Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100
Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100
2017 GPHG Chronograph Category Finalist
Brimming over with old-time detail and beautiful finishing, the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100 returns with its authentic vintage style and the charms of a bygone era of watchmaking to the GPHG in Geneva.
So what have we got?
This is a watch which would bring a tear to your grandfather's eye. It's old school looks are so convincing that if we were told it was a 1930s original, it would come as no surprise at all. The warm tones of its brushed bronze case are complemented by the pale champagne sunburst dial, with its base two-subdial layout with clear tachymetre markings and large numerals, which like the gorgeous cathedral style hands are coated with beige Super Luminova. The monopusher which is integrated into the crown operates the chrono seconds and a 30-minute counter at the 3 o'clock position, with the constant small seconds across at the 9.
Through the sapphire caseback a spectacle awaits, as inside sits the unmistakable artistic form of the Minerva the M16.29 manual winding movement which has taken inspiration from their 1930s pocket watch calibre and updated it in a faithful reproduction with exquisite hand finishing and decoration throughout.
How does it stack up/competition
As ever, the competition is obviously formidable in the 2017 GPHG Chronograph category, and there are a couple of aliens which stand a strong chance of upsetting the apple cart. In fact I think it's hard to see past the Fabergé and the Singer Reimagined for outright honours here, but best of the rest in my opinion is this 41mm beauty. The monopusher arrangement gives it a un-chronograph-like appearance, unlike the TAG Heuer and the Longines, so it's less obvious than that pair.
However, and this is a big however, the winner of this 2016 Chronograph award was none other than a certain 1858 Chronograph Tachymetre by Montblanc, which is essentially the same watch as this year's, so the chances of the same watch winning the same award two years running? I do not think so.
So will the jury be won over by its vintage appeal?
The Watch Press Prediction: No. It's gorgeous, but Montblanc's almost identical watch won this same category last year, which I think will rule it out early on, and in any case I feel that the name on this years category award will be one which is new to the watch world.
The pertinents
REFERENCE: 116243
CASE: Bronze
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
BUCKLE: Pin buckle
MOVEMENT: Manual winding mechanical. Power reserve: 50 h, 18'000 vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph
SIZE: ø 44 mm
THICKNESS: 13.1 mm
WATERPROOFNESS: 30 m
PRICE EXCL.VAT: CHF 26'018
Lovers of vintage, racing inspired Heuer watches were given a long awaited treat with the revived Heuer Autavia. A brand icon given a modern reworking, while still historically faithful, makes a welcome return and a fair shot at GPHG honours.