In 2018 Montblanc celebrated the 160thanniversary of the traditional watch manufacture Minerva, which since 2007 belongs to the Hamburg based brand that produces its timepieces in Le Locle and Villeret in the Swiss Jura.
Bronze is the key material used for the new 1858 collection
Montblanc started an adventurous journey of their ‘1858’ collection last year, a collection that is inspired by professional watches from the 1920s and 1930s with high ambitions – because the journey takes us right up to the summits of the earths highest mountains where professional mountaineers and the military relied on their tough and precise timepieces during their expeditions. The previous collection was characterized by earthy tones and bronze – smoky, champagne-coloured dials, beige luminescent numerals and cognac-coloured leather straps.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere in khaki green
In 2019, the new watches of the 1858 collection don’t take us so far up again and stay in the green woods instead. At the SIHH watch fair 2019 Montblanc introduces five new 1858 editions: two new 1858 Automatic models, one new 1858 Chronograph, one new 1858 Geosphere and a new complication, the 1858 Split Second Chronograph.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. 119909 (left), Newcomer – the 1858 Split Second Chronograph Ref. 119910 (right)
Khaki green replaces the earthy tones and becomes the new colour code for dials and straps as well as bronze takes more control in terms of case material. Whereas most of the previous models were equipped with stainless steel cases and subtle bronze elements, this years novelties appear with full bronze (cases and bezel). Only the case back is crafted from titanium featuring a bronze colour coating to avoid skin allergies. Just one of the new Automatic versions still comes with a stainless steel case. The polished and satin-finished bronze harmonizes very well with the khaki colour code that has been selected for these novelties.
Well camouflaged but still striking – 1858 Geosphere in khaki green
Montblanc also decided to increase the use of their NATO straps for this new 1858 collection. As with textile straps you always need to be careful that they appear valuable enough and meet the requirements of high-quality mechanical watches. Whereas the NATO straps by Montblanc really do satisfy in look and feel. Montblanc relies on the experience of a French weaving manufacture that has been handcrafting straps for over 150 years.
Well done – the NATO straps come from a French weaving manufacture
The two new 1858 Automatic models come in a choice of a full-bronze 40mm case (Ref. 118222) and a NATO strap and dial in khaki-green, or a stainless steel case (Ref. 119907) with a strap in khaki-green calfskin ‘Nubuk’ leather and black dial.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic in bronze (left) Montblanc 1858 Automatic in stainless steel (right)
The new 1858 Chronograph (Ref. 119908) comes in a 42mm full bronze case with khaki-green dial and NATO strap. Also the 1858 Geosphere (Ref. 119909) with its two rotating half-globes comes all in khaki.
Montblanc 1858 Chronograph in bronze (left) Montblanc 1858 Geosphere in khaki green (right)
The new 1858 Split Second Chronograph (Ref. 119910) is an addition to the collection and a tribute to Minervas precise chronographs of the 1920s and 1930s. It is equipped with an in-house movement calibre MB M16.31 that enables the chronograph function to be adjusted by one pusher (Monopusher) only. The second reference time (Split Second) is taken by a pusher inside the crown. Staying true to the new style, it appears with a bronze case, however makes an exception on its strap that is made in black alligator leather and suits the black dial.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph with black alligator leather strap
Good news for all collectors – the novelties from this years 1858 collection are each limited to, of course, 1858 pieces. The 1858 Split Second Chronograph however as an exception is only limited to 100 pieces.
On the Swiss watch fair SIHH 2019 the Geneva luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin officially extended its 2018 'Fiftysix collection' by two new models. The watches of the collection, which is inspired by a model from 1956, are the more casual designs of the 264-year-old brand. The new models Fiftysix Complete Calendar (Ref. 4000E/000A-B548) and Fiftysix Self-Winding (Ref. 4600E/000A-B487) as well…
Were it not for a coincidence, Enrico Barbasini would probably be making it big as a musician, like his father, and not in the limelight as one of the most talented watchmakers of our time. Fortunately, a chance encounter gifted us Enrico Barbasini when his father (he was opera singer) met a young man with…
It all started with watches, of course. Some time ago, we spotted IWC’s special editions with a striking blue dial that are being launched on regular basis. Naturally, we wanted to know more about them. Since 2005, IWC has been supporting the programs of the ‘Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’ with an annual launch of…
Building the thinnest watch in the world is undeniably one of the most competitive and impressive record chases in modern day horological engineering. Whilst many brands have produced thin watches, only a few brands have ever been truly in competition for the trophy – predominantly Bulgari, Richard Mille and Piaget. In this article, we will…
Shortly before the legendary Grand Prix weekend in Monaco, the newly crowned Formula 1 sponsor TAG Heuer is launching three racy new models in the cult collection of the same name. Fittingly, the race will start for the first time under the name Formula 1 TAG Heuer Grand Prix de Monaco. The ticking Monaco story…
It was in 1972 when Ferdinand Alexander Porsche decided to establish a design company for watches (and other products) after he retired from the operating business at Porsche. Ever since he has been a designer, not only was it him who developed the 911, but he was also in charge of all design aspects of…
Cartier has introduced two new iterations of the Tank Louis Cartier, thus expanding one of its most emblematic watch designs. As a successor to the original Tank Normale, first conceived in 1917, the Tank Louis Cartier has been an enduring symbol of elegance and refinement since its creation in 1922, making it an ever-popular centenarian.…
In a return to what the sumptuous luxury Swiss watch and jewellery maison does best, Piaget has once again merged art and horology with the release of the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch. While the manufacture is also respected for its remarkable ultra-thin watches and in-house production, Piaget is known above all for its artistic heritage.…
Patek Philippe is discontinuing several models, including the Nautilus 5711/1A-010. Jewellers and authorised retailers are receiving a "run-out" list, naming the models soon to be discontinued. In addition to the Nautilus, two Grandes Complications and two models from the Complications collection are also being left behind. The full list of discontinued models can be found…
While visiting the Breguet manufacture in Vallée de Joux some weeks ago, we certainly didn’t want to miss the movement assembly Atelier where the Maison’s tourbillon complications come alive. It was Abraham-Louis Breguet who invented this regulator over 200 years ago and the manufacture today is the world’s biggest producer. They have seven tourbillon families…
The perpetual calendar is surely one of the most complex challenges in wrist-watchmaking. The system is based on the Gregorian calendar, which was calculated by pope Gregor XIII in 1582 and is quite inconsistently bearing in mind the different days per month and not to forget the leap years. It’s a complex mathematical calculation and…
It's fair to say that across the Swiss watch industry, it is men's and unisex watches that tend to be the most technically interesting. A timepiece that breaks this trend, however, is Van Cleef's Lady Arpels Heures Florales. Charmingly beautiful on the surface, this watch is in fact a horological masterpiece. Van Cleef & Arpels’…
Vacheron Constantin is kicking off the week in style with the release of six new watches from its most esteemed department, Les Cabinotiers. Les Cabinotiers is home to the brand’s master watchmakers, whose role is to produce bespoke timepieces for only the most special of client requests. As is the case with these latest novelties,…