HANDS-ON: The Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph in red gold with brown dial

Felix Scholz

Last week, I was in the mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming with Montblanc. And while I’ll have to wait until SIHH 2018 to share most of the watches I’ve seen with you (totally worth it, by the way), I did spot one smooth new variation of this year’s sporty TimeWalker Chronograph that I can tell you about.

This new version amps up the prestige with a solid red gold case with a satin treatment, paired with a deep, dark chocolate brown sunburst dial and matching ceramic bezel. On the dial it’s lovely, but it really sings thanks to the contrasting gold tone hands, hour markers and totaliser rings, along with a few bright red details, like that Minerva arrow-tipped Chronograph seconds hand.

While the regular TimeWalker Chronograph, released earlier this year, is every inch the automotive-inspired sports watch, this new look is less utilitarian and far more luxurious. It’s also incredible to wear on the wrist, as any stray beam of light sets the gloss ceramic bezel alight, adds to the lustre of the dial, or simply suffuses the case with a heavy golden hue. Aside from being one of the most delicious-looking 43mm watches I’ve seen in a goodly while, it also hints at what sort of colourful future might be in store for the TimeWalker line.

Montblanc TimeWalker Automatic Chronograph (ref 117211) Australian pricing

Montblanc TimeWalker Automatic Chronograph, red gold with brown dial, $29,150