Jewellery & Watch News
For the first time, the high-end manufacture that is Montblanc’s Minerva creates a watch that beautifully displays the splendour of one of its in-house mechanical movements through an openwork dial. The Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph isn't just any regular skeletonized chronograph however, but instead flips the movement upside down so that the chronograph mechanism is visible from the dial side.
In 2007, Montblanc’s reputation as a luxury watch brand was eclipsed when it was acquired by the Richemont Group and was assigned the Fabrique d'Horlogerie Minerva SA. The Swiss movement manufacture was storied for creating stunning in-house calibres, chronographs especially being a historic specialty of Minerva. Over the last decade, Montblanc have explored Minerva’s incredible heritage in detail, taking historical complications, design codes and mechanics and combining them into their own modern housings. For Montblanc’s 2022 Watches & Wonders showcase, Montblanc’s affiliation with Minerva is as evident as ever with a series of limited edition designs launched with Minerva movements inside. Alongside the Montblanc 1858 The Red Arrow Minerva Monopusher Chronograph, we’re welcomed to a duo of Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronographs, a 58-piece steel model and an 18-piece design in 18ct lime gold.
The linchpin of the new Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph is undoubtedly the skeletonised dial which proudly displays the Calibre MB 16.26 based on the Calibre MB 16.29. The difference is that the movement has been turn upside down (hence the change of 6 to 9 in the calibre name) and is fitted with an additional 21 parts to allow the hands to function on the opposite side. Other than that, there is no special embellishment or skeletonization of the movement, proving the already splendour finishing of Minerva’s manufacture. All the signature details of a Minerva movement remain including the arrow-shaped tail on one of the chronograph levers, the V-shaped bridge, and the chamfering on the sanded German silver bridges.
Comprising of 273 parts, the Calibre MB 16.26 movement is a manual winding Monopusher delivering the hours, minutes and chronograph seconds from the centre and two subsidiary dials for the 30 minutes chronograph counter and the small seconds. The movement operates at a frequency of 2.5Hz, or 18,800 beats per minute, and ensures a power reserve of 50 hours. Since it is displayed in full force from the front, Montblanc have opted to fit both 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph watches with a closed case back beautifully engraved with the Villeret manufacture and the famous “V”-shaped mountains in the background.
Despite hosting much of the same specifications, the two Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph watches are polar opposite in their charm. For the stainless steel model, a modern finish is achieved with blue accents on the dial while the 18ct lime gold reference opts for green markings on the hands, numerals and hour markers for a much more vintage-inspired aesthetic. Both sit on the wrist at 43mm wide with the coin edge bezel, rounded lugs, sapphire crystal glass and a knurled Monopusher crown at 3 o’clock. The stainless steel Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph watch is completed by a blue alligator leather strap while the gold chronograph elects a distressed green alligator leather strap.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Montblanc 1858 Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph watches and order one of the limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
