Montblanc

160 Years of Fine Watchmaking Heritage

The Minerva heritage and legacy dates back to 1858 when the company founded by Charles-Ivan Robert specialized in gold pocket watches. The Montblanc Star Legacy Collection takes its inspiration from the Minerva heritage and the company’s pocket watches that were made during the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. Montblanc’s archives show the existence of international orders from very early on, with some of the watches destined for railway companies.

 The legibility of the dials was of particular importance and some of the movements were cased in wristwatches.

As early as the year 1880, the manufacture had started to specialise in timekeepers that could be wound with a crown (called “remontoir au pendant” in French). These innovative pocket watches were among the first to be wound through the crown instead of a separate key. This is the reason why Minerva experienced considerable global success very early. 

The Spirit of Classical Fine Watchmaking

Montblanc reinterprets its iconic Star Legacy Collection, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year, by keeping the key elements, but enhancing the level of classical finishing and the sophistication of its design.

Inspired by the Minerva pocket watches, such as the Gold Hunter Calibre 19’’ from 1927, the new timepieces feature round cases with a curved finish on the sides, giving a refined and  shaped pebble effect, along with horns that have steps on the sides. Continuing the journey into classical fine watchmaking, the crowns stand out with their recognisable and easy-grip onion-shape, adorned on the side with the recognisable Montblanc emblem.

In these new versions, the dials of the Star timepieces are highlighted by prominent Arabic numerals. Their shape and size, however, have been slightly redesigned, bringing refinement. Other important aesthetic details include a unique railway minute track on the Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph, which is of particular note as it features dots instead of lines (a rare twist found only in very few models from the late 19^th century or the beginning of the 20^th century) and a beautiful filet sauté guilloché running around the dial and outlining it.

Completing the overall design, the dial features the elegant blued leaf shaped hands, contributing to a contemporary, yet classic aesthetic. 

Thanks to a large choice of distinctive straps made by the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence, the Montblanc Star Legacy Collection is the perfect way for the watch connoisseur to enhance his outfits and express his own personal style.