With its new Heritage Chronométrie Collection Montblanc is ready to go for new horizons. Discover the entire collection as presented here in Geneva at the SIHH 2015 by clicking on “read more”…
Montblanc says … The Heritage Chronométrie Collection unites fundamental virtues of fine watchmaking, the best Swiss craftsmanship, and Montblanc’s own tradition. These are reflected in refined, elegantly puristic cases and innovative mechanisms.”
Montblanc did choose the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama to give its new collection a name.
I asked why?
Montblanc told me: … Vasco da Gama’s pioneering spirit and skilful navigation inspired Montblanc to create a new watch collection which connects the Portuguese explorer’s obsession with precision and the roots of fine watchmaking. Precision, which has always been the paramount goal of watchmaking, has become synonymous with the French word “chronométrie”, i.e. highly accurate time measurement. This heritage of fine watchmaking provided the name for the new Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection. A special edition of the timepieces in this series bears Vasco da Gama’s name and pays homage to this outstanding discoverer. The distinctive cruciform constellation in the sky above the Southern Hemisphere also plays an essential role …
But it is not only Vasco da Gama who inspired Montblanc to create this new collection; it is also the heritage of Minerva. I am sure you all know that Montblanc bought the manufacturer a couple of years ago and integrated it under its roof.
So I asked Montblanc: What was Minerva´s input to the new Heritage Chronométrie Collection?
This is what I was told:
…. In the course of its 157-year history, Minerva in Villeret distinguished itself as a specialist in one of the Swiss watchmaking industry’s most important traditions: namely, chronometric functions, especially chronographs and stopwatches. Important developments that originated in Villeret include Calibre 13/20, which debuted in the early 1920s as one of the first chronograph calibres developed especially for use in wristwatches, and the hundredth-of-a-second stopwatch, which was unveiled in 1936. This dedication to precise time measurement and the necessarily associated mastery of various frequencies enabled Minerva to set itself apart at an early date as a leading expert in the fabrication of its own balances and hairsprings. The Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret upholds and continues this tradition today. This same heritage also inspired Montblanc to develop the movements for the Heritage Chronométrie Collection. But Minerva’s history also provides another great role model: the “Pythagore”, which Minerva debuted in the 1950s. This model encased either 10½-ligne hand-wound Calibre 48, which was developed in 1948 and displayed the seconds on a subdial, or 10½-ligne hand-wound Calibre 49 with a sweep second-hand. Its design codes, which epitomized classical Swiss fine watchmaking, serves today as the inspiration and basis for the design of the Heritage Chronométrie Collection. Leaving nothing to chance, the cases too have been refined in every detail: they have satin-finished and polished surfaces, a low overall height and slim appeal, a stepped bezel with a flat surface, and rounded horns with characteristic facets. The crown bears a relief engraving of Montblanc’s distinctive emblem. A sunburst or “grainé” pattern embellishes the dials, which celebrates their chronometric heritage with a precisely legible minute scale double facetted applied indexes and timelessly styled Arabic numerals. Facetted word-shaped hands complete the harmonious picture and assure clear readability of the various functions in the spirit of Swiss “chronométrie” …
Listen to my conversation with Alexander Schmiedt, Montblanc´s watch director, taped yesterday Sunday here in Geneva. Alexander will explain you everything about this new gorgeous Montblanc-collection…
This was the Montblanc-timepiece he was wearing today…
Let us now discover the new Heritage Chronométrie Collection on the next pages you will find the following SIHH-novelties …
Page 1: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time
Page 2: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph
Thereafter the Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Vasco da Gama Limited Editions…
Page 3: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco da Gama Limited Edition 60
Page 4: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Annuel Vasco da Gama
Page 5: Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Complet Vasco da Gama
Page 6: Montblanc Laboratory Test 500
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Dual Time
Ident. 112540
Movement Calibre MB 29.19 (Sellita + in-house Manufacture complication)
Type of movement Mechanical movement with automatic winding, second time zone and day/night display
Number of rubies 34
Power reserve Approx. 42 hours
Balance Flat hoop
Frequency 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring Flat
Displays Local time: central hours and minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, second time zone in the centre and at 12 o’clock with 24-hour display and a day/night indication Date window at 3 o’clock
Special features In-house-developed complication with rapid adjustment of the local time in hourly steps, date linked to local time with date change either forward or backward, home time, minutes and seconds continue to run during local-time adjustment
Habillage
Case Polished stainless steel case, polished and satin-finished bezel
Crystal Scratch-resistant, domed and antireflective sapphire crystal
Back Stainless steel with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions Diameter = 41 mm; height = 9.97 mm
Watertightness 3 bar
Crown Stainless steel with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Dial Silvery white dial with sunburst pattern, facetted indexes, Arabic numeral “12” as rhodium-plated appliqués, rhodium-plated sword-shaped hour-hand and minute-hand, blued steel hour-hand for the second time zone, the 24 hour and the day-night indicators, rhodium-plated small seconds, date shown in a window
Wristband Black alligator-skin strap crafted at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence with stainless steel triple folding clasp
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500
Price 3’990 euros
Though Montblanc is the finest writing instrument manufacturer in the world, they should be regarded as serious watchmakers now, as some of the watches that they have crated are truly outstanding.
Thank you for your nice report and fantastic pictures!
Alexander, as ever, great Job in introcing the SIHH neovelties to us. A big thank you !
After going through, for me Montblanc is THE sensation of the SIHH. Excellent watchmaking for unbeleavable prices. Right for those days in the economy, perfectly right. Well done, Jerome Lambert!
Thanks!
An Exo Tourbillon with seconds stop for 38.000 Euros? I am getting weak… But the Aventurine dial version is also very seductive.