Montblanc lets the light shine into its Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph with new sapphire windows in the middle case and an aesthetic reconstruction of its movement
A New Limited Edition
Montblanc returns with a new 1858 Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph, showcasing more fascinating details to be discovered. This new limited edition sees the addition of five apertures into the case band, allowing light to flood into the hand-finished manually wound movement. Montblanc’s designers have taken a truly architectural approach to the entire timepiece in order to create a play of light and depth flowing through the movement constructed on pillars, so that the wearer can fully admire the 291 components via five different crystal windows.
For the delight of those peering into the depths of the movement, this latest limited edition comes with a new movement, the Calibre MB M17.26. Like the Calibre MB M16.26 that equipped the previous versions, this monopusher calibre has been flipped over to display all the mechanical action on the dial side of the watch. At first glance, the viewer may think it is a skeletonized movement, but a closer look reveals that this chronograph movement is on full display on the dial side of the watch.
In order to let the eye delve deeper into the movement and enjoy the craftsmanship of the individual components, the chronograph complication of the Calibre MB M17.26 has been constructed on pillars, allowing the light to flood in. The chronograph bridge has also been put on top of the movement to highlight this distinctive component, the specific design of which was patented in 1912. Adding another modern twist to the timepiece, the German silver plates and bridges have been colored in a contemporary blue, providing a contrast with the rest of the movement, yet matching the tone of the blue sfumato calf leather strap.
This new limited edition comes in a 43mm stainless steel case with an elegant horizontal satin finishing. It is fitted with a white gold fluted bezel that has been inspired by Minerva’s first fluted bezel dating back to 1927, adding a touch of finesse to the model.
Signature Minerva Movement Design
In keeping with all Montblanc’s complicated movements, the distinctive Minerva arrow and the Maison’s “V”-shaped bridge are also on display. The Minerva arrow is a tribute to the Roman Goddess who is always depicted with her arrow-tipped staff in hand, and the unusual “V”-shaped bridge comes from the view of the mountains seen from the watchmakers’ window in Villeret, a sight that has been a constant since the founding of the workshop in 1858.
No Distractions
Particular attention has been paid to the indications so that they don’t distract from the movement with a sapphire crystal dial, an open-worked 30-minute chronograph counter, an open-worked small seconds display, and elegant hands and indexes that have been created with Super-LumiNova® for enhanced legibility.
This new Montblanc Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition of 100 pieces combines tradition with a contemporary design thanks to the functionality of a monopusher chronograph and a new blue aesthetic that can be admired through numerous sapphire openings all around the case.
