MONTBLANC | SIHH 2013 New Watch Collection
WATCH & JEWELRY / SIHH&BASEL
March 30, 2015

MONTBLANC | SIHH 2013 New Watch Collection


MONTBLANC


A Rich Assortment of Classic and Modern Standard Watches


Highlight: The "Riding Hours" with its Innovative Day/Night Display


Montblanc, renowned for its luxury stationery, began producing watches in 1997. Though its watchmaking history is relatively young, it has established itself as a top brand with development and manufacturing facilities in two locations in Switzerland: Le Locle and Villeret. This year, they unveiled a diverse range of new models, including the "Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours."


Text & Event Photographs by SHIBUYA Yasuhito



ChronographIn 2008, Montblanc introduced the "Nicolas Rieussec," a chronograph watch with an original design featuring two disc-type counters, named after the inventor of the chronograph. This solidified its position as a top-tier brand in watchmaking, alongside its writing instruments.



Currently, with development and manufacturing bases in Le Locle and Villeret, Switzerland, the company produces all types of timepieces, from grand complications and ladies' watches to fully bespoke watches tailored to customer requests.

In 2013, they announced a variety of new models, led by the limited productionTourbillon& Monopusher Chronograph "Exo Tourbillon Chronograph." This year's standout creation is undoubtedly the "Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours," featuring an innovative day/night display where the color of the hour numerals changes between day and night.

MONTBLANC Venue


Also noteworthy are the classic full calendar models in a 1950s style from the Star Collection and the modern dual-time models from the "Time Walker Collection."

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Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours |
Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours


The color of the numerals at 12 o'clock clearly indicates day or night

The "Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours" features a rotating disc at the 12 o'clock position that indicates the hour in a 12-hour format, with an underlying day/night disc divided into black and sky blue. A special cam causes the numerals to appear in black during the day and sky blue at night. Specifically, at 6 AM, the sky blue background of the disc gradually recedes to the left, revealing a black background on the right to signify the morning. At 6 PM, the black background gradually recedes to the left, revealing a sky blue background on the right to signify the evening. The single-pusher chronograph function with two counters, operated by a push-button at 8 o'clock, is the same as in other Nicolas Rieussec models.

Automatic winding, RG case, alligator strap, case diameter 43mm, equipped with the newly developed in-house movement Caliber MB R220 featuring the patented Rising Hours mechanism, single-pusher chronograph function, date & day display, see-through case back, 30m water resistance. Estimated price ¥3,360,000, scheduled for release in October. An SS case model is also available (estimated price ¥1,347,150).








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Star Chronograph UTC Automatic |
Star Chronograph UTC Automatic


A classic chronograph with a second time zone function

The "Star Chronograph UTC Automatic" is a classic chronograph with a second time zone (dual time) display function, newly added to the Star Collection, which can be considered the watch equivalent of Montblanc's iconic and timeless "Meisterstück" pen collection. A red-tipped hand completes a full rotation of the dial in 24 hours, indicating the hour in the second time zone. Its classic details, such as the guilloché dial with Roman numeral indices and the onion-shaped crown, similar to the "Quantième Complet" below, add further brilliance to a dressed-up wrist. It can also be enjoyed as a "contrasting" accessory, much like pairing an antique watch with a casual outfit.

Automatic winding, SS case, alligator strap, case diameter 42mm, second time zone display, small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, date display, see-through case back, 30m water resistance. Estimated price ¥479,850. Scheduled for release in May.








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TimeWalker Voyager UTC |
TimeWalker Voyager UTC


A sporty and modern dual-time model

This sporty dual-time model joins the Time Walker Collection, which pursues new styles of watches unbound by tradition. The chic anthracite dial, the matching titanium bezel set around the SS case, the modern Arabic numerals, the skeletonized 24-hour hand for the second time zone with orange markings at the tip, and the embossed calfskin strap with orange stitching all harmonize beautifully, creating a chic and fresh impression reminiscent of contemporary architecture.

Automatic winding, SS case, embossed calfskin strap, case diameter 42mm, second time zone and date display, see-through case back. Estimated price ¥387,450. Scheduled for release in September. An SS bracelet model is also available (estimated price ¥399,000).








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TimeWalker Voyager UTC |
TimeWalker Voyager UTC


A sporty and modern dual-time model

This sporty dual-time model joins the Time Walker Collection, which pursues new styles of watches unbound by tradition. The chic anthracite dial, the matching titanium bezel set around the SS case, the modern Arabic numerals, the skeletonized 24-hour hand for the second time zone with orange markings at the tip, and the embossed calfskin strap with orange stitching all harmonize beautifully, creating a chic and fresh impression reminiscent of contemporary architecture.

Automatic winding, SS case, embossed calfskin strap, case diameter 42mm, second time zone and date display, see-through case back. Estimated price ¥387,450. Scheduled for release in September. An SS bracelet model is also available (estimated price ¥399,000).








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Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Automatic |
Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco Automatic


A refreshing and glamorous automatic watch for the active lady

This automatic model is a new addition to the "Princesse Grace de Monaco" collection, named after the late Grace Kelly, an eternal icon for women, Hollywood star, and Princess of Monaco. The watch exudes glamour and elegance. The white mother-of-pearl dial with diamond indices, the white alligator strap, the red gold-finished hands and numerals at 12 o'clock, and the pear-shaped pink sapphire at 6 o'clock create a refreshing and feminine atmosphere. In addition to this jewelry-type model with a red gold case set with patented Montblanc Diamonds, an SS case model perfect for everyday wear is also available.

Automatic winding, RG case, bezel set with 126 diamonds (approx. 0.618 carats total), mother-of-pearl dial with 9 diamonds (approx. 0.054 carats total) and 1 pink sapphire (approx. 0.02 carats) as hour markers, alligator strap, date display, see-through case back, 3 ATM water resistance. Estimated price ¥1,615,950. The SS case version is ¥362,250 (estimated price). Both are scheduled for release in October.



Montblanc Ginza Main Store
Tel. 03-5568-8881
http://www.montblanc.com/
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