Montblanc

First, let's offer a few words to remember the watchmaker himself... This is Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec

 
 
He was already a successful young watchmaker in Paris when he was appointed as the royal watchmaker for Louis XVIII in 1817.  Just four years later, he developed his "inking chronograph" to time a horse race on the Champ de Mars which not only recorded the winning time but also for all the horses running in the race.

This invention was examined by Breguet and Gaspard de Prony for the French Academy of Sciences.  These two renowned experts proclaimed "We think that Mr. Rieussec’s Chronograph deserves the Academy’s approval".  Fast forward 17 years later to 1838, while trying to obtain a new patent for his Chronograph, Rieussec writes :

“The first Chronographs, for which I obtained a Patent in 1821, were too large in size to be easily transportable as watches, due to the complicated parts that made up the mechanism. “Since that time I have attempted to simplify the mechanism enough so that chronographs could be incorporated into very small watches, and as will be seen in the description < >, I have even combined the chronograph movement and the watch movement in a single case, such that this instrument is always available to use. The simplifications that I have added are such that I can adapt this mechanism even to the most ordinary watches and put them on the market at a very moderate price"

Now let's take a look at Montblanc's modern interpretation of Rieussec's wrist chronograph...This year's Homage to Nicolas Rieussec! 

Besides being a monopusher chronograph, Montblanc incorporated a day-night indicator, a date, and a GMT function.  These complications are essential for today's busy, successful, and well travelled gentlemen.
 

We know that functionally, this new Homage to Rieussec is essentially the same compared to previous models.  However, for some of us who thought the basic Rieussec dial design was a little too busy aesthetically, this new model is refreshingly attractive. Take a look.  These are the features which Montblanc designers used to link between the current wristwatch to the original Rieussec chronograph.


 
The resemblance carries beyond this simple comparison with the original horse race chronograph. Here is a photo of an updated chronograph /  pocketwatch which was the patent granted to Rieussec in 1838.  Notice how the main time dial is of the same concept/aesthetic on the Homage to Rieussec. 

   

Of course the most interesting new feature is the imbedded luminosity in the ceramic hours dial.  Montblanc calls this Mysterious Superluminova. 

  "The traditionally styled hour-circle is crafted from ultramodern hybrid ceramic permeated with “Mysterious Superluminova” pigments, an innovative technology exclusively created for Montblanc. These luminous pigments form the Arabic hour numerals in the characteristic font of the MontblancRieussec collection. The digits are invisible in daylight because they’re precisely embedded into the hour ring, with which they share exactly the same colour. But when the ambient light starts to dim, the luminous pigments that fill the numerals"  

 

Of course inquisitive PuristS will ask "What is a hybrid ceramic"?  Montblanc kindly provided PuristSpro with a description and an electron microscopic photo to examine.

This material comprises 60% of very fine powdered ceramic with grains measuring 1 micron of diameter. The remaining 40% comprise organic matter material, which allows you to create a material with unique properties.  Compared to standard ceramic elements, this new technic allows to create surfaces with perfect colors and scratch resistant, with exceptional touch and elegance to give the watches and other jewelry a unique look

4

I had the opportunity to see the prototype in NYC earlier this Spring.  I must admit it is extremely attractive and unique.

 

Here are photos from various angles to demonstrate:

Of course, there is a more limited series produced in rose gold.  This photo is from Oliver and Magnus at SIHH 2014.  It is also attractive if you like a watch with more contrast between the rose gold case and the silvered dial.  But the price difference...Ouch!

And here is the hybrid ceramic ring with the mysterious superluminova.  Precharge.

Postcharge.  Yup it really does work well!

The obligatory wristshot on my 7.5 inch wrist.  Again a bit thick and I really do think they need to modify the crown shape.  Otherwise this Homage to Rieussec is a homerun!

Has anyone else played with one of these?  I'd love to get your impressions.

HAGWE,

Mike

This message has been edited by mkt33 on 2014-11-14 17:29:45

I played with the proto at the SIHH, and loved it a lot.

But I must say that I love the MB Rieussec a lot. Even though it is a Young Watch, I already see it as an icon.

It brilliantly brings MB DNA.

As for this version, it adds a touch of mystery, magic and fun I appreciate a lot.

Best,

Nicolas

Wizard of MB?

Otherwise I couldn't believe how good those curved numerals look with lume..the details are pretty sharp.

Thanks for your input, I am sure MB likes to hear that they are bringing out some good designs.

Best, Mike

Thanks for the tag team! Your report is superb Mike!

Always remember there will never be a part 2 UNLESS there is a good part 1

Best, Mike

This explains everything about Rieussec and relationship to Montblanc.  Anyone interested should read this.

into a wristwatch until I did some more research.

Actually, the chronographs in his wristwatches were more traditional...in the sense that the hands moved, not the disks.

Warmest, Mike

thanks for connecting the past with the present

I really want to see this watch in person thanks to you and Robin posting such wonderful information and thoughts on it.  Very exciting watch!

Fabulous write-up. Makes me wanna get it even though I have the 'bull-horned' NB. Luckily I have budget constraints. LOL

Been awhile! Yes I will always remember your Nicolas Rieussec purchase

Great write up Mike. Love it. As you guys know my first love was my NR steel bracelet I bought a few years back. I might be in the minority, or maybe it's my love for the watch, but I love the bull horn bracket on my NR. That's not to say I don't love the new one though. This new one is very stripped and simple and that's what, in my opinion, makes Montblanc watches so damn appealing.

 

Todd

Hopefully I will have a on the wrist review soon.

Happy holidays,
Mike

Hummm   Very nice post. Thanks for this great and very interesting review.  I just discovered it.

I really like this Montblanc and specially this Nicolas Rieussec.  I have recently received an interesting offer to buy one.

But I am wondering how resists this famous Super Luminova in time ?  I mean :  after one or two years,  does this Super Luminova becomes  fade ?

( sorry if it is not the right term :  I am french ...  nobody's perfect )

I am a little bit afraid that with time going on,  the Super Luminova slowly but surely disapears.  Does someone here has experienced this Watch for a while and know how react  this S.L. ?

And by the way, is the color of the  Ceramic Disc  a little bit different than the dial?  It seems on pictures that this disc is kind of  "  pale yellow "   or  beige  ?

Thanks one more tome for this nice review.

Cordially,

Julien.

Yes the ceramic disc is more off-white and is a little different in color than the main dial which is white. I recall i noted this when i last saw the watch. The difference is not great though and I thought the slight off white color of the ceramic disc gave some depth to the dial

On the fading of the super luminova, I believe over many years or decades it will fade like all other watches. Not within 2 to 5 years but gradually I believe it will just like the lumes on other watches.

I can ask Montblanc for more details on this and will revert

Cheers
Robin

I am sure I am not the only one wondering about this Super Luminova.

I fully agree  with you on the point that the difference of color for the Ceramic Disc is a  " plus " .

I am curious to read what Montblanc gonna tell you about this  S.L. .  One more time thanks !

Julien.

Hi Julien

I got some feedback on this topic from MB HQ

My contact in MB HQ asked the product manager of the Nicolas Rieussec Collection and he told us that the SuperLuminova on the hybrid ceramic will not fade or disappear.

They have made tests about it and so far the super luminova is proving resilient and not fading

Good news to lovers of this watch!

Cheers
Robin

It was one of my main concern about this watch.

I will be in Paris next  weekend.  I will surely stop at Monblanc Boutique or at Bucherer.

For sure I will  let you know.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Julien.

Happy shopping and let us know if you do get this Homage to Nicolas Rieussec!

Cheers
Robin