It is a known fact that many watch aficionados are also great admirers of fine writing instruments. Horobox editors picked the best of both worlds and brought to you by Emre Şişman’s exclusive photo shoot.
Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Complet Vasco da Gama Ref. 112539
Let’s start with the watch.. I have done several reviews about Montblanc’s recent novelties and always highlighted the great development of the brand along its un-matched price VS performance asset. Well, Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Complet Vasco da Gama is no exception..
The French phrase “Quantième Complet” means “Complete Calendar” which offers exclusive calendar information, but occasionally requires manual setting by its user. Unlike the common perpetual calendar or the annual calendar, the complete calendar mechanism does not automatically know the various day counts of the months. In fact, it sets 31 days for all twelve months making the date function need to be manually reset at midnight on the last day of any month with less than 31 days. Thankfully, Montblanc engineers designed a small setting tool in order to make this action easy enough for everyone. The tool we have here is actually not a very special one therefore if you do not need to worry if you haven’t got one at hand as an ordinary ballpoint pen will do the trick just fine.
The beautiful silvery white dial sports a sunburst pattern with the rhodium-plated facetted indexes and the numerals "3", "9" and "12" being applied to the dial. Two facetted, sword style hands indicate the hours and minutes. The date hand employs a small red detail at its tip to boost up the legibility of the function.
The case measures 40mm in diameter and 9,7mm in thickness making the watch a contemporary sized dress complication with optimum wearability.
Montblanc’s famous emblem is beautifully crafted at the top the crown which is a common detail of the entire collection.
The movement is the Caliber MB 29.16, which is based on a Sellita movement with a Dubois Dépraz module for the complete calendar function. The sapphire caseback is engraved with a depiction of Vasco da Gama’s ship, the São Gabriel, along with Vasco’s signature.
The black leather strap is made at the Montblanc Pelletteria, the brand’s own leather manufacture in Florence, Italy. The strap is accompanied with a double folding clasp.
Montblanc Heritage Collection “Rouge et Noir“ Ball Point
Now let’s get to the pen.. Montblanc is a legendary name among the list of luxury writing instruments manufacturers. I always admire their timeless designs and especially the trade mark Meisterstück Collection. I have three Montblanc Ball Point pens and –despite my awful handwriting- I simply love using them.
This stunning ball point pen belongs to the brand’s Heritage Collection. Named after the famous “Rouge et Noir “ model launched in 1906, this retro collection is designed to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the brand’s 110th anniversary. Reinterpreting the legendary writing instrument, it features a longer, slimmer silhouette and craftsmanship refined over generations, with coral precious resin in barrel and cap. Snake Clip in vintage look with matching fittings. The clip is made by a stamping and winding process in a special alloy metal, and is aged by a unique galvanic and stripping process.
Actually, the story of the serpent figure clip is interesting. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, pens were being designed and produced without a clip on the cap. However, there were “optional” clips for the users who require their pens to be carried in their pockets. Clips were sold separately and attached to the cap. Waterman was the first manufacturer to offer clips as an optional extra with its pens, in 1905. The serpent figure was an instant success for Montblanc back in the day with its distinguished look.
