Comments:
Montblanc 1858 Collection – Part Three
Dear PuristS,
The downside is the case to house such a movement has to be big and hence PuristS with small wrist sizes may not welcome a watch case of 44mm.
See below for the first three references launched, along with their published prices from Montblanc.
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 part three, let’s take a look at the
inspiration behind the beautifully finished Montblanc Villeret monopusher
calibre MB M16.29, which powers the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter (which I know
some of us have secretly ordered but I won’t disclose who for now 
) , as well as share the other models in the 1858
collection. I believe Montblanc can develop this young collection with more
models in the future, beyond a tachymeter chronograph and manual small seconds,
as this vintage inspired collection has huge potential, in my personal opinion.
) , as well as share the other models in the 1858
collection. I believe Montblanc can develop this young collection with more
models in the future, beyond a tachymeter chronograph and manual small seconds,
as this vintage inspired collection has huge potential, in my personal opinion. Calibre MB M16.29 – inspiration and construction
code
The calibre 16.29 is an in-house developed
monopusher calibre from the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret. The chronograph
movement, like many high end traditional chronographs, features a column wheel
and horizontal disc clutch. It is a huge movement for a wrist watch — the size
of a typical pocket watch movement. The calibre is around 38mm in diameter,
which means the case can only be 43 or 44mm and above. It also has a large
screwed balance wheel with a traditional frequency of 18,000 semi-oscillations
per hour.
The modern calibre 16.29 is inspired by the
original Minerva chronograph movement, the calibre 17.29, which was designed by
Minerva in 1929. See below for the comparison between the vintage 17.29 and the
modern 16.29. One key difference between the vintage and modern version is that
the vintage version, though designed and constructed nicely, was not finished
to the level of haute horology finishing standards as Minerva was not a haute
horology maison in the old days (although still highly regarded as a specialist
in chronographs). The modern 16.29 calibre, however, is beautifully hand
finished with several codes of high end finishing such as Cotes de Geneve
patterns and sublime beveling, in line with the haute horology positioning of
Minerva and Montblanc Villeret today.
My personal favorite part of the movement, other
than the huge balance wheel oscillating at a “leisurely” pace (a joy to view),
is the V-shaped Minerva chronograph bridge. This is also utilized in my calibre
13.21, a smaller monopusher chronograph from Montblanc Villeret. When my 1858
Chronograph Tachymeter arrives, I will definitely want to write an owner’s
review to compare the 13.21 vs the 16.29 calibres.
Montblanc Villeret calibre 13.21 and 16.29
One advantage the calibre 16.29 has over the
13.21 is the size of the movement and parts. The larger size allows larger
components such as a larger V-chronograph bridge, larger balance wheel and
Minerva arrowhead. I feel size does matter to enhance the looks of the
movement.
Take a look at the hand-finished V-bridge, a
signature from Montblanc Villeret. The hand finishing work for this chronograph
bridge takes around one week to complete.
The Minerva arrow head is another detail I love.
It is also hand finished and takes around 5 days of work.
The downside is the case to house such a movement has to be big and hence PuristS with small wrist sizes may not welcome a watch case of 44mm.
1858 family in the collection
There are 2 key models in this new 1858
collection, the Manual Small Seconds, using a Unitas movement, as well as the
1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, a watch which has won many PuristS’ hearts in a
short time since its launch.
See below for the first three references launched, along with their published prices from Montblanc.
1. The regular Manual Small Second in steel (strap
or bracelet),
2. The Limited Edition 858 pieces Manual Small
Second in steel with a more vintage patina lume design and
3. The red gold 1858 Chronograph Tacyhmeter,
limited to 100 piecesAll
models in the 1858 collection have the historic Montblanc logo on the dial,
which is very appropriate for a vintage inspired collection.
Very soon after this initial launch, Montblanc
released more models in the 1858 collection. I suspect the theme for watches
recently is “blue is the new black”:
1. A blue dial 1858 Manual Small Second in steel
and
2. the very popular (on PuristSPro) blue dial 1858
Monopusher Chronograph Tachymeter in steel (limited to 100 pieces)
I have not seen the blue dial 1858 Manual Small
Second in the metal yet. If the blue dial is the same blue as the Monopusher
Chronograph Tachymeter, I am sure I will like it too. If any PuristS have live
pictures of the 1858 Manual Small Second in blue dial, please share them here
with us!
Let me know your thoughts on the 1858
collection, now that you have seen it all.
Do you like the blue dial versions more?
Cheers
robin
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 the left.
Do you have any explanation on that point?
I am dreaming to see Montblanc giving this watch a movement at the level of the " Chronograph " and its cal 16.29, truth to be told...
Best, my friend, and thanks for this interesting thread.
Nicolas
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 the Unitas movement is also quite cool but the finishing is very industrial I must admit
On the 2 versions of the 1858 Manual Small Second on strap, the first from left is the regular production edition. Third from left is the LE 858 pieces with a more vintage looking patina lume (creamy and yellow lume vs the more whitish lume on the regular edition)
Cheers
Robin
As for the 1858 manual small second, agree the movement could have been a more interesting one. The huge balance wheel on the Unitas movement is also quite cool but the finishing is very industrial I must admit
On the 2 versions of the 1858 Manual Small Second on strap, the first from left is the regular production edition. Third from left is the LE 858 pieces with a more vintage looking patina lume (creamy and yellow lume vs the more whitish lume on the regular edition)
Cheers
Robin
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 I find that a different price for such small differences is not really justified, in my opinion, at least.
Best,
Nicolas
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 I find that a different price for such small differences is not really justified, in my opinion, at least.
Best,
Nicolas
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
Great news! So, that makes three Mods, and some of our members to get it! [nt]
No message body
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 passion thanks to this board.
The Power of Community!
The Power of Community!
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
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 to check the Retail price levels for these two,
whereby clearly the Small Second will be much less, I expect)..
Next step will be to see those in the real, and play with them,
asap..
Cheers & Best,
hs
( 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 to check the Retail price levels for these two,
whereby clearly the Small Second will be much less, I expect)..
Next step will be to see those in the real, and play with them,
asap..
Cheers & Best,
hs
Look at Robin's original post, the infos about the retail are here.
Still, the Monopusher is a deal. A real deal.
Best,
Nicolas
Best,
Nicolas
Thx for the hint.. Will do accordingly.. Yes, is a sort of temptation ! .. Best ! [nt]
No message body
Yes, you should have a look at this one. My bet is that it will be a hot piece. [nt]
No message body
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
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
Thx again & Best,
hs
Thanks, Robin, for this post.
.The M16.29 is indeed a beautiful calibre, and that blue dial monopusher in steel is a tempting treat for certain. Impressive offering from MB.
Best,
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-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
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
- 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
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
Regards,
skyeriding