Montblanc’s Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph gets a new look with an elegant green aesthetic and a newly designed strap.
Paying tribute to the world’s first inking chronograph, the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph stands as an embodiment of Montblanc’s dual heritage in writing instruments and horology. This year, the Maison continues to honour Nicolas Rieussec’s original ink-marking invention with a brand-new 43mm stainless steel model featuring an elegant green dial and a matching green interchangeable calf leather strap with a vertical sfumato design.
The Beginning of the Story
The story of this timepiece began on Saturday, 1st September 1821 when Nicolas Rieussec (1781-1866) first tested his timekeeping invention at the horse races. His device recorded the precise times of all the horses as they crossed the finish line, literally “writing time”, which inspired the term “chronograph”. Rieussec was not only the sixth royal watchmaker to the King of France; he was also a businessman with an eye for opportunity. Horse races in Paris at this time were big business, and being able to scientifically record the winners would be a game-changer for the sport.
How Did Nicolas Rieussec’s Device Work?
Nicolas Rieussec’s device used a fixed nib that would place a drop of ink on two rotating counters (one for the minutes, the other for the seconds) each time a horse crossed the finish line. His invention was a success and a
few weeks later, he presented it to the Academy of Sciences in Paris, whose members were fascinated by the timing device and named it a “chronograph,” taken from the Greek words chronos for time and graphein to write. The word chronograph was born and Nicolas Rieussec became the inventor of the world’s first inking chronograph, marking the history of fine watchmaking.
The First Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Collection
Fast forward to the modern day and the year 2007, when Montblanc unveiled an intriguing wristwatch version of Nicolas Rieussec’s technology featuring its first in-house movement. The configuration of Rieussec’s design was interpreted with two horizontally aligned chronograph counters, one for elapsed 60 seconds and the other indicating 30 minutes. Instead of each counter being static with its own rotating hand, the counters were the ones to turn and a single index marker placed between the two counters indicated the elapsed time.
Since 2007, Montblanc has unveiled several editions of this special timepiece in a host of different materials, colours and styles. For this latest version, the Maison has chosen a 43mm stainless steel case that has been paired with an elegant green dial and a matching green interchangeable calf leather strap with a vertical sfumato design.
This new strap has been specially designed by Montblanc Artistic Director Marco Tomasetta, who found inspiration in the Maison’s writing instrument nibs for its pointed shape. The lining has also been enhanced with a map of Paris from 1821. Those familiar with Paris may recognize the neighbourhood of the Ile de la Cité, where Rieussec had his workshop, and the Champ-de-Mars horse racing track, where the story of this famous timepiece first began.
The Parisian Connection
This new strap is just one of many elements that celebrate The City of Light in this timepiece. A graphic Clous de Paris motif on the dial originates from the geometric design of Paris’s cobbled streets. The motif, not uncommon in fine watchmaking, is continued onto the oscillating weight, enhancing the contemporary aesthetic of the timepiece. A mention in French of the “Académie des Sciences de Paris” is engraved on the flange, as a reminder that the academy validated Rieussec’s invention in 1821. The name “Chronographe Nicolas Rieussec” is also engraved at 12 o’clock. Other modern details to note on this new model include a day/night indicator at 9 o’clock, dynamic ‘Dauphine’ hands with Super-LumiNova, a skeletonized second time zone hand, baton indexes, and silver counters, which provide an elegant contrast with the green dial.
In-House Movement
The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph is powered by the self-winding Manufacture monopusher chronograph movement MB R200, which was the very first in-house movement by the Maison. Everything in the movement has been designed to reach a high level of technical efficiency and aesthetics.
The Manufacture Chronograph is equipped with a column-wheel that controls the monopusher mechanism. To improve the chronograph’s start, the connection between the gear train and the chronograph’s wheels is alternately engaged and disengaged by a vertical disc clutch and functions without any wear and tear. This mechanism prevents the elapsed time discs from jumping when the chronograph is switched on. The timepiece features a monopusher which is ergonomically positioned at 8 o’clock, where the wearer’s thumb can conveniently operate it.
Additionally, a rapid-reset mechanism for the hour and date is practical for travelers who journey from one time zone to another. These indicators can be reset either clockwise or counter-clockwise without affecting the position of the minute hand.
The rate is regulated by a large 10mm diameter balance wheel with screws, which oscillates regularly thanks to its high moment of inertia (12 mgcm²) and its frequency of 28,800 A/h (4 Hz). The stable rate is further enhanced by the double barrel, providing approx. 72 hours of power reserve. Furthermore, the balance bridge is open-worked, ensuring the precise positioning of the oscillator for optimal shock resistance.
The new Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph continues to pay homage to Rieussec’s invention and the city of its birth with a new colourway and features that take this classic timepiece into the future of fine watchmaking for new generations of watch lovers to enjoy.
