Montblanc celebrates the splendour of Versailles and one of history’s most extravagant evenings with the Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles Limited Edition. This extraordinary timepiece captures the opulence of the 1745 Yew Tree Ball (Le Bal des Ifs), where King Louis XV, disguised as a sculpted yew, mingled with his guests to court the future Marquise de Pompadour.
Every element of the watch reflects the grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors. The dial, with a base fashioned from 18kt white gold, combines champlevé enamel, hand-painted details, marquetry in oak and marble from the original Versailles quarry, and etchings on sapphire to recreate the candlelit splendour of that storied night. The chandeliers and masked revellers are laser-engraved into sapphire plates, adding depth and a dreamlike transparency that recalls the engravings of Charles-Nicolas Cochin I, who immortalised the ball in 1746.
At 12 o’clock, a champlevé enamel subdial displays the time in Roman numerals, framed by a gold ring echoing the polished brass of Versailles. Seventeenth-century Baroque clocks inspire the hands, while a miniature Apollo head, a tribute to the Sun King, caps the central arbour. Beneath this artistry beats Montblanc’s patented Suspended Exo Tourbillon calibre MB M16.68, developed over three years at the manufacture in Villeret. Its architecture positions the balance wheel outside the tourbillon cage, reducing size while enhancing precision and showcasing the mechanism’s hypnotic rotation. You’ll need a loupe magnifier to admire all the detail.
The 44.8 mm case, in 18kt yellow gold, features intricate hand-engraving inspired by François Lemoyne’s painting of Louis XV offering an olive branch to Europe, with Minerva and Mercury symbolising peace and creative mastery. Minerva is both the namesake of Montblanc’s historical manufacture and the Roman goddess of arts, war, and justice.
Each of the eight pieces is paired with a handcrafted music box created by Parisian cabinetmaker Elie Bleu and Swiss specialist Reuge, playing a melody composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau for the royal wedding festivities.At the touch of an external trigger, the music begins to play, and the watch slowly rotates, as if waltzing through the great masquerade of 1745. The scene is set on a miniature parquet floor of genuine oak, encircled by marble arches. On the walnut exterior, the scene of Le Bal des Ifs is laser-etched — a hallmark of Montblanc’s meticulous craftsmanship.
The Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Château de Versailles unites history, innovation, and artistry in a magnificent tribute to the grandeur of Versailles.
