancing horse, had once commented: “The fact is, I don’t drive from A to B. I enjoy the car’s reactions, becoming part of it.”

For owners of Drive de Cartier watches, they probably enjoy the stylish design and the various elements it offers that have been inspired by the automobile. Of course, one must not forget that the design signature is still very much in line with the Cartier DNA.

The guilloché patterns for instance, resemble the design of a radiator grill while its domed crystal, continuous sweep seconds counter at six o’clock and winding crown are shaped like the bolt seen in automobiles. Hence the name of the collection – “Drive de Cartier”.

In a nutshell, the Drive de Cartier is what the brand describes as “… the watch of a man of passion”, one with an aptitude for style and freedom while not forgetting the appreciation of Cartier timepieces with distinctive shapes.

We can probably add that these Drive de Cartier watches are not only of distinctive shapes but of distinction.

The Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept, introduced in 2016 and dedicated to professional badminton player, Lin Dan, weighs 14.88 grams. This TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept is considered as one of the lightest mechanical watches in the world. The middle case is made of the mix between Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin and Kevlar/carbon. Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin is a composite material charged with carbon nanotubes and it is eight times lighter than steel and four times lighter than titanium. The use of such materials marks a world premiere in case-making. Photo: © Montblanc.

What are the common denominators between the Yonex Voltric 8 Lin Dan Exclusive (VT8LD) badminton racket, the Yonex Lin Dan SHB 40 edition shoes and Montblanc’s TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept watch?

Firstly, all three are linked to the perhaps one of the greatest singles players in badminton history, Lin Dan.

Nicknamed “Super Dan” in 2004 by Peter Gade, a professional badminton player who has since retired from the sport, Lin Dan is the only singles player to have won all nine major titles in the badminton sport.

This “super grand slam” was achieved in 2011 when he was 28 years old. The nine major titles being the All England Open, Asian Games, Asian Championships, Thomas Cup, World Championships, Olympic Games, Sudirman Cup, Super Series Masters Finals and the World Cup.

This is reportedly the first ever “Super Grand Slam” in badminton history.

Lin Dan is also a five-time champion at the BWF World Championships (also known as the World Badminton Championships and formerly, the IBF World Championships), having secured wins in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

Secondly and most importantly, the Yonex Lin Dan Exclusive badminton racket, Lin Dan SHB 40 edition shoes and the Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept watch are all lightweight.

Lin Dan, nicknamed “Super Dan”, is regarded as one of the greatest singles players in badminton history. In 2014, he became the Montblanc’s ambassador in China. The Montblanc Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept is dedicated to Lin Dan. Photo: © Montblanc.

In December 2014, Super Dan was appointed the Montblanc Ambassador in China. He subsequently became the inspiration for the brand’s TimeWalker collection.

The Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept, which is super light (pun intended), weighing in at a surprising 14.88 grams, is dedicated to Super Dan.

This has allowed Montblanc to stake its claim with the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept as one of the lightest mechanical watches in the world.

What’s more, the weight of the movement is 4.73 grams, accounting for 32% of the overall weight of the watch.

Montblanc’s Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept is dedicated to their brand ambassador Lin Dan.

What “weight loss” secret did Montblanc’s TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light undergo?

The “secret” lies in the use of ITR² and Kevlar, both of which are registered trademarks. ITR² refers to Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin, a composite material charged with carbon nanotubes.

Only a few manufacturers can produce such a material, let alone make watchcases from it, as highlighted by Montblanc. The point to note is that Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin is eight times lighter than steel and four times lighter than titanium.

By combining the Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin with Kevlar/carbon, what results is a highly resistant synthetic fibre, offering robustness.

The Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin with Kevlar/carbon mix is used for the middle case, case back, bezel and crown of this 40mm diameter watch.

The use of such materials marks a world premiere in case-making.

The horns (lugs) are in black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) titanium. By skeletonizing the horns which have been satin-finished, there is further weight reduction. The black DLC coating enhances scratch-resistance.

The red circle seen on the front is made of Innovative, Technical Revolutionary Resin. Red is appropriate as that is also the main colour on the flag of Lin Dan’s country-of-birth, China.

The use of mineral glass on the dial side and on the case back is yet another “weight-loss” factor.

Actually, the most obvious method of shedding weight can be immediately visualized and that is the absence of a dial and the presence of the skeletonized movement.

The continuous sweep seconds anthracite sub-dial at six o’clock, made of super-light anodized aluminium, is also skeletonized for more weight reduction.

Inside the TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept is the new Montblanc Calibre MB M62.48 manual-winding movement featuring 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The movement design is inspired by the historic Minerva Pythagore movement – the Minerva Calibre 48. The skeletonized mainplate and five bridges on the new Calibre MB M62.48 are made of lightweight titanium. The movement weighs 4.73 grams. Photo: © Montblanc

The TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept is powered by the new Montblanc Calibre MB M62.48 manual-winding movement. The design of the movement is inspired by the historic Minerva Pythagore movement – the Minerva Calibre 48.

The skeletonized mainplate and five bridges on the new Calibre MB M62.48 are made of lightweight titanium. The movement weighs 4.73 grams.

THE ART OF TIME

Drive de Cartier: Hand signals

Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept: Super Dan, Super Light