jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
[Moderator]
14255
Solid gold case,
Solid gold dial, grand feu enamel on the solid gold dial, solid gold hands, hunter case back, lower production numbers (piece unique for PT, LE 8 for WG, LE 58 for red gold - and now all newer Villerets are only Piece unique or LE Max up to 18). This 1858 Chrono is LE 100 which will be considered a high number by Villeret standards.
It is also the prestige of the collection. The Montblanc Collection Villeret IMHO not only has a Minerva movement (some of which has trickled to the non Villeret collection like this 1858 Chrono or the Heritage Spirit Pulsograph). It also has all the extra fine codes of high watch making like I mentioned above plus the positioning and lower limited productions.
Hence I don't feel bad being an owner of the older Villeret chronograph grand feu enamel LE 8. I think that watch is definitely worth a premium 
Cheers
Robin
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter Steel version. First thoughts.
Minerva has a rich patrimony of some wonderful watches and movements. Montblanc revisits this large heritage, from time to time, in a modern way, for our biggest pleasure. Let me introduce you the steel version of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, which al...
very nice report.
Only fear that because of this I will also have to purchase the steel version (my RG version is due to arrive in a few weeks)
That blue sunburst dial is stunning, and the movement finishing is exquisite.
Your gusto is passionately conveyed through your writing, which is just as nice as the watch.
Great comparison !
when I saw the MontBlanc I was immediaely sold by the great blue dial and layout, having the opportunity to visit the Minverva manufacture a few months ago no one needed to convince me on the fine handcraft these people make overthere. I allready have a 5...
wow, Alex, Patrick, me .....les Belges sont éveillés
Nice post Nico These MB are superb but I'm sure it is all a matter of taste, some prefer a Datograph, others a Vacheron, etc Same with the shape of the case , while you say a 5070 could look a bit more outdated .... that makes it imo much more beautiful. ...
The Francophone world is awake, indeed. ;)
There are many things to discuss, which is very exciting. The hands, it is a wink to these old Chronographs. Liking them is indeed a matter of taste. Linking them to their roots is obvious. The shape of the case and lugs, it is clearly a choice dictacted ...
Thank you Nico for a fantastic post and Bruno for very relevant comments.
I would not hesitate between 5070P and MB a second and go for 5070P. MB is very very nice but like Bruno said, there's nothing special in the case design. Based on the looks, MB beats easily 5170 but I suppose the latter is technically more sophisticated....
I tried to compare white metal together. So WG versus Steel, and steel versus Platinum. Which makes oranges with oranges.
Even more when I find two white metal with two blue dials. But on that we agree, the apple is the 5070P. Especially if we compare the price quality ratio, which is another business platinum rule. Best, Nicolas
Big smile!
Oranges vs. oranges is gold vs. gold. We all know that the only common thing between steel, white gold and platinum is the whitish colour of the material. For a watch steel remains (IMO) the best, platinum the most difficult to work with as well as giving...
Fantastic review Nico
I hope to see this steel 1858 Chrono with the blue dial soon too! Actually Alex Schmidt is in Singapore now and many collectors have seen this watch today (unfortunately I had to take care of my kids today and couldn\'t make it to the boutique). I hope to...
I know you couldn't do it today, I " spoke " with Alex, today. ;)
And I told him that the case would be too big for your wrist. If the 44 mm time only is too big, I don't see how it could be different for the chrono case. A pity as it is wonderful, at least from what I see on official pictures. Please take a ton of pict...
Thanks Nico!
Yes I took some pics today. Met Alex and the Singapore Mgt team Will post soon Cheers Robin
That is absolutely a beauty.
You were so right about this watch. Funny...I could swear I already said this yesterday...
Thanks for looking, Padj. If I can, and after checking it in the real, I will take it!
I cannot say better... Best! Nicolas
A very nice limited edition
I'm surprised to see that I see more things (and positive) from the steel version picture than from the rose gold one. I guess it is due to the blue dial/steel case combination. I find it great and very appealing indeed (as I did already with the first Vi...
This Chrono has to be big. The movement is 38, 5 mm big, so it cannot be housed in a 40 mm
Case. And it is part of its personality and DNA. These vintage Chronos were huge ( up to 46 / 47 mm, in the Forties! ). As for the level of decoration, and your comparison with JLC, my beloved manufacture released a Duometre in a LE of 100 pieces, the UTT...
This is not exactly what I meant, let me express myself better
Of course the Minerva is better finished that the Patek (or any regular higher much higher volumes chronographs). And I don't say that the lower the volumes, the better the finishing, automatically. But, if a brand chooses to have a low output volume for ...
Yes, they were gigantic for their time.
I am very enthusiast for the reason you mentioned. The level of movement decoration, for this level of price, is just outstanding. The steel version is priced at 24 K Euros! We are not used to that, from most of the Manufactures. And when it comes to Inde...
Yes, I agree...
For that price it is indeed very hard to compete when willing to have something special (a historical soul, character) and with a very high finishing. it is nice to have this kind of offer. Cheers, Mark
You will just have to explain this affordable price to the collectors who paid at a much higher price a Villeret chronograph...
And this is maybe one of the differences between the brands: consistency in terms of strategy. I will come back to this point. Fx
Solid gold case,
Solid gold dial, grand feu enamel on the solid gold dial, solid gold hands, hunter case back, lower production numbers (piece unique for PT, LE 8 for WG, LE 58 for red gold - and now all newer Villerets are only Piece unique or LE Max up to 18). This 1858...
Your initial thoughts on this one are quite welcomed, and bold!
I happen to love the second part about it - you are not afraid to compare to Patek. And despite the inevitable "apples and oranges" sentiments, you are correct to do so. When I fell in love with watches as a young boy, and then dreamed of a nice one as I ...
The secret is here: A superb blend of old and new.
Not really a Tribute, not a new watch, a bit of both, with some liberty in the design, but in total respect of the DNA. That's just brilliant. I used to say that, for me, the watch which represented the most the DNA of the brand was the Rieussec Chronogra...
Nico you are not saying that Patek is quite expensive for what it is ,are you?:):):)
The saint inquisition will get you ,you devil.... Great presentation of a great offering from Montblanc,I appreciate the effort and the result...For chrono lovers this is a dream. The ss version is much more appealing and cool ,that movement is to die for...
In my opinion, this is an anti snobbish Chrono.
Those who only swear by the name on the dial will avoid it. Which is good. Only for those who are more interested in the inner value of a watch. Yes, a Purist Watch. Definitely. To be confirmed in the real, though. Best, Mo. Nicolas
Well, I used to think the same about many traditional brands Mo (not politically correct answer inside)
but, I would say 2 or 3 things to think about when considering watch prices today. What brand is not (too expensive) when prices asked are above 20K€? (except for gold or diamond costs), 50K€? etc... Even many high-end indies (that you know I appreciate v...
Lets don't go down the real value of the watches avenue...or we will discuss forever..
Insane?Yes.... Compared to cars?Well a good minute repeater from a well marketed brand will buy you 2(two!!!!)Rolls royce wraith,1Bentley continental and probably with the change you ll get a WWgolf for everyday....does it make sense?NO! The sublime(often...
I agree with many of your points of course Mo,
as can show my reply to the Tag Heuer recent Smartwatch announcement post, about what I think of the overmarketing strategies and M. Biver's legacy (a great manager but someone who brung too much of these technics in watchmaking, now copied by everyone to...
Je repondrai comme un vrai Belge
... so that' surely be the dial of the 5070, but definitely the Minerva mouvement. No other brand, besides Montblanc, has created beauties with that level of elegance when talking about a mouvement. Poetry, simply poetry. Very privileged to have visited t...
Excellent report and photos....thanks !.....
.... finally a good contender for the patek chronographs.. Cheers !