Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Gold
In 1924 Montblanc designed a revolutionary writing instrument that was to become iconic in the art of writing. Thanks to a design as elegant as it is functional, an innovative ink supply system and a hand-decorated gold nib, Montblanc’s Meisterstück has become one of the greatest design legends of our time.
For 90 years it has been the embodiment of excellence – the result of marrying artistic craftsmanship and the very best technology.
A perfect symbiosis of tradition and innovation, the high standards and quality values set by the Montblanc Meisterstück now stretch far beyond the art of writing.
On its 90th anniversary, this great symbol of the Montblanc spirit has inspired a new collection of watches: the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage line. Now these refined timepieces, fitted with mechanical movements created in the Montblanc manufactures of Villeret and Locle in the heart of the Swiss Jura, also bear the legendary name of Meisterstück.
The inspiration for the entire Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection is drawn from the history of this legendary fountain pen, and its legacy can be seen in classic watches with functional complications and wonderful decorations. Down to the very last detail, these remarkable timepieces transpose the spirit of the Montblanc Meisterstück into the heart of traditional fine Swiss watchmaking.
Born almost a century ago, the Meisterstück is now enjoying a new lease of life through the Meisterstück Heritage collection.
Named the Meisterstück Heritage collection, the inspiration and starting point for the new Montblanc watch line is the famous fountain pen born in 1924. Each of these original watches bears the stamp of traditional craftsmanship, timeless design and perfect functionality, incorporating the best of the Swiss art of fine watchmaking.
All models of the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection measure time through long, faceted hour- and minute-hands in the dauphine shape, clearly distinguishable against faces embellished by a delicate sunburst finish. Because of the extreme sobriety of these hands, the construction is necessarily meticulous, resulting in a perfect design.
Remaining true to the spirit of the Montblanc Meisterstück fountain pen in which every detail is an essential element, the watches of the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection have polished, faceted applied indices in three different lengths. These indices are riveted to the dial by minute feet, in line with the finest traditions.
The dial is dominated by the Roman numeral “XII”, completing the hour circle. Another example of the attention Montblanc pays to the quality of finishes, the pared down and refined contours of the 39- or 41 millimetre-diameter case are emphasised by delicate decorations such as the horizontal satin finishing on the middle piece. The crown is embossed with the polished Montblanc emblem, standing out from the sand-blasted background.
Each model in the Meisterstück Heritage collection is distinguishable through unique characteristics, from the classic, three-handed watch complete with date function, through a splendid timepiece indicating the phases of the moon, to grand complications represented by a perpetual calendar and a monopusher chronograph.
At the Watches and Wonders 2014 fair in Hong Kong, the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection will reach new heights, adding three new Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic models made from 18 karat red gold.
Available in a 39 millimetre-diameter and a height of just 9 millimetres, easily worn by a man or a woman, these prestigious models further enhance a supremely elegant classical style. With its four indices for hours, minutes, seconds and the date, the Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic in solid red gold concentrates on the basics and makes sobriety the ultimate refinement.
The design of the dial perfectly illustrates an aesthetic of refined functionality, emphasising the basic principles of fine watchmaking: the cambered dial with fine indices for the minutes on the sloping periphery, the faceted applied indexes in three lengths, the Roman numeral “XII” (also in appliqué), the date window with its meticulously polished frame and the fine sunburst pattern, with rays that shimmer and shift according to the angle of the light.
Over this distinguished horological composition sweep the red gold plated “dauphine” style hour and minute hands , in perfect harmony with the shape of the indices.
Montblanc has chosen to add three new faces to its Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection in 18 karat red gold. To start with, a classic version of this timepiece is now available with a silver-white dial. It also comes in a very contemporary- chique version with a chocolate brown dial and sunburst pattern. This warm colour goes perfectly with the deep sparkle of the red gold and the dark brown of the alligator strap.
For the first time, the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection is crowned by a model in 18 karat red gold studded with diamonds. Its bezel is set with 88 Top Wesselton diamonds, making this watch – the indices of which are also decorated with diamonds – a real jewel of precision time-keeping, as stunning as it is precious.
With this new 18 karat red gold version, the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage collection aims more than ever to pay sparkling homage to the legend of the Meisterstück fountain pen.
The three versions of the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic are animated by a self-winding mechanical movement Calibre MB 24.17. They are a pleasure to behold with particularly fine finishes such as the golden colored balance wheel that beats at a frequency of 28’800 A/h (4 hertz), visible through a pane of sapphire crystal in the back of the case.
The movement is enclosed in a case just 9 millimetres high. As with all the models in the collection, this elegant case in precious metal bears all the characteristics of a real fine watchmaking timepiece: a narrow polished convex bezel, vertically descending flanks with horizontal satin finishing, slightly arched horns, anti-reflective cambered sapphire crystal as well as a wristband in black or brown large scale alligator-skin with a 18 karat red gold pin buckle to ensure it fits comfortably round the wrist.
Technical details
Model: Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic
Movement
MB 24.17
Mechanical movement with automatic winding
Number of rubies: 25
Power reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Balance: Flat hoop
Frequency: 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring: Flat
Displays
Hours, minutes, large second-hand, date in a window at “3 o’clock”
Model: Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic Ident. 112144
Case
18K red gold case, 18 K red gold fixed bezel set with 88 Top Wesselton diamonds (~0.528 ct.), horizontally satin-finished middle piece
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed and antireflective sapphire crystal
Back: 18K red gold with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions: Diameter 39 mm; Height 9 mm
Water tightness: 3 bar
Crown: 18K red gold with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Dial
Silvery white and slightly cambered dial with sunburst pattern, facetted hour indices set with 12 Top Wesselton diamonds and Roman numeral “XII” as red gold-plated appliqués, red gold-plated dauphine hour-hand, minute-hand and second-hand, date shown in window with polished frame
Wristband
Black alligator-skin strap with red gold-plated pin buckle
Model: Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic Ident. 111874
Case
18K red gold case, polished bezel, horizontally satin-finished middle piece
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed and antireflective sapphire crystal
Back: 18K red gold with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions Diameter 39 mm; Height 9 mm
Water tightness: 3 bar
Crown: 18K red gold with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Dial
Silvery white and slightly cambered dial with sunburst pattern, facetted hour indices and Roman numeral “XII” as red gold-plated appliqués, red gold-plated dauphine hour-hand, minute-hand and second-hand, date shown in window with polished frame
Wristband
Black alligator-skin strap with red gold-plated pin buckle
Model: Meisterstück Heritage Date Automatic Ident. 111875
Case
18K red gold case, polished bezel, horizontally satin-finished middle piece
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed and antireflective sapphire crystal
Back: 18K red gold with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions: Diameter 39 mm ; Height 9 mm
Water tightness: 3 bar
Crown: 18K red gold with Montblanc emblem in raised relief
Dial
Brown and slightly cambered dial with sunburst pattern, facetted hour indices and Roman numeral “XII” as red gold-plated appliqués, red gold plated dauphine hour-hand, minute-hand and second-hand, date shown in window with polished frame
Wristband
Black alligator-skin strap with red gold-plated pin buckle
