Crowning its knowledge and experience in writing instruments with a wide range covering many areas of luxury shopping, Montblanc redefines the concept of "a good Heritage watch" with its 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 model bearing traces from the past.
Montblanc may technically be a young watch brand, yet it has already taken its place among the rapidly rising brands of the watch industry with the influence of the extensive investments it has made recently and the legendary name Minerva. The brand, which fascinates watch enthusiasts with many successful models suitable for this trend today, where the Heritage trend continues unabated, reinforces its success with the new Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 model inspired by an experimental model produced in the 1930s.
Despite the never-ending popularity of the heritage trend and many brands that cannot remain indifferent to this popularity, it is not easy to make "a good Heritage watch”. Harmonizing classic designs with modern times and staying loyal to the original timepiece's DNA while doing these is not an easy-to-apply recipe. Montblanc is one of the successful brands that can overcome this situation. The most important reasons behind this success are the design team that does its job very well and, of course, Minerva.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 is one of the successful models that emerged after the brand acquired the legendary manufacturer, Minerva. The secret to the model's success is its modern/retro combination and the right inspiration.
When we look at the watches produced in the 1930s, we see that most of them are quite small by today's standards. This becomes even clearer considering that even the Tool Watches of the era barely reached 40mm case diameter. However, it is not the same for the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100. The inspired model comes in a huge size as it was produced with the idea of converting a pocket watch to a wristwatch for military use. Let's get to the model in question without further ado...
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition comes in a 46mm diameter and 14.5mm high case. Bronze, one of the most popular materials of recent times, has been preferred for the case, which does not hesitate to show its bold size with its matte surface form. This alloy, which offers a unique presence by the patina it takes according to its user's lifestyle, is a suitable choice for the perfect modern/retro combination, which I mentioned at the beginning of my article. Another feature of the case is the additional dust cover on the case back, as in "officer case" style pocket watches. This detail, which emphasizes the pocket watch connection, also reveals the brand's success in creating “a good Heritage watch”. Engraved on the inside of the case back is the inscription "Ré-édition du chronographe militaire Minerva des années 1930 doté d’un calibre fait main dans la pure tradition horlogère suisse." ("Re-edition of a Minerva military chronograph from the 1930s equipped with a hand-made caliber following the Swiss watchmaking tradition."). Another element, which highlights the attention to the details.
The new model hosts a black background dial. The dial, which offers a period-correct image with its Bi-Compax chronograph layout, features dark-tone Super-LumiNOVA filled large numeral indices and cathedral-style hands, which are in harmony with the overall retro style. The classic Montblanc logo is at 12 o’clock, while the Minerva logo, emphasizing the roots of the model, is located at 6 o’clock.
Among the details that distinguish Montblanc from other brands that produce Heritage models are the timepieces that are true to their original versions, not only visually but also technically. Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100, which is a good example in this regard, beats with the hand-wound Caliber MB M16.29. The 22-jewels movement, designed and produced in-house, operates at a frequency of 2Hz (18.000vph) and offers up to 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound. In addition to the hour, minute, and small seconds, the movement also features a mono-pusher chronograph feature, again period-correct. The caliber, which can be enjoyed with pleasure through the sapphire crystal display case back with its unprocessed German silver body and bridges, Côtes de Genève decorations, and classic horizontal clutch column-wheel coordinator, takes all its viewers on a journey back in time.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 comes on a brown alligator strap. The list price for the model, which is limited to 100 units, is EUR 30,000.
As I mentioned at the beginning of my article, many brands today produce models designed following the Heritage trend. The distinctive members of this hype, which seems to consist of reproducing old models at first glance, come from talented hands who see these watches as time machines, not as photographs, just like in this Montblanc.
