SIHH 2013 PuristS Short Report: Montblanc

Feb 01, 2013,02:07 AM
 





The whole booth looked very much like an interesting gallery for modern art, but there was much more to see and to experience.







Mike already showed you the latest watches from 2013 and he also mentioned it looks like a consolidating year for Montblanc. The latter is fine for me, especially if the evolution shown is well done like this. We (Magnus & me) didn´t see the whole collection and tried to focus on something we were especially interested in. So, let´s have a look what we saw (with our cameras).

 

Retrospect - 2012 Star of the Show

2012 was an impressive year with lots of novelties from Montblanc, but there was one standing out (even when it was shown as a prototype only): Time Writer II Bi-Fréquence



Shown here on the picture from our dear FX and next to the pocket watch this inspired it.


Another one was the Vintage Tachydate - handwinding, monopusher ... and a very nice solution for the date ...



Of course there was much more in 2012 and for those who are interested to see it again I would recommend
to have a (second, third ... smile ) look here:  montblanc.watchprosite.com 0

 

2013 Star of the Show

The Rieussec Rising Hours is the new "big" novelty for this year. The characteristic face of the Nicolas Rieussec Collection is still there – in general, but this time it comes with new indications:

 

- Hours and minutes on off-center dial

- Digital hour display with integrated day/night indication

- Day by disc

- Date by disc

- Power reserve indicator on case back

 

The Rising Hours is available in three different versions: Platinum (LE 28), red gold and steel. My favorite one (from the whole Nicolas Rieussec Collection) was the platinum one (without knowing that it is platinum), why am I not surprised smile

The version shown in the following pictures is the steel one, which is my second favorite and it was very nice to see it in the metal.

Let´s start with a “small” detail in blue …




… which needs some extra parts below the dial.







Clever and nice, isn´t it?




If someone is in the market for a special (and relatively affordable) chronograph, he should have a closer look on this one.







 

Other “Novelties” 2013

 

Timewalker World-Time Hemispheres - Northern Hemisphere model (white dial) and its corresponding Southern Hemisphere model (gray dial).

 


















Both are nice watches, with an interesting complication and case.

 

A new version of the TwinFly:




Nothing is wrong with that one, but I would not call it outstanding.

 

Collection Villeret – this one is something not to forget, because to me it shows what Montblanc is able to do these days – high end watchmaking. For me it was the first time to look at it in detail and to make it short: I really liked what I saw – even when most of the watches we saw are slightly too big for my personal taste.

 

The latest version of the Exotourbillon Chronograph in white gold (there is a new one in red gold as well) looks very impressive and shows great details. The different finishing’s on the dial and the way the four-minute tourbillon is presented is very, very nice.













 

Mystery Tourbillon – the watch itself is not new, but this time in a more classical version. A hell of a watch, but I guess not for everybody – or at least everybody’s wrist. Nonetheless, a feast for the eyes.























Chronograph Grand Regulateur Nautique – technically a very interesting watch with lots to explore on the front and on the back. The idea that it is a mono-pusher is something I like a lot.















My favorite part is the manually wound movement with column-wheel and horizontal coupling.







 

Villeret Secondes Authentiques – several models for ladies & couples, but you won´t see all of them now.



A mother of pearl dial is always something special and it is very nice to see how it changes the color in different light.
















Let me close with this nice (very classical) view on the back and I can promise there will be more to see/read in the near future – by fellow moderators.

 

The passion for watches we saw at the team was very addictive and all I can say is that I appreciated it a lot.
Thanks, you know who you are!

 

Oliver

This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-02-01 02:23:07 This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-02-01 03:15:04

 


This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-02-01 04:22:23 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2013-02-01 10:18:52 This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2013-02-15 16:04:15


More posts: Bi-FréquenceCalibresCollection VilleretExoTourbillon ChronographNicolas Rieussec Chronograph AutomaticNicolas Rieussec CollectionNicolas Rieussec Rising HourTachydate

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

Great report.

 
 By: VMM : February 1st, 2013-04:31
The Rising Hours was my favorite affordable novelty at the Montblanc booth. Thanks for sharing, Oliver. cheers Vte :)

Thanks, Vincente!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 5th, 2013-02:17
.

Terrific report

 
 By: respo : February 1st, 2013-06:21
Montblanc keeps improving and creating more and more interesting pieces. Thank you, Oliver, for sharing all of this with us and with such beautiful photography. Best, respo

Thanks a lot, respo!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 5th, 2013-02:18
.

Fantastic report! SLW!!!

 
 By: doubleup : February 1st, 2013-10:36
I love their tourbillons. Was there any talk of the Metamorphis coming to market? I know that is old news but have the had success to your knowledge of getting some out there? I want to say a year ago they were hoping to start deliveries. Thanks again

Good things come to those who wait...

 
 By: patrick_y : February 3rd, 2013-19:25
From what I hear, the Metamorphosis is slowly being delivered. Until you get to see them in person, I have this photo for you. Photo by Patrick_y, for PuristSPro (C) 2013 ...  

Thanks, doubleup!

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 5th, 2013-02:19
.

Villerret is always my fav...

 
 By: KIH : February 2nd, 2013-19:40
... I wish Exotourbillon were a bit smaller, though... Nice collection from Vellerret. Seconds Authentique is very nice, too. Would love to meet in person.... Thanks for the report, Oliver. Ken

Villeret ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 5th, 2013-02:24
to be on the big side is part of their approach - a strength & a weakness. Ken, I know we feel the same way :-) Oliver

So sorry to have missed you at the booth Oliver

 
 By: Tick Talk : February 3rd, 2013-10:21
OTOH, your pictures are waaaay better and help to relive the moment :-) Cheers, Dean

Dean, the last time we met ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 5th, 2013-02:16
we had plenty of time for talking. This year everything was somehow different, but I hope you and your wife spent a great time in CH. Thanks for your kind words! Oliver

True Oliver :-(

 
 By: Tick Talk : February 6th, 2013-08:03
After the hustle of Geneva, we enjoyed a week R&R in the Jungfrau region. I had time for a few cigars too! ...  

Next time we have to do it together ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 6th, 2013-11:45
... burnt i nc ense in the high places, and on the hills ... :-) Oliver

What's the case size of the ladies' Villeret Secondes Authentiques?

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 3rd, 2013-11:15
For men who don't like the large Villeret cases, this smaller ladies' Villeret case will be perfect. I wonder if Villeret has any plans to make men's watches using this same ladies' case? Cheers, Anthony

A very usable size...

 
 By: patrick_y : February 3rd, 2013-18:56
The latest Villeret Secondes Authentiques are actually a great size. The ladies' model measures in at 36 mm in diameter with a height of 9.6 mm. The men's model measures in at 39 mm in diameter with a height of 9.6mm. Currently the men's model in this siz... 

Thanks Oliver! I guess I need to take a different prespective

 
 By: mkt33 : February 5th, 2013-05:41
after reading your great report. It made me realize that Montblanc has invested a lot of time and resources for the Villeret models it has shown at SIHH over the past 3 years. Just a quick look at all the complex watches: The Metamophosis The Grande Regul...