Montblanc has unveiled the "Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18," a rare timepiece featuring the Maison's first-ever use of a special 18K gold alloy, lime gold. This exclusive edition is limited to just 18 pieces, crafted for connoisseurs who appreciate distinctive vintage timepieces.

The "Montblanc 1858" collection draws inspiration from the Minerva chronographs developed and manufactured for military use in the 1920s and 1930s, reimagined as tool watches for mountain exploration. For 2021, the collection welcomes the "Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18," a limited release of just 18 pieces.

This model is a contemporary reinterpretation of a historic Minerva military chronograph from the 1930s, powered by the original Caliber 19-09CH. Its defining feature is the harmonious interplay of gold and green. The innovative 18K lime gold case is paired with a gold-colored dial, accented by contrasting green elements and a vintage green nubuck calfskin strap, creating a cohesive aesthetic.

Named lime gold for its deep golden hue that subtly shifts to a pale yellowish-green, this alloy marks the Maison's first venture into such a material. Lime gold is a special alloy composed of 18K gold (750 per mil), silver (238 per mil), and iron (12 per mil), offering a unique color palette befitting vintage aesthetics.

The case's color is complemented by a sunray-finished gold-toned dial, enhancing the vintage appeal. The dial features contrasting green elements, including cathedral-shaped luminescent hour and minute hands, a minutery scale, a central split-seconds hand, and tachymeter and telemeter scales, all set against the historic Montblanc symbol at 12 o'clock, ensuring excellent legibility.

The Arabic numerals are fully coated in Super-LumiNova®, encapsulated through a patented process to create a "monobloc" shape without outlines. This three-dimensional effect allows for instant time reading, day or night. The gold-toned chronograph seconds hand and the counters for the 30-minute totalizer and small seconds add a sophisticated touch.

Echoing its historical counterparts, the watch features a telemeter scale on the outer edge of the indexes—a signature of legendary Minerva chronographs that adds both functionality and a vintage flair. The telemeter allows for measuring the distance of visible phenomena, such as lightning strikes during a storm. Additionally, a snail-shaped tachymeter scale (base 1000) is centered on the dial, capable of measuring durations up to three minutes, unlike traditional chronographs that measure up to one. The tachymeter is used to calculate the speed of moving objects, like vehicles, over a known distance.

The sapphire crystal is treated with an anti-magnetic coating on the underside. The case back reveals the Manufacture Monopusher Chronograph Caliber MB M16.31, inspired by the original Minerva Caliber 19-09CH from 1909 and its evolution, the Caliber 17-29, developed in the 1930s for both pocket and wristwatches. This caliber is distinguished by its exquisite finishing, including Côtes de Genève, anglage, circular graining, and beveling, all executed by hand at the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret.

For this limited edition, the plates and bridges are crafted from German silver, plated in 18K gold to harmonize with the case and dial colors. The caliber features two column wheels for the chronograph and split complication, a horizontal coupling, and a power reserve of 50 hours. Consistent with its predecessors, it incorporates the V-shaped chronograph bridge patented in 1912 and a large balance wheel with 18 screws, beating at a traditional frequency of 2.5 Hz / 18,000 A/h.

The strap is made of vintage green nubuck alligator leather, accented with beige stitching to enhance its vintage aesthetic. It is fitted with a lime gold buckle, completing the watch's perfectly vintage look.