Skip to main content

The Manual Wind: Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Tarrarum

manual wind montblanc heritage spirit orbis tarrarum h 03
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The watch market is the place to be, or at least that is the sentiment luxury brands all share.  Names like Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren have made offerings to the watch gods but it is still to be decided if they accept.  One brand that been in the watch game for some time but it not typically equated with watches is Montblanc.  This classic producer of fine writing instruments has been trying its hand on the wrist for some years now, but over the last few years has been showing serious watchmaking prowess.  This year, they introduced some noteworthy pieces, including the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum.

1418704819090
Image used with permission by copyright holder

At a conservative 41.5mm, the perfect size for a dress watch, this world time has certainly learned from the best.  A watch of this complication will certainly resemble its competitors.  Fortunately for Montblanc, this piece has a close resemblance to the Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin world times, yet Montblanc is not quite at that level.  This piece offers the dramatic world time look of the greats for far less money.  There is great depth to this dial layering the rings of the world time.  Legibility is also very important and this piece reads quite clearly.  There is a lot of information on there, but you wont need a loop to decipher it.

Montblanc-Heritage-Spirit-Orbis-Terrarum-a-familiar-traveller-02
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Keeping all those time zones in order is a Montblanc in-house module designed solely for this timepiece.  This 42 hour power reserve movement adds the Montblanc developed worldtime to a base movement Sellita.  Modular movements tend to be thicker which is why this piece is 12mm thick.  Not too thick for a dress piece, but certainly not a Patek World time.

Recommended Videos

Available in both rose gold and steel, the Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum might be the best value world time complication on the market.  Priced at $17,000 in rose gold and a mere $6,100 in steel, this partially in house world time puts this grail complication in reach.

Ian Schwam
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Contributing writer and watch enthusiast Ian Schwam dons an expert knowledge of all things watches. Having spent a decade in…
Stylish warmth: The 5 kinds of light jackets every man needs
Stay warm and dry in the transition months
Man on a dock in a coat

There are no substitutions in your closet than the perfect light jacket to get you from the blistering summer to the frozen winter months. Between the time of year when it is warm enough that no coat is needed and the time of year when you need the heaviest you own, there are months when you need something a little lighter. There are five types of jackets that you should have in your closet that are versatile enough to keep you warm and dry no matter what the dress code is; here are our favorites and the best pics.
Military field jacket

The field jacket is one of the most iconic garments in the jacket lexicon, and you need to make sure there is one in your closet. Starting with the original design in 1941 as part of a combat uniform, it became a legendary piece for men in and out of uniform. Since then, you have likely seen it all over pop culture, including John Rambo's first appearance and on celebrities like John Lennon and Steve McQueen. Now, you can fit in with the legends when you buy your own. Our favorite choice is the James Canvas Military Jacket.

Read more
The new Hermès Arceau Robe Légère watch is a piece of art
A watch with a dial tells a beautiful story
Hermès Arceau Robe Légère

The new Hermès Arceau Robe Légère perfectly represents craftsmanship and art in a single timepiece. Everything, from the dial to the bezel, is a piece of art. One of the most eye-catching details is the horse on the dial.

Before it found its way to this magnificent watch, this piece of art was initially featured on a scarf designed by Théo de Gueltzl. Afterwards, skilled watchmakers imprinted it on the new Hermès Arceau Robe Légère watch.

Read more
A depiction of fire: The new G-shock Flame series
You'll love the new G-shock Flame series
G-shock flame series

G-shock recently announced that it is launching a new collection of timepieces featuring a flame-like dial.

And the good thing about this collection is that it comes with a strap with a smoke-like hue to complement the dial. Think of the dial as the ‘cause’ and the strap as the ‘effect’ of what’s burning.

Read more