| Montblanc is presenting a one-of-a-kind 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17 with a bronze and vintage green aesthetic to actively sustain Only Watch 2017, a well-known biennial charity auction of high-end timepieces. The event will take place in Geneva on November 11th 2017 with funds donated to research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. |
Only Watch Partnership
Now presenting its 7th Edition, Only Watch is a biennale auction of unique timepieces that has raised over 25 million Euros to date. Under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and following the initiative of Luc Pettavino, President of the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, Only Watch is an international watchmaking charity event. All of the funds collected from the sale of the watches are donated in their entirety to scientific and medical research. The exclusive watches will embark on a world tour starting in the charity’s hometown of Monaco, and then continuing to Asia, the Gulf, the United States and Europe, before the final auction in Geneva on November 11th 2017.
Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17
Montblanc’s watchmaking expertise goes back to 1858, the year Minerva was founded in Villeret, Switzerland. Since its inception, the Manufacture has been renowned as one of Switzerland’s most revered specialists in chronometric functions for precise time measuring. Over the last decade, Montblanc has been exploring Minerva’s incredible heritage, finding inspiration in historical functions, mechanics and design codes.
Inspired by the famous Minerva chronographs from the 1930s, the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17 continues this horological journey by capturing the spirit of Montblanc’s past in a new and contemporary way. Paying tribute to the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Blue Limited Edition 100, which won the prestigious Grand Prix d’horlogerie of Geneva 2016 as the best Chronograph, the timepiece features the traditional manual monopusher chronograph movement, the calibre MB M16.29; a distinct bronze case that has been combined for the very first time within the Montblanc Collection with a vintage green dial and a matching green alligator strap – making it truly special. “Montblanc is pleased to contribute a timepiece to Only Watch to help further research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy and help those suffering from this illness all over the world,” shares Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO.
Turning to bronze
The choice of a 44 mm bronze case enhances the vintage design of the timepiece.
Through this metal, Montblanc combines traditional Swiss artisanal watchmaking with a genuine material from watchmaking history. Particular attention has been paid to researching the perfect alloy of bronze that will evolve with its owner by developing its own unique, uniform and attractive patina over the years. The subtle changing colour of the case further enriches the appeal of this unique piece.
Design codes
The historical design codes taken from the original 1930s Minerva chronograph include large cathedral hands with a cloisonné design filled with beige Super-LumiNova®, luminescent Arabic numerals that have been highlighted by the gradation of the green dial, a vintage shaped crown and a classic minute railway track. Other design details include the original Montblanc logo from the 1930s era with its historical font and emblem of the Mont Blanc Mountain in the centre, along with a green alligator strap that was made by the artisans at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence. The strap is also fitted with a satinated bronze-plated buckle that also complements the overall design.
The heart of the timepiece
At the heart of the timepiece lies the traditional manual monopusher chronograph, the MB M16.29, with a column wheel mechanism, horizontal coupling, chronograph bridge in a “V” shape, a large screwed balance wheel with a frequency of 18,000 semi oscillations per hour and a power reserve of 50 hours. This in-house chronograph has been entirely handcrafted at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret and is a sight of unparalleled beauty thanks to its finishing. Designed in a large “pocket watch” style, the calibre MB M16.29 has been inspired by the original calibre 17.29 designed for pocket watches and wristwatches in the 1930s. This new version uses almost the same shape of components as the calibre 17.29, but features different finishings, such as inside angles, Côtes de Genève stripes and circular graining. The Calibre MB M16.29 bears red gold-coloured components, offering a look that matches the bronze material and vintage appeal of the timepiece perfectly. As with all the historical calibres, one of the movement’s components is shaped into the form of the Minerva arrow to pay tribute to the Manufacture’s heritage.
The chronograph indications are displayed via a central chronograph seconds hand and a chronograph minute counter at three o’clock. Other indications on the dial include a tachymeter scale that runs around the dial and a small seconds’ counter at nine o’clock.
This unique piece is completed with a non-allergenic, titanium bronze-plated case back that has been specially engraved with the inscription Unique Piece – Only Watch’17, making it a true collector’s piece.
Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17
Ident. 118775
Movement Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.29
Type of movement Manually wound monopusher chronograph with tachymeter scale
Chronograph Monopusher with column-wheel and horizontal coupling
Dimensions Diameter = 38.4 mm; height = 6.3 mm
Number of components 252
Number of rubies 22
Power reserve Approx. 50 hours
Balance Screw balance, diameter = 14.5 mm; moment of inertia = 59 mgcm²
Frequency 18,000 A/h (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring With Phillips terminal curve
Plate Red gold-plated (4N) German silver with circular graining on both sides
Bridges Red gold-plated (4N) German silver with “Côtes de Genève”
Going-train Gold-plated, faceted arms, diamond polished surfaces
Displays Hours and minutes from the center
Small seconds at “9 o’clock”
Chronograph’s elapsed-seconds hand from the dial’s center
Counter for 30 elapsed minutes at “3 o’clock”
Tachymeter scale
Habillage
Case Bronze
Crystal Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire and antireflective crystal
Back Screwed titanium bronze-plated case back with inset pane of sapphire crystal & special engraving Unique Piece – Only Watch ’17
Dimensions Diameter = 44 mm; height = 13.15 mm
Watertightness 3 bar
Crown Bronze with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Pusher Monopusher chronograph integrated into the crown
Dial Vintage green dial with beige Super-LumiNova®-coated, Arabic numerals, 18K red gold-plated luminescent hour-hand and minute-hand, historical Montblanc emblem at 12 o’clock, tachymeter scale on the external part of the dial
Wristband Green alligator-skin with beige stitching and satinated bronze-plated buckle
Limited Edition Unique piece
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500
About Montblanc
Guided by the pioneering spirit since 1906, Montblanc revolutionized the culture of writing with breakthrough innovations. Today, the Maison continues to push boundaries and evolve the expression of fine craftsmanship across each of its product categories: the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, leather goods, accessories, fragrances and eyewear. With every innovation, Montblanc offers new functionalities and groundbreaking designs imbued with the Maison’s heritage of sophistication and crafted to the highest standards through the skills of its artisans in each of its manufactures whether Hamburg, Germany for its writing instruments, the Swiss Jura in Le Locle and Villeret for its timepieces or Florence, Italy for its leather goods. Reflecting its ongoing mission to create fine lifetime companions born from the most pioneering ideas, the iconic Montblanc Emblem has become the ultimate seal of performance, innovation, quality and expression of style. With its origins deeply rooted in the culture of handwriting, Montblanc continues to assert its cultural commitment around the world with the creation of wide-ranging initiatives to promote arts and culture in many forms, while honouring the modern day patrons who support the advancement of the arts.
Sharing the Passion for fine watchmaking
The horologic legacy of the Montblanc Manufactures
Centuries of collected knowledge, decades of experience, years of development and hundreds of hours of dedicated labour – they all culminate in a Montblanc timepiece coming to life. With their skills and knowledge handed down through generations, the watchmakers at the Montblanc Manufactures in Villeret and Le Locle put their pride, passion and soul into each timepiece. Villeret’s watchmaking tradition began almost 160 years ago, when in 1858 Charles-Yvan Robert founded a watch workshop in a small village in the Saint-Imier valley. Under the name Minerva, the company gained worldwide recognition for its precise chronometry and became a leading specialist in the fabrication of professional watches. Capable of measuring time accurately to 1/100th of a second in 1916, its mechanical stopwatches were fundamental to the evolution of modern-day motor racing.
As the former home of Minerva, the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret upholds the manufacture’s legacy of expertise. Here, Montblanc’s Movement & Innovation Excellence Centre continues to enrich fine Swiss watchmaking with groundbreaking innovations. This watchmaking expertise gained from high complications is also applied to the creation of highly functional small complications. In the Manufacture’s ateliers, all the movements’ components are carefully crafted and decorated by hand using traditional methods. The watchmakers chamfer every edge, polish even the tiniest wheel and adorn plates and bridges with the traditional circular graining and “Côtes de Genève” stripes. Their great dexterity and skill are also indispensable in crafting delicate balance springs, an accomplishment only very few watch manufactures manage.
Manifesting in a superior level of craftsmanship and timelessly elegant design codes, the Montblanc Manufactures’s horological knowledge is deeply embedded in all Montblanc timepieces, handing the passion for fine watchmaking on from grand complication timepieces to refined three-hand watches.
Information for Press
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