The new Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 is crafted out of an exclusive and innovative 18 K gold alloy called Lime Gold, a true watch for connoisseurs who likes distinctive vintage timepieces.
Reinterpreting a 46 mm Minerva historical military chronograph from the 1930s equipped with the original calibre 19-09CH, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 features a case made of an innovative 18K gold alloy called Lime Gold, a distinctive gold-coloured dial with contrasting green elements and a matching vintage green nubuck calf strap – an harmony of colour making this timepiece unique.
It is the first time that a watch Maison unveils a model with this colour of gold fondly named Lime Gold thanks to its deep golden colour that veers towards a pale yellowy green. The Lime Gold colour is made of a special alloy composed of 18 K Gold (Au 750‰), Silver (Ag 238‰) and Iron (Fe 12‰) that provides the distinctive colour giving a true vintage aesthetics.
To match the colour of the new 44 mm 18 K Lime Gold case, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 features a distinctive gold-coloured dial with sunray finishes. Providing great readability and vintage style, the monochrome aesthetic is combined with contrasting green-coloured elements of different tones such as the luminescent cathedral-shaped hour- and minute-hands, the minuterie, the central split-second hand, the tachymeter and telemeter scales, as well as the historical Montblanc emblem at 12 o’clock.
In order to give a three-dimensional look both at day/night, the Arabic numerals are fully made of Super-LumiNova® with a special patented process that encapsulates the luminescent material and create a ‘monobloc’ shape without any outlines. Gold-coloured has been chosen for the central chronograph second hand as well as for the chronograph 30-minute- and small second-counters.
The glass above the dial has an anti-magnetized treatment on the inside top sapphire crystal to enable greater precision of the chronograph’s two second hands.
Like on the original timepiece, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 has a telemeter scale that runs around the dial. The telemeter was a common feature on the legendary Minerva chronographs and adds both function and a vintage touch to this new watch. A telemeter makes it possible to measure the distance of a phenomenon which is both visible and audible, like the lightning and thunder in a storm.
The watch also has a tachymeter (base 1000) at the centre of the dial in a colimaçon (snail shape) which lets the user measure a length of time of up to three minutes instead of one minute as it is the case in traditional chronographs. The tachymeter indicates the speed of a moving object, such as a car, over a known distance.
The case back reveals the Manufacture monopusher chronograph calibre MB M16.31 taking its inspiration from the original Minerva calibres 19-09CH from 1909 and the evolution, the 17-29, developed in the 1930s, that were used for both pocket watches and wristwatches.
The calibre MB M16.31 is particularly beautiful thanks to its handcrafted traditional finishings such as Côtes de Genève, inner angles, circular graining and bevelling – all performed at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. The Split Second mechanism in the centre brings even more light to the entire movement.
For this limited edition, the plates and bridges are made in Maillechort (German-silver) plated in 18 K gold harmoniously matching the 18 K Lime Gold case and the dial. The calibre has two column wheels for the chronograph and the split complication, horizontal coupling and a power reserve of 50 hours.
Like its predecessor, it is composed of the same V-shape bridge (whose design was protected in 1912) and a large balance wheel with 18 screws beating at the traditional frequency of 2.5 Hz / 18,000 A/H.
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 is completed with a new vintage green nubuck alligator leather strap that has been finished with beige stitching to reinforce the vintage look. The strap is also fitted with a matching 18 K Lime Gold buckle for the perfect finishing touch.
Technical details
Model: Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 (with 18 K Lime Gold case), Reference: 128085
Movement
Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.31
Manually Wound Monopusher Chronograph with Split Second, Tachymeter & Telemeter
Chronograph: Monopusher with Two Column-Wheels (One for the Chronograph and One for the Split Second) and Horizontal Coupling
Diameter = 38.40 mm; Height = 8.13 mm
Number of components: 287
Number of rubies: 25
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: 18K Gold-Plated Maillechort (German-Silver) with circular graining on both sides
Bridges: 18K Gold-Plated Maillechort (German-Silver) with “Côtes De Genève”
Going-Train: Gold-Plated, Faceted Arms, Diamond Polished Surfaces
Displays
Hours and minutes from the centre
Small seconds at “9 o’clock”
Chronograph’s elapsed-second and
Split-second hands from the dial’s centre
Counter for 30 elapsed-minutes at “3 o’clock” tachymeter and telemeter scales
Habillage
Case
18K Lime Gold Featuring Polished And Satin-Finishing
Crystal: Scratch-Resistant, Domed Box-Shaped Sapphire Crystal with Antireflective Coating
Back: Screwed 18 K Lime Gold & Inset Pane of Sapphire Crystal
Diameter = 44 MM; Height = 14.20 MM
Watertightness: 3 BAR
Crown: Fluted 18 K Lime Gold with Montblanc Emblem in Relief
Pushers: Monopusher Chronograph Integrated Into the Crown and One Pusher at 2 O’clock For the Split-Second
Dial
Gold-coloured Dial with Green-coloured Luminescent Arabic Numerals
Green and White coloured Luminescent Cathedral-Shaped Hour- And Minute-Hands
Gold-coloured Small Second- And Chronograph Second-Hands
Green-coloured Split-Second Hand
Gold-coloured Chronograph Minute Hand with a Green-coloured Arrow
Historical Montblanc Emblem at 12 O’clock
Tachymeter Scale on the Central Part of the Dial and Telemeter on the Exterior of the Dial
Strap
Green Nubuck Alligator Leather Strap with Beige Stitching and 18 K Lime Gold Pin Buckle
Edition
Limited edition of 18 pieces
Certification
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500
