skyeriding
901
I love this movement for so many reasons!
The pros:
- Horizontal clutch chronograph, which is a classic design and always a nice thing to see.
- Inner angles everywhere! Not to mention outer angles. The trademark Minerva Arrow and the inner angles of the Y-bridge are the highlights. Even other top-house manufactures don't do inner anglage as sharp as these from what I've seen in photos!
- Generous anglage. Polished all over the various levers and bridges
- The exposed ratchet/crown wheels! This is personally my favourite part; most other chronographs cover up the mainspring ratchet and crown wheels with the baseplate while this one exposes them, adding plenty of detail to the movement. The ratchet wheel from photos seem to be well done with nice snailing, but what seems impressive is the polished internal spokes - not seen too often even on high-end pieces! Also means you can physically see the gears turning when you wind the watch under the chronograph levers
- Swan-neck regulator and traditional screwed balance. This is personal preference but I prefer the classic aesthetic of the swan-neck + regulator vs freesprung solutions. The swan-neck itself requires more effort to make and finish IMO
- Bevelled spokes of the brass chrono geartrain wheels
Neutral:
- It'd be awesome if they could have given the minute counter an instantaneous change mechanism
- I'd like it if the clutch bridge/arm was a concentric pivoting solution around the running seconds wheel (ala the 5170 or the Datograph), as that is a geometrically perfect pivot solution and requires less tweaking of adjusting the chrono geartrain. However, that would add more vertical height and get in the way of the stylized Minerva Arrow brake.
- Tiny column-wheel. It'd be aesthetically nicer to have a larger column wheel, but then again it could be argued a smaller column wheel requires more precision and tighter tolerances. Also, the fact its a monopusher means that it requires even more precision due to the fact the column-wheel has to rotate more precisely per click. Having five columns isn't too common either
- The detent spring for the minutes counter looks scarily thin manufactured as a single piece like that. Likely means much more care required when finishing the delicate part
Cons:
- The steel is limited edition, which means I won't be able to get one when I finally get the means many years later...
Regards,
skyeriding
Montblanc 1858 Collection – Part Three
Dear PuristS, This is the last post of my three-part series on the Montblanc 1858 collection. It’s probably a good time to take a break from the novelties released by Montblanc in SIHH 2016, as we recap a beautiful collection launched in late 2015. In par...
The level of care and decoration on the 1858 Chronograph is just amazing.
I suspect that we'll be quite a lot to own this one... Do we bet? As for the 1858 Manual Small seconds Black dial ON straps, there are two references, with two different prices. Have a look at your comp picture, the first one the left, and the third from ...
Agree Nico!
I think we can do a roll call for the 1858 chronograph Tachymeter both in steel with blue dial as well as red gold with black dial As for the 1858 manual small second, agree the movement could have been a more interesting one. The huge balance wheel on th...
Yes, it will be a hit. Aaah, by the way, they are all allocated. Now it is up to Boutiques and or ADs to sell them.
No doubt they will sell fast, and that we'll be able to launch the roll call before this summer. It will be time for me to soon post the live pics I could take of the beast... Thanks for the explanation about the 1858 Small Seconds. Now I get it, even if ...
Great post, Robin. 2 days ago, a fellow Purist called me.
He told me he is close to securing a blue dial 1858 Chronograph. I did everything I could to help sink his ship, and I think the PPro MB 1858 Chronograph Club is growing
Indeed. I bet Montblanc is proud of our forum here, and our leader Robin.
I will readily admit I have learned so much about this brand in the last 12 months on our forum. Mike has contributed so much here as well. I think it was the new releases of the past few years that got my attention, and now, the attention has turned to p...
Well, I started to pay a serious attention to the brand with the P 10 Chronograph.
In Vegas, during our IGOTT 2... Since then... It has to turn this way. Best, my friend. PS: I just realized that this year, it is the 15th anniversary of PPRO! Time to think about IGOTT 3!
thank you for your kind words Michael
It\'s this community which makes the sharing so lively and fun! Cheers Robin
Great & comprehensive write-up and also a splendid pictorial !.. These blue dial models of the 1858 series have started to grow in me.. :))
.. Currently I\'m a bit torn between the Blue Small Second, ( does it also have also the Vintage-type patina lume ?) - and of course the blue Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter, but I realize these will go fast, as 100 pieces is not a lot. ( Also will have...
Look at Robin's original post, the infos about the retail are here.
Still, the Monopusher is a deal. A real deal. Best, Nicolas
Glad you like them too hs!
The Blue dial 1858 manual small second comes with the standard lume, not the vintage patina lume in the LE black dial version In my post I have all the list prices there in euro. Hope you can see them in the metal soon Cheers Robin
Thx for info & clarification,Robin !.. Found the pics with schematic imgs + prices !
Indeed,that whole series is quite tempting -something for everyone, it appears ! Thx again & Best, hs
Thanks, Robin, for this post.
.The is indeed a beautiful calibre, and that blue dial monopusher in steel is a tempting treat for certain. Impressive offering from MB. Best,
I love this movement for so many reasons!
The pros: Horizontal clutch chronograph, which is a classic design and always a nice thing to see. Inner angles everywhere! Not to mention outer angles. The trademark Minerva Arrow and the inner angles of the Y-bridge are the highlights. Even other top-ho...
Very interesting feedback. For me, the most amazing point is the uncommon level of decoration of the movement.
not something we are used to see in: - Modern watches, - From this price range. Best, Nicolas
Agreed..
The retail price for the steel model makes it such a compelling package! Tempted Nico? Cheers, WY
Oh yes
I hope Mont Blanc comes up with more variants of case/dial based on this movement in the future. And more in steel too! Regards, skyeriding
Oh, I would too, I would too....
Especially with all that polish and inner anglage work! And in Steel! Regards, skyeriding
Great feedback on pros and cons
Love your analysis which is very insightful and objective I never thought of larger column wheels (I always focus on the balance wheels and Chrono levers only). Thanks for your good point - I will pay attention to column wheel size and finishing next time...
Add another Purist member to the list . . .
. . . I made my deposit on the stainless chronograph today. I thank MichaelC for his "encouragement." He thinks he helped sink my ship, but I was deep into the minefield already. Haha. I appreciate the write-ups on this forum, which were instrumental in g...
Excellent, M4! I hope I at least nudged you into the minefield then...
Always happy to "encourage" a friend ;-)
Thank you M4
It was my pleasure helping you and picking this extraordinary piece. Can't wait for you to see the actual piece!!
Big congrats M4!
I see that Michael has become another Vlad amongst us lol! I am very happy for you. Please share when your 1858 Chrono Tachymeter arrives And glad you like then posts here. Thanks for your encouragement. Cheers Robin
I don't have quite the reach of Count Vlad
But I try to get my friends M4 has been a very good friend of mine for quite some time, and we met online through our shared passion for AP. And now this passion spreads to other brands and hobbies. Does not get better than that.
I fell in love with this one... like everyone else!!!
absolutely love the blue dial... Cheers Andrew ...
Not for me this time Nico...
I love it and if I did not already own on MB with the 16.29, I would have certainly gone with this watch. I have seen some others I like... maybe another one will join at some time. Cheers andrew
What a nice wristshot Andrew!
Thanks for sharing! You already have the 16.29 calibre in your Villeret vintage chronograph grand feu enamel. That black enamel dial is to die for! And your orange strap - that is so Andrew! Cheers Robin
Wonderful post Robin!
I'm definitely liking the blue dial collection more, great for that weekend dress down occasion as well as being able to look formal when needed, very versatile. Fingers crossed for that allocation :P Enjoyed reading all three parts, cheers! WY