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Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Burgundy
Montblanc introduces a new 100 pieces limited edition Burgundy 1858 Split Second Chronograph.
The large hand-wound pocket watch-inspired MB 16.31 calibre measures 38.4 x 8.13 mm, dimensions which are larger than those of a dress watch like Vacheron Constantin's ref. 82172, which measures 38 x 7.7 mm.
So, inevitably, the watch is big: 44 x 15.2 mm.
The case is made of stainless steel and features a fixed 18k white gold fluted bezel.
The dark burgundy dial with sunray finish has two black counters at 3 o'clock for 30-minutes elapsed time and at 9 o'clock for small seconds.
The Arabic hour numerals are luminescent, the hours, minutes and small seconds hands are rhodium-plated, while the chronograph hands are white lacquered.
As the watch is said to take its inspiration from the first 42 mm military monopusher flyback chronographs from the 1930s, I tried to find a close example.
Best, Emmanuel
A/ Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph ref. MB134029
credit: monochrome & montblanc (last four images)
B/ Minerva Military Monopusher Chronograph from the 1930s
credit: menta watches
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Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Burgundy
Montblanc introduces a new 100 pieces limited edition Burgundy 1858 Split Second Chronograph . The large hand-wound pocket watch-inspired MB 16.31 calibre measures 38.4 x 8.13 mm , dimensions which are larger than those of a dress watch like Vacheron Cons...
Only for large wrists, unfortunately!
But beautiful, no doubt about it. Cheers, Emmanuel
Thanks for your reassurance, Nico.
As the 44mm size is the main obstacle/concern between this beauty and me 🥲
It’s a truly wonderful piece 👌🏻👏🏻👍🏻
Visually stunning and the movement is a dream. What is less so is the bizarre decision to have lumed hour markers but no lime on the hands. Some designer clearly didn’t think this through 🤦🏻♂️
Agreed, strange decision,
which seems to make legibility a bit of an issue here. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you for another excellent write up
I still prefer my dial, and that both markers and hands are lumed. ...
Thank for the kind words, loujo.
Your dial is wonderful indeed and lumed hands to match the numerals is much better, I fully agree. Best, Emmanuel
Finally the Minerva name appears on the dial
all that is necessary now is for the Montblanc name to be removed! A stupendous watch irrespective of the size.
I would like it better too without Montblanc!
And they should've lumed the hands. Best, Emmanuel
I would too, but I think my wrist wouldn't ;-)
Have a nice weekend, E. Best, Emmanuel
What a beautiful and classy looking Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph.
Whilst so much of this watch is great including the beautifully finished movement I can't get over the fact that the numerals are lumed but not the hands. As I may have mentioned a few times in my other posts, being able to easily read the information fro...
I completely agree with you, Marc.
Legibility is clearly an issue here and it's hard to understand why they didn't lume the hands. Best, Emmanuel
I immediately did a deep dive when I saw that announcement yesterday, became disillusioned quickly .
that case size ( did they take a Time Machine back to 2000?) 44mm X 15+mm , for the love of God…I have a 12 year old girls size wrist!! The burgundy dial and layout , the movement it’s all exquisite, the price seems quite high. It looks like to wears quit...
The size, yes, and the absence of lume on the hands
are the too negative points for me. But even without these negative points I wouldn't be interested: such a price for a steel watch makes no sense for me and there are other watches which I'm much more in love with. Have a nice weekend, Larry. Best, Emman...
Size aside…
I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a traditional rattrapante with this level of finishing to be had for $15k.
I want to like it
I love Minerva chronos, but they are too big and thick for this rattrapante. I was surprised there was no coverage of MB that I saw at w+w. I had seen the releases with this and the annual calendar, but surprised no videos by anyone. For me this dial is g...
Size and absence of lume on the hands are indeed negative elements for me too.
But even without these negative points I wouldn't be interested: such a price for a steel watch makes no sense for me and there are other watches I'm much more in love with. Have a nice weekend! Best, Emmanuel
I agree with you on the pricing
When the watch I have came out in 2019, it was priced at $31,000/€32,000. It’s bronze and no gold bezel of course. I believe the new one is €55,000? I don’t see how they could justify the €23,000 increase in price. But it also means one is likely to get i...
Totally agreed, Kevin. I am also very surprised that somehow little or none coverage of MB novelty launched at WW2025.....
Thanks Emmanuel for sharing the wonderful photos. I have also seen this new version of split second chronograph at a local MB event today. The 44mm case and thickness are indeed significant negative factors, yet the clean two tone bicompax dial and gorgeo...
Great, Henry!
Thanks for sharing these hands on photos! How about legibility and the lack of lume on the hands? Best, Emmanuel
Dear Emmanuel, I do like the Breguet style fish eye hands.
It will be difficult to apply lume on this kind of hands. In fact, I much prefer this than the cathedral hands on previous versions of MB split second chronograph. The legibility is not a problem, due to the high contrast between shiny silver hands and th...
Thank you for your feedback, Henry.
I understand better why they chose to do the hands without lume and it's great to know that in the flesh legibility is fine. I wish you the best for this decision: only you can tell if it feels ok on your wrist! Best, Emmanuel
Every thing has been said already by others
so I won’t repeat. But it is wonderful to see “Minerva” back on the dial in the same font style and such. I would also like to see it on the clasp as well as the the single arrow (can’t be done here for this ref I know). The MB logo can be moved to the ca...
Thank you Marc!
I completely agree with you on concerning the MB logo. Best, Emmanuel