For 2020, Montblanc affords an fascinating new restricted version of its Montblanc 1858 household (and from Montblanc Minerva manufacturing facility) that mixes outdated and new. The watch is the Montblanc 1858 Break up-Second Chronograph Restricted Version 100 (reference 126006), and it introduces a sporty execution of this sometimes extra conservative, traditional-style timepiece. Whereas the impressed, in-house-made split-second monopusher-controlled chronograph motion isn’t new, housing it in a titanium case is, together with the enticing “icy blue” dial and orange-colored accents that Montblanc devised for this explicit restricted version — and a colour theme (at the least the blues) that we are going to discover in different new Montblanc watches for this 12 months.
Break up-second chronographs are among the many extra elite of the high-complication mechanical watches on the market, not as a result of sheer complexity however extra associated to the ability and time required to assemble them. That mentioned, they don’t add an excessive amount of performance given as we speak’s trendy digital devices. The Montblanc Minerva Swiss Made caliber MB M16.31 manually wound motion is why somebody involves this timepiece’s present, and it’s displayed by way of the rear of the watch in its fully-decorated glory. The bold-sized case is 44mm-wide and 14.5mm-thick, however will probably be naturally mild on the wrist because of the grade 5 titanium case materials. The dial’s deep blue is produced from a standard grand feu enameling approach, which ought to make this watch face actually visually pop in individual.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Montblanc
Mannequin: 1858 Break up-Second Chronograph Restricted Version 100 reference 126006
Dimensions: 44mm-wide
Case Materials: grade 5 titanium
Crystal/Lens: sapphire
Motion: Montblanc Minerva MB M16.31
Frequency: 2.5Hz (18,000 bpm)
Energy Reserve: 50 hours
Strap/Bracelet: blue Sfumato Italian alligator strap
Value & Availability: $36,000 USD
ANALYSIS
For a variety of years now, Richemont’s Montblanc has formulated and reformulated its watch division. The corporate went from primarily producing writing devices to watches, together with a bunch of different items together with leather-based objects and fragrances. On the prime of horological ladder at Montblanc are its “Montblanc Minerva” watches, produced on the former Minerva manufacturing facility (owned by Montblanc) in Villeret, Switzerland. Montblanc has experimented with its Minerva manufacturing facility watches being ultra-complex exotics all the way down to good outdated style retro-style watches such because the Montblanc 1858 Break up Second Chronograph — solely they’re edging in a extra trendy and trendy route with the “ice blue” version.
Even at 100 items, this can be a good product given its worth level, however few will argue that Montblanc has something however a really special-looking and satisfying watches given the timeless design. Montblanc is fully channeling the attraction of long-obsolete chronograph timing watches, of the sort as soon as produced by Minerva, which might be as we speak higher embellished and given a bunch of luxurious trimmings reminiscent of a designer dial and watch strap. The fashionability of this conventional design with its shiny blue dial apart, watch collectors can rally round the great thing about the motion and the rarity of a split-second chronograph. That mentioned, given its prestigious price and the fragile nature of simply such a motion, I feel the precise sportiness of this watch will probably be aspirational at finest, provided that most individuals sporting one in every of these $35,000-plus limited-edition watches will hardly need to get them moist or the titanium case scratched.
SUMMARY
In all, this can be a superbly discreet and friendly-looking high-luxury timepiece for these collectors who like the thought of flying beneath the radar and personally appreciating the view of the motion after they take the watch off of their wrist. The big titanium case is well-finished and doubtless mild on the wrist, and the dial a paragon of excellence from a forgotten age, rendered for fanatics as we speak. Almost nobody dealing with one in every of these watches will use the break up second chronograph for something however amusement, however that’s the advantage of with the ability to afford yesterday’s scientific device as as we speak’s fidgeting instrument. I’m undecided that this watch alone will additional promote the attraction of Montblanc’s prestigious Montblanc 1858 assortment members from Villeret, but it surely ought to hold followers of the timepiece household occupied whereas Montblanc and the remainder of the watch trade determines what markets will probably be most keen on their watches within the coming 12 months. Accessible for $36,000 USD on the model’s web site.
