Watches & Wonders 2021: Montblanc's latest timepieces that are turning heads
Apr 12, 2021
Montblanc pulled all the stops at this year’s Watches and Wonders, launching five new timepieces, each with its own distinctive characteristics and features. Utilising the strengths of its incorporation with Minerva, Montblanc has spent the last decade integrating the work of the famed manufacture into its own story, creating some truly innovative and beautiful timepieces.
Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148
The Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 is one such novelty that marries the brands seamlessly, taking vintage cues from Minerva’s rich past. Recalling the historical design of the Minerva timepieces from the 1940s and 1950s, the Montblanc Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148 is built with the new Manufacture calibre MB M14.08, the distinctive calibre that equipped Minerva watches for decades. Watch aficionados will appreciate details such as the name of Minerva on the dial, a secret signature that adds to the watch’s timeless aesthetic.
Available in 18 carat rose or white gold, collectors can choose from vintage coloured dials in blue or burnt caramel that are produced with two different motifs – a sunray decoration in the centre and a “grainé” finish on the hour ring. In an homage to the Pythagore movement, only 148 pieces are available.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858
The newest in the Montblanc 1858 line is the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858 in a smoked brown, inspired by the colours of the desert and the spirit of adventure – specifically one adventurer in particular: Reinhold Messner. Working with Messner since 2019, Montblanc’s timepiece celebrates Messner’s record-breaking feats scaling the highest peaks throughout the world, from Everest to Denali.
Paying tribute to Messner’s 2004 trek across the Gobi desert, the timepiece unveils a unique 3D rendering of the desert’s famous Flaming Cliffs, named for its red and orange sandstone. The engraving is created using a highly technical engraving process, resulting in a photorealistic depiction of the Gobi.
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858 is also powered by the Manufacture automatic Calibre MB 29.25, a complication that displays two hemispheres for an instinctive way of reading two time zones.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18
Horophiles that love a little je ne sais quoi may delight in the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18. The watch, which is a little green and a little gold at the same time, features an all-new gold alloy blend which is composed of 18-carat gold with quantities of silver and iron. The result is a pale yellowy green hue that makes for a truly striking wristpiece and lends itself well to the piece’s overall retro military aesthetic.
The case is downsized slightly from the typical 46mm of 1930s military chronographs to a more practical 44mm, with legible hour, minute, split-second hands and tachymeter and telemeter scales, making it a very usable watch in addition to its interesting appearance. Contributing to the monochrome look, the numerals are made entirely of Super-LumiNova, a patented process that creates a stunning ‘monobloc’ shape without any outlines. With only 18 pieces available, it may also have some turning green with envy.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100
The 46 mm Minerva military monopusher from the 1930s has captivated many who visit the Manufacture in Villeret and Montblanc makes note of this with the new Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100. Every detail of this 2021 timepiece takes into account the original 1930s chronograph, from the dial to the case movement, and more, living up to its Origins namesake. Keeping key elements of the original model while integrating vintage twists, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins features a 46mm case made of a special bronze alloy that will develop an attractive patina over time, reminiscent of its predecessors.
Just like traditional pocket watches, it also has an “officer” case back to protect the movement, which also features an engraving of the Minerva Goddess. With its black dial and luminescent vintage details, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins is a modern tribute to a timeless classic.
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