jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
[Moderator]
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Montblanc 1858 Collection – Part One
Lots of of details have been discussed on PuristSPro’s Montblanc forum, concerning the new Montblanc 1858 collection — especially the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, with the beautifully-designed and finished calibre 16.29.
I would like to share a three-part post on the
1858 collection, to explain the inspiration behind the creation of this new
collection, the design codes of the watch and the movement’s inspiration, as
well as the watches of this new collection. There is one watch that is not
widely shown yet and I will give a preview in this first post. 
Inspiration behind the Montblanc 1858 Collection
This collection is inspired by the Minerva
manufacture, which is now part of Montblanc. It is Montblanc’s responsibility to continue to grow, safeguard
and build on this proud heritage and the know-how it has inherited from
Minerva. It makes sense then for Montblanc to create new collections and
watches that are inspired by Minerva, to draw on its rich history and to continue
to build from Minerva’s glorious past, especially its reputation in
chronographs and precision measurement of time.
The Minerva manufacture, has an uninterrupted
157-year heritage of Swiss watchmaking since 1858 when their founder,
Charles-Yvan Robert founded the manufacture in the village of Villeret in the
Saint-Imier valley.
Portrait of Charles-Yvan Robert
The Minerva manufacture soon gained recognition
as one of Switzerland’s most respected specialists in chronometric functions
for precise time measuring.
The manufacture in the old days.
Today, the workshop is still in the same
location in Villeret.
The Minerva Heritage – Precision and Expertise
Note: I don’t think anyone knows for sure but
Longines probably produced the first chronograph wristwatch in 1913, a
monopusher chronograph.
As one of the most renowned experts and
innovators in precision timekeeping, Minerva was able to build on its strength
and developed calibres that could measure time with frequencies starting from
1/5th, 1/10th and up to 1/100th of a second. In
fact, Minerva was the first to unveil a mechanical movement that could measure
up to a hundredth of a second.
Minerva (now the Montblanc Villeret manufacture) always had a
gem in its hand, i.e. the complete in-house manufacture of its own balance
wheel and hairspring. This technical expertise, which is really rare in the
world of watchmaking, combined with Minerva’s mastery of various timekeeping
frequencies, enabled Minerva to establish its reputation in chronometric
precision and especially the production of chronograph watches.
The 1858 Collection – Design and Movement
Inspiration
Since Montblanc’s new global CEO joined the
company in mid-2013, we have observed Montblanc releasing several new watches
and especially two key collections, the Heritage Spirit and Heritage Chronometrie
collections. Those were good calls imho as they enhanced Montblanc’s offerings
in the classical watches genre (at accessible prices generally), beyond their
traditional classical watches in the Star,
Nicolas Rieussec and Villeret collections, which Montblanc continued to build
on with some exciting new models e.g. Homage to Nicolas Rieussec as well as
several new Timewalkers including the Extreme, Urban Speed and the latest
ExoTourbillon Chronograph.
I had been thinking after the launch of the Heritage Chronometrie
collection, what would be a new collection for Montblanc? Another line with
classical design cues would be too boring, in my opinion. I was also hoping
Montblanc would continue to draw more inspiration from the rich archives of
Minerva when they create new collections or to enrich current collections.
Hence the appearance of the new 1858 collection pleased me personally a lot.
The 1858 collection, by virtue of its name, is
definitely a collection that pays homage to Minerva, which was founded back in
1858. The flagship timepiece launched in this new collection, i.e. the 1858
Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter, has the calibre 16.29, which is a worthy
successor of the calibre 17.29 used in a Minerva Monopusher chronograph back in
1930.
The huge movement, very large slow oscillating
balance wheel and beautifully designed layout of the chronograph levers and
movement plates are apparent in both the vintage and current calibres.
The current 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter in red gold side by side with its vintage sibling from the 1930s.
Of course, we also know by now there is also a
gorgeous 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter in steel with blue dial. Here I am going
to confess something: I have ordered that watch! Once it comes in 2016, I will
share it with fellow PuristS here.
But did we know the 1858 Manual Small Seconds also has a blue dial version? A teaser here
In the next part of my post, I will share more
on the design codes of the new 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter and how the dial,
case and movement are inspired from the vintage Minerva Chronograph.
Stay tuned!
Cheers,
robin
This message has been edited by jrwong23 on 2015-12-12 20:53:58
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Montblanc 1858 Collection – Part One
Lots of of details have been discussed on PuristSPro’s Montblanc forum, concerning the new Montblanc 1858 collection — especially the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, with the beautifully-designed and finished calibre 16.29. I would like to share a three-part...
Hehe. I was pulling your leg bro
But yes that was the killer statement from my post indeed. I am doing lots of wrist exercise now to hopefully increase wrist size lol Cheers Robin
Doing more push-ups now
I doubt it will increase wrist size to be honest Luis but at least it is helping me to keep fit Cheers Robin
Just don't forget the isometrics and the rubber ball.
And congratulations. I can't wait to see it on your wrist!
Congrats on a great catch!
Thanks to your well written article, I am also now tempted by the 1858 Small Seconds, albeit the black dial one with the vintage lume. Alas, my skinny wrist may not be able to handle it. So like you, it's time for me to do some push-ups! ;-)
Lol NT
We can do a push up gtg for the gang! :p The 1858 manual small seconds is also quite big at 44mm and as it is thinner, I feel it wears even larger on the wrist. Go and try the regular 1858 Manual Small Seconds when you have the time at the Montblanc bouti...
PuristS fitness club sounds good my friend
Gtg with sports watches as main theme lol Cheers Robin
Already practising...
going to buy this and put my left hand to work, while using my right hand to guzzle those protein shakes! ...
It was thanks to you my dear friend Nico
That this steel blue dial 1858 chronograph Tachymeter caught my attention. Initially I had assumed this watch is just too big for me and I would pass but now I am convinced and prepared to wear a larger pilot theme watch . Remember you teasing me to share...
Interesting post and happy for you to know you finally
decided to add it (the blue steel version) in your beautiful collection. Wait to discover parts II & III ;-)) Congratulations Robin, Cheers, Patrickh
Thank you Patrickh
Part 2 and 3 will come soon I really hope to showcase the 16.29 more. Really a beautiful movement which I had targeted for the longest time - just that it has always been on Montblanc Villeret watches that were too big for me like 47mm (even the 43.5mm Vi...
Thanks my friend!
You had covered some of it in your review too I hope to expound on this topic more Cheers Robin
Congrats Robin. I blame you, you blame Nico, it's all good!
I replied the first time I saw the photo of the blue you posted. It is definitely a watch to have.
Yes, your old buddy JL coming around to haunt us all!
What a job he is doing with Montblanc.
Lol! The white wizard
I thought he was Wizard of Oz, the strong and mighty :p Cheers Robin
The allure of this Montblanc 1858 Chrono Tachymeter blue dial in steel
Is growing very strong in you Michael! Don\'t resist anymore! Ask your local AD or boutique soon Yes you can blame me, I blame Nico, Nico blames Jerome.... Actually I should blame Alex Schmidt - he was the first one who showed me this watch in the metal! ...
I didn't know that!
Must have missed your post on this. Congrats my friend!! Soon we can do a roll call! With Alex 007 too Cheers Robin
I guess I did not actually announce it
But in the very first thread about this new collection, I indicated the blue steel chrono would hopefully be my first MB. Usually I don't post when I have something on hold, I never count on it until it is fully "in hand". Hopefully this one will be, next...
Got it Michael. Fingers crossed! :)
I can\'t wait! Mine will also be in 2016 after SIHH - could be Feb or March Let\'s patiently wait for now Cheers Robin
We all know you will be the Captain of this club ;-)
Quit screwing around and get it locked up. Or have you already as well?!?
Me too... hence I am in no rush!
But I really should keep off this forum to help myself cope.
I think it is always interesting to what where our watches come from
That's what I did with the 5170 too. Very interesting post Robin and of course... huge congratz for the purchase! This is a great model to have indeed and I'm looking forward to your future posts about it. Have a nice Sunday, Cheers, Mark
Thanks Mark!
Indeed I am always fascinated by the inspiration of watches - especially if the source has a strong heritage. Some call it marketing ... I am ok with this as I like a story behind a watch Cheers Robin
Congratulations!
Soon your number of appendages will not suffice for the next meeting, in spite of double booking
Hahaha that's funny my friend
I will have to bring my treasure chest watch box then Cheers Robin