Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18
Montblanc is unveiling the Montblanc1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18. The watch uses a new gold alloy called Lime Gold. The Montblanc 1858 line takes its inspiration from the professional Minerva watches from the 1920s and 1930s. These piece were used in extreme conditions, following their initial conception for use by the military.
Lime Gold
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 is a reinterpretation of the historical military chronographs from the 1930s. These were equipped with the calibre 19-09CH, with a diameter of 46 mm. The somewhat smaller 44 mm case of the new timepiece uses the 18-carat gold alloy called Lime Gold. The dial comes in a matching gold-coloured coating with contrasting green elements.
Lime Gold veers towards a pale yellow green and isa special alloy – for the first time unveiled by a watch maison – composed of 18-carat Gold (Au 750 ‰), Silver (Ag 238 ‰) and Iron (Fe 12 ‰) that evokes a unique vintage look.
The Dial
The gold-coloured dial has a sunray finish. By contrast, the luminescent cathedral-shaped hour and minute hands, the minuterie, the central split-second hand, the tachymeter and the telemeter scales, as well as the Montblanc emblem at 12 o’clock, are in different green tones. Only the central chronograph second hand, as well as the chronograph 30-minute and small second-counters, are gold in colour, thus matching the case and dial.
Inspired by the original timepiece, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 has a telemeter scale that runs around the dial. It allows the wearer to measure the distance of an event that is both visible and audible. Meanwhile, the snailed tachymeter scale measures a length of time of up to three minutes, instead of one minute, as it is the case in traditional chronographs.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18: The Movement
The case back reveals the manufacture’s monopusher chronograph calibre MB M16.31. It takes its inspiration from the original Minerva calibres 19.09CH from 1909, as well as the Evolution calibre 17-29 from the 1930s. The calibre MB M16.31 showcases finishings such as Côtes de Genève, circular graining and bevelling – all of which the brand craft at their Montblanc (former Minerva) manufacture in Villeret. Additionally, the plates and bridges are made of Maillechort (German-silver), plated in 18-carat gold.
The calibre has two column wheels (one for the chronograph and one for the split second complication), a horizontal coupling and a power reserve of 50 hours.
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 comes on a vintage green nubuck alligator leather strap. The buckle is also in 18-carat Lime Gold. Finally, the timepiece is a limited edition of 18 pieces. Its price is 49,500 euros.
18K Lime Gold featuring polished and satin-finishing
DIMENSIONS
Diameter: 44.0 mm
Height: 14.20 mm
WATER RESISTANCE
3 bar (~30 m)
DIAL
Gold-coloured dial with green-coloured accents
STRAP/BRACELET
Green nubuck alligator leather strap with beige stitching and 18 K Lime Gold pin buckle
MOVEMENT
Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.31
MOVEMENT TYPE
Hand-wound
POWER RESERVE
ca. 50 hours
FREQUENCY
18,000 A/h (2.5 Hz)
FUNCTIONS
Hours and minutes from the centre,
Small seconds at “9 o’clock”,
Chronograph’s elapsed-second and split-second hands fromthe dial’s centre,
Counter for 30 elapsed-minutes at “3 o’clock”,
Tachymeter and telemeter scales
Audemars Piguet is introducing the Royal Oak Offshore Flying Tourbillon Flyback-Chronograph into its recently updated Offshore collection. The watch combines a flyback chronograph with a flying tourbillon. Furthermore, it is a limited edition of only 100 pieces. Revised case The case of the new model is titanium, and measures 43 mm in diameter. Interestingly, to…
The French capital has something special in store for vintage car enthusiasts this month. From 31st January to 4th February, a vast number of historic automobiles can be admired at the Salon Rétromobile in Paris. But it does not stop there: Chopard will present the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition with its 100 pieces at the fair. The…
In recent years, Formula 1 has known only one trajectory: upwards. Television ratings have reached record highs, the sport’s Instagram account boasts over 34 million followers, and hit formats like Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix — offering a behind-the-scenes look at the teams, fierce rivalries, and the emotions that define the sport —…
To mark its 20th anniversary last year, Dior surprised us with the comeback of the Chiffre Rouge, the first mechanical watch to emerge from a maison that is best known for its haute couture fashion and significantly less so for its haute horlogerie. However, this could soon change thanks to LVMH's ever-growing expertise in the…
Roger Dubuis is introducing another Blacklight Edition model, the Excalibur Blacklight Spin-Stone Monobalancier. Although the novelty remains true to its line with Roger Dubuis' signature skeletonised dial, the new Hyper Horology watch is already a true pioneer of the collection thanks to its implementation of a novel synthetic process. The case The case of the…
For the third year in a row, Breitling is launching a Sylt Edition. The Chronomat GMT 40 Sylt Edition is limited to 288 pieces and is available exclusively in Germany. In addition, Breitling and the jeweller Spliedt in Kampen, a town on the northern German island of Sylt, are inviting customers to an exclusive pop-up…
Yesterday morning at 9 AM (CET), with a quick refresh of my safari page, Patek Philippe dropped seven new watches to its sports collections. All of them carry precious stones and are aimed towards the female clientele of the brand. This is truly the season for minute repeaters; as well as the new Ref. 1938…
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon, first appearing back in 2019, is now available in 18-carat pink gold. Like its predecessor, the watch integrates a tourbillon with small seconds, a power reserve of 80 hours and an array of interchangeable straps. Last but not least, the sapphire crystal caseback offers a view of the ornate movement…
After the success of the prototype’s sale at the Only Watch auction, F.P. Journe presents the final version: Astronomic Souveraine. It is a grand complication watch in a steel case, with 18 functions and complications, entirely devoted to the contemplation of the stars. From prototype to production – F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine The inspiration for…
Zenith and the Japanese bag brand Porter have collaborated to create two watches in khaki ceramic. The Pilot Automatic Porter Edition and Pilot Big Date Flyback Porter Edition are limited to 500 pieces each. Together with these watches, Porter has designed a matching bag. But what else do these two timepieces offer? In this article,…
In a vibrant combination of bold orange and radiant sky blue, Hublot introduces the Big Bang Unico Summer 2025, adding another facet to its iconic collection launched in 2005. Early June saw the Maison celebrate summer on Mykonos with the unveiling of this colourful limited edition, attended by notable guests, including brand ambassador Usain Bolt…
Frederique Constant’s release of a new perpetual calendar watch at the beginning of this year could not have been better timed. The Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Designed by Peter Speake was created in cooperation with the independent British watchmaker Peter Speake, who conceived a minimalistic design with an open-worked dial and selected colour accents. The…
At this year's Watches and Wonders 2020, Hermès introduced five new Arceau L’heure de la lune models, including three with meteorite dials. These 43 mm timepieces simultaneously display the moon phases from the perspective of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are available with the following designs: a Black Sahara meteorite dial with a white-gold…