WATCH & JEWELRY /
SIHH＆BASEL
March 26, 2015
MONTBLANC | 2011 S.I.H.H. Report! New Models Announced to Commemorate the 190th Anniversary of the Chronograph's Birth
MONTBLANC | MONTBLANC
Celebrating the 190th Anniversary of the Chronograph
Announcing a Special New Model!
Montblanc has captured the attention of watch enthusiasts since becoming a manufacture in 2008. This year marks the 190th anniversary of the chronograph's invention, and a new model has been released from the "Timewalker" collection.
By Yasuto Shibuya
Montblanc's Endeavors as a Manufacture Maison
Since the unveiling of its first fully in-house developed model, the "Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph," in April 2008, the brand has established itself as a true watchmaking maison, handling the entire process of mechanical movement development, design, manufacturing, and assembly in-house. Recognized as a "manufacture," Montblanc has become an essential brand for watch connoisseurs.
This luxury brand, with its origins in writing instruments, first participated in S.I.H.H. and launched its initial watch collection, "Meisterstück," 14 years ago in 1997. Since then, the company has steadily evolved.
In 2006, celebrating its 100th anniversary, Montblanc introduced a complex timepiece. The following year, in 2007, in collaboration with the legendary chronograph brand "Minerva," which it had acquired, the company released the "Collection Villeret 1858," a collector's model utilizing a historic chronograph movement. Today, operating with two watch factories in Le Locle and Villeret (formerly Minerva), Montblanc offers a diverse range of models, from the affordably priced "Timewalker" collection to artistic grand complications.
According to Montblanc, 2011 marks the 190th anniversary of the invention of the chronograph – the device that "writes time" – by Nicolas Rieussec. To commemorate this, new chronographs have been introduced from the "Collection Villeret 1858," "Nicolas Rieussec," and "Timewalker" lines. Additionally, the "Star" collection's world time model, with an anticipated price in the low 400,000 yen range, and the "Collection Villeret 1858" tourbillon model are also noteworthy new releases.
MONTBLANC Timewalker Twinfly Chronograph Black Titanium
Features a new mechanism where the chronograph seconds hand and the coaxial minute counter both perform a flyback function!
This new chronograph in the "Timewalker" collection is equipped with the new "MB LL100" movement, developed by Montblanc to commemorate the 190th anniversary of the chronograph's birth.
"Twinfly" is short for the twin flyback mechanism. A flyback mechanism allows the chronograph hands to be reset to zero and restart timing instantly by pressing the reset button, even while the chronograph is running. In this model, the minute counter is placed coaxially with the hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands, allowing the counter to be read with the same ease as reading minutes. This enables the function where its short red hand, along with the chronograph seconds hand, returns to zero simultaneously (the chronograph seconds hand and the minute counter fly back together).
Furthermore, a 24-hour subdial for a second time zone is also equipped at the 12 o'clock position. With such a range of functions and a new in-house chronograph movement, the price in the low 1 million yen range is exceptionally good value. The case is made of titanium with a scratch-resistant black DLC coating. The all-black design, from the dial to the strap, is also a significant appeal. A stainless steel case model is also available, priced even more affordably at 703,500 yen (preliminary price).
Automatic, 43mm diameter black DLC-coated titanium case, alligator strap, sapphire crystal case back, 1,155,000 yen (preliminary price). Scheduled for release in September.
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