Montblanc

Jaseewasee
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Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 Les Secondes au Centre Retour-à-Zéro

Finally took the time today to take some photos of a relatively new addition to the collection. There have been several in-depth posts on this model here before, so I won’t go into too much detail, but Montblanc released these in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Minerva.

There were two different versions, one in 47mm, and one in 41mm. This is the 41mm version, featuring calibre 13.18, which was only ever used in this model. This is one of 8 which was made in white gold, half of which had a white dial. The dial is hand-guilloched in solid gold.

The case features a hunter case back, and when you pull out the crown the seconds hand instantly jumps back to zero.

While on vacation back in 2023 I walked into a Montblanc Outlet here in California and asked if they ever got any watches from the Villeret collection. As luck would have it, the manager said they had just received the first one he had ever seen. He said he didn’t know much about it but would be happy to bring it out for me to look at. I was smitten.

After a few days back and forth regarding the price, we agreed on a deal, and I had them send the watch back to Villeret for a complete service. They prepared me for the fact that it would most likely take a few months to get the watch back. It ended up taking just over a year.

To their credit, both the outlet and the manufacture in Villeret were fantastic to work with. They gifted me a beautiful lacquered Montblanc watch box along with a store credit that covered the cost of another chronograph from their 1858 collection (the ones that use sellita movements). They even set up a video conference between me and the head watchmaker to apologize for the delay and talk about my watch.

I’ve been wearing the watch regularly for a few months now, and I absolutely adore it. The dial is exquisite, the movement finishing is truly exceptional, and the sculpted design of the case is really something. It wears wonderfully as well.

The only thing I didn’t care for is the leather wrapped lug design, which allowed for a way of opening the case back by pressing on the lugs. Neat idea, but I didn’t love the execution. I’ve removed the factory strap and leather wrapped lugs and fitted it with a grey nubuck strap which I like much better.

I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this one when I did, and I’m looking forward to wearing to often.

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