Foversta's 2011 SIHH report offers a rare glimpse into Montblanc's Minerva novelties, capturing the brand's ambitious push into haute horlogerie. This article highlights the technical prowess and design philosophy behind pieces like the Metamorphosis and Vintage Pulsographe, providing valuable context for understanding Montblanc's evolution a decade later.
I visited the Montblanc booth on Tuesday and it was a very bad idea: it is maybe the busiest day at the SIHH. It is the reason why I was able to see only the Minerva novelties. So, I will not show you the new Rieussec watches what's a pity. Anyway, with the Minerva novelties, I believe that I bring you enough candies for your eyes.
I was very happy to meet Mr Demetrio Cabiddu who stayed with me a few minutes between two appointments. He showed me the two main novelties of this year (Vintage Pulsographe and the Bi-Cylindrique) and he also took the opportunity to come back to the
Metamorphosis which was a star of the 2010 SIHH.
I would like to start with this watch to give you updated news about it. Things are progressing the right way for this ambitious project. The pictured watch is a partially working prototype, some functions don't work for the moment and the movement is not the final version: as you can see it, some parts are missing. But what an impressive watch! The egg shape case which may look very strange for any watch is perfect in this context and I really like the contrast between the original dial and the classic architecture of the caliber. An unique watch in the industry.
Let's discover one of the two novelties now. This novelty is the
Vintage Pulsographe. Funny point is that I was wearing a handwind chronograph with a pulsometric scale when I visited Montblanc booth: it was actually a coincidence but I could take these two pics.
So, which one do you prefer ? Swiss or German style ?
This Vintage Pulsographe is a very balanced watch dedicated to the people who are a bit afraid of the case sizes of the other Minerva chronographs. With a diameter of 38,5mm (the first of the current collection to have a diameter below 40mm), the watch seems to be small according to the current standards but for an elegant watch, it is perfect. Look at the beautiful contrast between the black enamel dial and the pink gold case (the white gold version has a white dial). The red scale and the red second hand give a sportive touch without disturbing the overall harmony of the watch. As usual, the Vintage Pulsographe is powered by a low frequency caliber (2,5hz), the 13-21 which has a diameter of 29,5mm. It is as beautiful as the larger calibers and features the typical arrow-ended bridge. The Vintage Pulsographe is available with WG or PG cases in LE of 58 watches each.
The next watch is not really a novelty but it's worth posting some pics: it is a new version of the
Grand Chronographe Regulateur with a dial without guillochage: I prefer this version, the dial becomes more neat and the readability is improved. I prefer the guilloche dials in the context of simple dials. You will notice the specific power reserve display with two hands. The hidden hand is used for the red scale which is in fact the zone in which you need to wind the watch.
The
ExoToubillon was presented in 2010 but I couldn't resist to show you a few pics of this watch which is easily recognizable with its Tourbillon bridge and its very large balance wheel.
But without any doubt, the main novelty of this year coming from Minerva is the
Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique.
This watch is hypnotizing. I consider it as a true improvement of the Tourbillon Heures Mystérieuses. Why ? Because the dial was removed to unveil the mechanism parts front side. I was a bit frustrated by the Heures Mystérieuses. I found it a bit too Tourbillon focussed. The caseback was full and dial side, only the Tourbillon (even if it is a gorgeous one) was visible. I had the wish to see at least a few wheels!
With the Bi-Cylindrique, the dial becomes a show. The Tourbillon is still as impressive thanks to its size and to the interlaced bridge. There is a true feeling of depth with the floating hands, the mechanisms parts and of course the Tourbillon. Obviously, the watch is not "mysterious" anymore... because the system which moves the sapphire disks of the time display becomes visible.
If you carefully look at the Tourbillon on the pictures (put your glasses on!), you will see the two cylindrical springs. The use of these cylindrical springs was possible due to the height of the watch: watching the inner and the outer springs at work is enjoyable!
For me, this Bi-Cylindrique is one of my fav watches of the SIHH: it is complex without becoming buzy. This watch is a proof of the potential of the Minerva manufacture at Villeret.
I would like to thank a lot the Montblanc team and Mr Cabiddu for the warm welcome.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2011-02-09 15:32:21 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2011-03-22 16:54:02 
