Montblanc and luxurious fountain pens are virtually synonyms, so when the model launched its first watch assortment in 1997, it named it after considered one of its well-known pens, the Meisterstück. Nonetheless, a recognisable title doesn’t translate into watchmaking credentials. To show that watchmaking was going to be taken severely, in 2007, Montblanc purchased the Minerva manufacture, a fabled producer of chronographs and stopwatches based in 1858 in Villeret. Digging into Minerva’s wealthy archives, Montblanc has taken inspiration from a 42mm navy monopusher rattrapante chronograph from the Nineteen Thirties for its new 1858 Break up Second Chronograph. Past the engaging retro options of the case and dial, the fantastic thing about this watch lies in its motion, a high-end, hand-finished motion primarily based on a historic Minerva calibre.
Break up-second chronographs, or rattrapantes, signify the summit of the chronograph pyramid. The great thing about a split-second chronograph is its capacity to measure intermediate occasions with out interrupting the continuing measurement of an extended elapsed time. A press of the pusher concurrently deploys the 2 chronograph seconds arms. When the second pusher (at 2 o’clock right here) is pressed once more, one of many two arms stops to point the intermediate time, whereas the opposite one continues its journey. Press the pusher once more and the extra hand “catches” (rattraper) the principle one.
In comparison with the consolidated classic spirit of the habillage, the big dimensions of this watch – 44mm diameter x 15.2mm thickness – would possibly strike some as totally modern. Its dimension, nonetheless, is straight linked to its massive MB 16.31 manual-winding motion, impressed by Minerva’s pocket watch calibres of the final century.
The 44mm chrome steel case has a hard and fast white gold fluted bezel, a signature Minerva design aspect since 1927. Sporting brushed finishes on the highest surfaces and case flanks, the one polished space is on the bevel working the size of the case. The monopusher is built-in into the fluted crown, and the rounded rectangular pusher for the cut up seconds is at 2 o’clock.
The good-looking, darkish burgundy background color of the dial has a sunburst end, producing completely different nuances of purple relying on the sunshine. Just like the Nineteen Thirties navy chronograph, a tachymeter scale (base 1000) is positioned on the bezel, adopted by a precision minutes/seconds monitor, printed in white for distinction. The sub-dial at 3 o’clock shows elapsed occasions of half-hour, and the small seconds are featured at 9 o’clock; each counters have black backgrounds and white printing.
Though the Arabic hour numerals are handled with white luminescent materials, it’s odd that the hour and minute arms aren’t. To create a distinction between the 4 central arms, the 2 chronograph seconds arms are lacquered white, just like the hand within the chronograph sub-dial. The previous Montblanc brand and the Minerva signature are printed on the dial, which is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal for an additional classic contact.
Featured on an earlier monopusher rattrapante mannequin, the calibre MB hand-wound MB 16.31 goes to be the standout function for a lot of. As traditional as they arrive, the big pocket watch-inspired motion measures 38.4mm throughout and has a thickness of 8.13mm – sure, that’s in regards to the dimension of a skinny elegant watch… Impressed by Minerva’s pocket watch calibre 19-09 CH from 1909 (42.15mm x 7.60mm) and its successor, the 17-29 (37.9mm x 5.85mm) developed within the Nineteen Thirties, the motion is a magnificence to behold.
Fitted with two column wheels – one for the chronograph, one for the cut up seconds – and horizontal coupling, the motion is produced and hand-decorated with haute horlogerie finishes within the previous Minerva manufacturing facility in Villeret. Different options, such because the V-shaped bridge, protected in 1912, the trademark arrowhead on the tip of the chronograph hammer (impressed by the goddess Minerva’s spear) and the big steadiness wheel with 18 screws beating at a leisurely 18,000 vibrations per hour, have been options of its historic forebears. The motion’s bridges and mainplate are product of rhodium-plated German silver (maillechort) and completed with conventional Côtes de Genève and round graining. To face out towards the anthracite and silver colored parts, the going practice is gold-plated.
The 1858 Break up Second Chronograph Burgundy is a restricted version of 100 items. It’s paired with a darkish, burgundy-toned interchangeable leather-based strap with alligator print and a metal triple-folding clasp with superb adjustment. It retails for CHF 47,500 or EUR 55,000.
Extra info at Montblanc.com.
