T
here can’t be many superyacht captains
these days who rely on a gimbal-mounted
ship’s chronometer to help them navigate
their precious vessels from A to B – but
there are plenty of owners who appreciate the
presence of some old-school clockwork on board,
even if only for decorative purposes.
Last October, we brought you news of British
maker Bremont’s B2 Marine, a superb, £55,000 ship’s
chronometer being made in an edition of 10 and
featuring three time zones, 30 days of power reserve,
a 90-day chronograph and a gold-plated movement.
And at this year’s annual SIHH watch show
in Geneva, German brand Montblanc (best
known for its pens and leather goods,
but nowadays a serious luxury
watchmaker, too) unveiled
a super-premium ship’s
timepiece in the form of a
tourbillon pocket watch
paired with a gimbal-mounted
chronometer – handsomely
priced at €399,000.
Developed in conjunction with
renowned clockmaker Erwin Sattler,
the chronometer sits in a 93cm tall
housing mounted on a granite base- the entire unit weighing in at 120kg.
The hand-wound clock, which will run continuously
for up to 15 days, measures 15cm in diameter and
shows the hours, minutes and seconds in 24 time
zones simultaneously.
The clock is suspended inside a nickel-plated
brass cage (the gimbal) ensuring it remains
horizontal and keeps the correct time in the
choppiest of seas. Indeed, a scale marked from zero
to 27 degrees shows to what extent its ship is heeling.
A dedicated compartment in the so-called
Navigator unit has been set aside to store the
accompanying 60mm tourbillon pocket watch.
Made from white gold with a matching chain,
the watch has the look of a 19th century piece
and features black enamelling, intricate
engraving and a heavily fluted
winding crown. It, too, is gimbal-
mounted and shows additional
time zone readings through
similar, globe-shaped sub dials.
So, do you really need this
unique and extravagantly priced
Navigator? Of course not. But isn’t
that the very definition of luxury?
Montblanc Collection Villeret Tourbillon
Cylindrique Pocket Watch and
Navigator 110 Years Edition,
€399,000, montblanc.comGimbal wizard
Montblanc has gone back in (super accurate) time with
this handsome ship’s chronometer, says Simon de Burton
Style
Californian brand
Dita celebrates its
20th anniversary
this year with the
Decade-Two, a
reboot of the classic
aviator. Choose
from black and gold
or silver and gold
colourways or go
all out with the
18kt gold-plate
limited editions.
Decade-Two, £800,
limited edition
£1,000, dita.comFuture’s so
bright...
Check out two shades
of super-cool sunglassesSubstance
Onboard accessories
are in constant
danger of being lost
overboard. Which is
where Swole Panda
comes in. Created
from bamboo, its
sunglasses are
sustainable and
stylish – and they
float, too.
Bamboo sunglasses,
from £79.99,
swolepanda.comBOAT LIFE
The clock is
suspended inside
a brass cage,
ensuring it keeps the
correct time in the
choppiest of seas