Montblanc joins forces with Only Watch 2017, donating an outstanding vintage timepiece – the Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17.
The Only Watch is 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Technical details
Model: Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Unique Piece Only Watch’17
Movement
Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.29
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
Case 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
Certification
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500
