Montblanc - Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph, ref. 116243

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph, ref. 116243

Nov 16, 2021,18:36 PM

With thanks in part to veterans on WPS, I've warmed to the work of Montblanc over the past 12 months or so.

The first 15 years of Montblanc's incorporation of Minerva has produced some startlingly beautiful work. It's fascinating to listen to Davide Cerrato talk about the company's strategy and plans too. If his interview with Europa Star in 2018 and the watches since are anything to go by, we can expect Montblanc to cement itself as a first-tier purveyor in years to come: a large company producing high-end watches in boutique fashion.

As for my first foray, I've had my sights trained on the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph for about six months. It was either the version with the rose gold/black dial, or steel/blue dial, or in bronze with a sunburst champagne dial. I opted for the bronze version, pictured below.

I'll take possession of it in January, partly because I've somewhat over-extended myself....

Have a nice day, all.

Photos courtesy of AB2W, Hodinkee and SJX.

More posts: 1858 CollectionCalibresMonopusher Chronograph

Comments: view entire thread

I'm not a big Davide Cerrato guy.

By: MichaelC : November 16th, 2021-18:40

I will continue to admit that these 1858 monopushers are gorgeous watches. Congratulations on your watch. But the company and customer service support? No thank you. Hope you get a good one.

Thank you, and tell me more! I'm more than curious, so do please share your impressions

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-18:57

I tend to roll with the punches when it comes to my collection. I don't expect smooth sailing with every watch all of the time; they're like children who need to be raised on their own terms. So long as the watches aren't fake or fatally compromised in so...

You can search on the forum, basically the worst service experience imaginable.

By: MichaelC : November 17th, 2021-14:09

I have serviced watches with probably 6 different brands. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate every other experience between an 8-10. Montblanc, 0.

I'm sorry to learn you had a poor experience - I'll pass on the particulars

By: Rosneathian : November 17th, 2021-14:34

I've lived in countries where everything from a car to a pair of shoes has been destroyed by accredited service providers. I don't exaggerate. I've had possessions written off altogether with no recourse. As far as watches are concerned, I shy away from H...

Luckily, Davide is history now

By: penfriend : November 16th, 2021-19:07

but the origins of most structural problems happened with Jerome. Davide was simply without creative talent on dial design

It looks like I have some delving to do. You won't mind if I come back for your thoughts...

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-19:08

yes, please do so

By: penfriend : November 16th, 2021-19:13

but don't worry, the successor and the HQ are aware and take care since this summer

Good to know!

By: amanico : November 16th, 2021-22:59

I gather that you had a poor service/overhaul experience...

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-23:28

Huge congratulations! There is no bad version of this awesome Chronograph, one of the finest of our modern days.

By: amanico : November 16th, 2021-18:43

Here are three versions I could take in picture: And my beloved one, to welcome yours. Enjoy! Nicolas ...

Thank you, Sir. Your own accounts and images certainly helped. Am rather looking forward to experience this watch age before my eyes, even if it's built on the inside to comfortably outlive me.

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-19:02

Thanks, my friend and enjoy.

By: amanico : November 16th, 2021-19:17

Congratulations on your first Montblanc with Minerva movement

By: penfriend : November 16th, 2021-19:05

I am sure you will not regret it. I have got 8 of these Minerva movement Montblancs and they are all doing fine. I had to sent two piece for service (regulation) in all these years and all went well.

Eight... Now that must translate into some honourable status with MB, much as they confer to super collectors of their pens. Thanks also for the insight on owner experience. I'm looking forward to it

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-19:07

well...

By: penfriend : November 16th, 2021-19:11

honorable status means mainly you get more and more pieces offered ;-) and sometimes you get involved / asked on design issues for planned watches pens are my main obsession with several dozen artisan editions. Looking forward to your first ownership pict...

Must be fun to be consulted on design. I may have come across some of your posts before. Let me know go digging. Thanks again for the kind words

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-19:14

Congrats, you chose the best version, can't wait to see your pics when it arrives

By: SALMANPK : November 16th, 2021-19:05

That's nice of you to say. All three versions that I mentioned were priced about the same upon release. Market sentiment being what it is, I was able to find the bronze version at 2/3rd that price (unworn w/B&P). Will gladly share pix when it arrives

By: Rosneathian : November 16th, 2021-19:10

Congratulations! What a wonderful watch to add to your collection. That movement is sooooo beautiful!

By: orahu : November 17th, 2021-02:43

Thank you. I made an arrangement with the dealer to collect it in January. This should be after I take receipt of another watch. It will be a nice way to start a new year.

By: Rosneathian : November 17th, 2021-02:56

Also, manual chronograph movements of this level of finesse are usually found in watches 2x or 3x what I has able to snag this for. So that's a pleasing aspect to the experience too.

Huge congrats 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

By: Watcholic_id : November 17th, 2021-02:48

and enjoy it in great health! cheers

Thank you very much. Live photos in due course, of course. Best regards.

By: Rosneathian : November 17th, 2021-02:57

One of the best oversized crowns in the world imo

By: mhz vph : November 17th, 2021-03:29

Fabulous shape and knurling (if that is the correct word to use here). Congrats on a lovely watch!

We share the same appreciation for a good crown. The close up of the crown above is a favourite

By: Rosneathian : November 17th, 2021-03:40

Thanks for the kind words too. I've enjoyed variants of this watch on this forum, beginning with the 2016 GHPG winner. Am looking forward to the bronze case of my pick ageing almost as fast as me.

😂

By: mhz vph : November 17th, 2021-03:56

That last line gave me a good chuckle. In all seriousness, I do think the tendency of bronze watches to develop patina is a sort of humanizing trait.

I didn't see that coming. Your last sentence, I mean. :)))

By: amanico : November 17th, 2021-06:14

Very nice!

By: s031746 : November 17th, 2021-12:57

Congratulations! You made the right choice with the material!

Nice of you to say. Am not a first mover so I realise I'll be experiencing bronze at least half a decade since it became vogue

By: Rosneathian : November 17th, 2021-13:57

It's a stable copper-aluminium alloy so the patina will be evenly distributed over time; the case back is part titanium part bronze to make it wearable (i suspect you know all this already!). Best regards.