Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100
Boasting a new vibrant blue dial, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 watch continues the Minerva tradition with a beautifully finished Haute Horlogerie Rattrapante calibre.
When Montblanc’s parent company, the Richemont Group acquired Minerva, a manufacture acclaimed for its chronograph movements, the technical know-how and historical relevance of the little company were immediately put to good use at Montblanc. Named in honour of the founding year of Minerva, the 1858 collection is brimming with beautifully crafted models powered by old-school finely finished movements.
While the dial of this piece demonstrates vintage charm, it also exhibits the high quality once expected from well-heeled clients. Crafted from solid gold, upon which Grand Feu enamel has been executed in a graduated shade of vivid blue, the frangible material gives the surface an eye-pleasing sheen.
Offering contrast, accents of white, beige and orange ensure readability of the indications. A telemeter scale on the perimeter enables the measuring of distances based on the speed of sound located on the outer dial edge (perhaps familiar to enthusiasts of military pieces when this was once used as a crude type of range finder). Allowing for a range of up to three minutes, a tightly snailed tachymeter scale is seductively curled in the centre of the dial, overlapped by the two counters. Adhering to vintage styling codes, the Arabic numerals are diminutive in size.
While the combination of timing functions adds interest to the dial of this model, purists will no doubt be drawn to its calibre.
As its title suggests, this model incorporates a Rattrapante complication which enables measurement of intermediate times as well as chronograph elapsed times. Distinguishable by its orange hand and track on the dial, as opposed to the beige chronograph hand and track, this tricky inclusion immediately elevates the complex character of the model.
Disclosed through a sapphire crystal caseback, and filling up the entire width of its 44mm titanium watchcase, the MB M16.31 calibre is a lesson in fine watchmaking perfection. Beautifully decorated with meticulous hand-bushed and mirror polished surfaces on the chronograph levers, its architecture is deeply inspired by a pocket watch Minerva movement from 1929.
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chonograph Limited Edition 100 comes presented on a blue Sfumato alligator leather strap.
Fact File: Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph
MANUFACTURER: Montblanc
LIMITED EDITION: 100 pieces
CASE: Grade 5 Titanium, satin-finished
SIZE: ø 45mm
THICKNESS: 14mm
DIAL: Graduated Blue, Grande Feu enamelled on solid gold.
MOVEMENT: Montblanc MB M16.31 18,000vph, hand-wound chronograph with Rattrapante complication, brushed and mirror finishing.
FUNCTIONS: hours, minutes, seconds; Rattrapante chronograph with tachymeter and telemeter
POWER RESERVE: 50 hours
BRACELET/STRAP: Blue alligator leather stap
BUCKLE: Titanium pin buckle
WATERPROOF RATING: 30m
PRICE $36,000
