Montblanc quietly released the third iteration of the complicated and highly exclusive Metamorphosis collection at SIHH 2019, which officially named as the ref. 118832 Montblanc Star Legacy Metamorphosis Limited Edition 8, but in brief, we can call it the “Metamorphosis 3” or “Star Legacy Metamorphosis” watch. Produced in-house at the Montblanc Minerva facility in Switzerland, the Metamorphosis replica watches are famous for the opening and closing shutter system on the dial that transforms the face into something else magically, often revealing or hiding additional complications. How amazing it sounds!
At first, the original Montblanc Timewriter 1 Metamorphosis from 2010 (on aBlogtoWatch here) was a sporty timepiece with a chronograph complication. After four years, the Montblanc Metamorphosis II (on aBlogtoWatch here) was completed with the same movement and a more classic-style design. For 2019, Montblanc has essentially changed the underlying movement with the Metamorphosis 3, designed the product within the Legacy Star collection, and more or less, just remained the metamorphosis shutter system for the dial, which makes this watch the first truly new Metamorphosis product in about ten years. Although the case retains its wearable, its 50mm-wide diameter is surprisingly big.
With the 50mm-wide, 18. 9mm-thick 18k white-gold case and water resistant to 30 meters, the Star Legacy Metamorphosis is undoubtedly a hefty watch, but it looks very fit and doesn’t feel like a monster on your arm. What should be noticed is that, in the Star Legacy Metamorphosis, as well as other higher-end Montblanc watches, it’s mother-of-pearl that the Montblanc star logo in the crown is done in. Additionally, on the left side of case is a minute repeater-style sliding lever, the lever is not for a minute repeater, but rather the tool used to activate the dial metamorphosis system.  
From the clear image, you can see the watch dial in both “closed” and “open” form. This is indeed an admirable job designing this concept within the Star Legacy collection by Montblanc, which mostly includes the hands and hour markers (that I’ve always liked as put together). The anthracite-colored dial has some guilloche engraving on it, as well as the applied hour markers and bridge-style structure that makes it look classic. When the dial presents “closed,” you can see the balance wheel at the top of the dial, an off-centered display for the hours and minutes, and a small hand-painted globe that rotates once each 24 hours. Moreover, when viewing the hour marker scale around the globe you can also approximately see the time in other time zones.
Personally you’ll get an even better view when choose to open the dial. It’s the first time that Montblanc now incorporates their “exo tourbillon” system into a Metamorphosis product. This exotic tourbillon is one in which the balance wheel sits on top of the tourbillon cage (as opposed to within it). Actually, the balance wheel even sits on top of the seconds hand, which exists as part of the 6o-second tourbillon assembly. I find a final impressive detail is the use of a sapphire crystal segment to complete the bridge over the tourbillon.
If you observe the left of exo tourbillon, you’ll see a small opening, which is actually an indicator for the date. I really prefer how they find ways of adding new complications in there. Another impressive thing is the opening on the bottom of the dial that offers a space-like view around the painted half-globe. Surprisingly, here you will also find an additional complication in the form of a moon phase indicator, which uses a small sphere that not only shows the phase of the moon (as observed from earth), but also the relative position of the moon around the earth. The small orrery display looks pretty beautiful, with painted starts on an aventurine disc. I’m a crazy enthusiast for these spacey displays, and it looks incredible as rendered.
Montblanc-manufactured caliber MB M67. 60 is the movement inside the Star Legacy Metamorphosis Limited Edition 8. Produced at Montblanc Minvera in Villeret, the manually wound movement operates at 2. 5Hz (18,800 bph) with a power reserve of around 50 hours. The metamorphosis system is powered by the action of sliding the case’s side level, therefore, it doesn’t impact the mainspring’s power at all. As I said above, the movement is consisted of 718 hand-finished parts, via the rear of the case you can get an additional view of the movement.
Priced at $223,500 USD, with exotic and exo tourbillon-equipped, either in technicality or aesthetics aspect, Montblanc’s latest mega-timepiece doesn’t let you down. Collectors in the know will agree that almost few company releases anything like this, allowing Montblanc to earn a bit of excellent reputation for this timepiece. That is to say, incredible rarities like the ref. 118832 Montblanc Star Legacy Metamorphosis Limited Edition 8 replica watch can also be introduced if enough more conservative collectors open up their minds slightly and realize that a brand selling items in mainstream department stores. However, it’s undoubtedly an awesome piece!