Montblanc presents a new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 inspired by a historic Minerva piece from the 1930s.
Precise, legible, and robust for use in extreme conditions: the renowned professional Minerva watches from the 1920s and 1930s were first conceived for military use. Today, these historic timepieces provide the inspiration for the Montblanc 1858 product lines that pay tribute to Minerva’s rich heritage.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100
For the new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph, the inspiration comes from an early 42mm military monopusher split second chronograph from the 1930s. This new model is housed in a 44mm stainless steel case with a fixed white gold 750/1000 (18 karats) fluted bezel. The dial features a dark burgundy colour with sunray decoration, black chronograph counters and white luminescent Arabic numerals for an elegant new look.
Providing readability and vintage style, the new burgundy-toned dial is enhanced with vintage shaped hour- , minute- and seconds-hands, a central split-second hand, a 30-minute chronograph counter, and a tachymeter scale.
Tachymeter
Like on the original timepiece, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 has a tachymeter scale (base 1000) that runs around the dial. The tachymeter was a common feature on Minerva chronographs and adds both function and a vintage touch to this new watch. A tachymeter lets the user measure a length of time, up to one minute, as it is the case in traditional chronographs. The tachymeter indicates the speed of a moving object, such as a car, over a known distance.
Calibre MB M16.31
The caseback reveals the Manufacture, hand-finished manually wound, monopusher, split second chronograph calibre MB M16.31 which takes its inspiration from the original Minerva chronograph calibre 19-09CH from 1909, as well as its successor, the 17-29, developed in the 1930s, which was used for both pocket watches and wristwatches. The calibre MB M16.31 features handcrafted traditional finishings such as Côtes de Genève, inner angles, circular graining and bevelling – all performed at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret.
The calibre has two column wheels for the chronograph and the split complication, horizontal coupling and a power reserve of approx. 50 hours. Like its predecessor, it is composed of the same V-shaped bridge, the design of which was protected in 1912, and a large balance wheel with 18 screws beating at the traditional frequency of 2.5 Hz / 18,000 A/H.
The split second complication, or rattrapante as it is called in French, allows the user to measure intermediate times without interrupting the ongoing measurement of a longer elapsed time. It works by activating the two chronograph seconds hands which start moving together. The pusher at 2 o’clock can then stop one hand while the other continues running. A further push, and the stopped hand can be released to “catch up” with the running hand, allowing for repeated intermediate time measurements.
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 is completed with a new dark burgundy-toned interchangeable calf leather strap with alligator print and a stainless steel triple folding clasp with fine adjustment system.
