The Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph Open Date is the continuation of a success story in modern watchmaking. Since 1997, Montblanc has been making timepieces on its own manufacture at Montblanc Montre S.A. in Le Locle that not only follow the tradition of classical Swiss watchmaking but which, in recent years, have also provided regular surprises in the form of exclusive new models. A decisive step came in 2008, when Montblanc unveiled the first movement it had developed entirely in-house and joined an exclusive circle of watch manufacturers who produce their own calibres and have a high level of manual expertise. It was the birth of the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronographs, which were among the most significant new products from the industry in 2008 and are soon to be joined by the new Open Date version, which will be launched in December 2009.
Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph Open Date
The exclusive new chronograph is not only one of the most outstanding watches in the Montblanc collection but also holds a very special place in the ranks of timepieces from all the world’s manufacturers. The lucky individual who owns one can rest assured that, in terms of design and technology, his wristwatch is a genuine rarity. Even the way the stopwatch function records times is unusual and, unlike conventional chronographs, does not involve hands revolving round the main dial and counters on subdials. The dial features two small, calibrated discs from which the elapsed seconds and minutes can be read off with the help of fixed hands. This arrangement makes the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph Open Date a fitting tribute to the ingenious watchmaker by the name of Nicolas Rieussec who invented the chronograph almost two hundred years ago.
As a leading writing instruments brand, Montblanc has a natural affinity towards chronographs , as reflected in the many models with stopwatch functions in the collection. The patent awarded to Nicolas Rieussec in 1822 describes a timepiece with two rotating discs, on which elapsed times were marked using ink-filled, nib-like pointers. The principle was taken up by Montblanc in the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronographs, further developed and given a contemporary interpretation that immediately appealed to discerning watch collectors and genuine watch connoisseurs.
Now Montblanc has further developed the concept and is proud to present it in a new form as the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph Open Date, which lives up to its name by providing the owner with new insights into the inner workings of the watch.
Making the watch mechanism an open secret
The eye-catching counter bridge designed to accommodate the second and minute counters creates the illusion of a winning smile on the dial of the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph. In the new Open Date version, the face is even more revealing. The two counter discs, the date disc and parts of the dial have extensive cut-out areas through which we have a direct view of the individual wheels and the movement’s main plate decorated with Geneva stripes. Also visible – among other things – is the chronograph mechanism’s vertical disc clutch, which lies centrally between the three rotating discs for the seconds, minutes and date.
The new Montblanc MB R 100 calibre is based on the MB R 100 and is a hand-wound movement with a standard time display, a rotating date disc and a chronograph with classical column wheel control featuring an innovative disc clutch. It is operated using a monopusher in the side of the case at 8 o’clock. This arrangement is very practical because it ensures that the button is not pushed unintentionally and can be operated with the thumb of the right hand.
Standard time is shown on an off-centre calibrated ring with Arabic numerals. This frames a cutout in the dial in which the skeletonized date disc rotates. The current date is shown by a fixed red triangle at 12 o’clock, which points to the date disc. Another very practical features is quick adjustment of the hour and date when travelling through different time zones. This can be carried out regardless of the position of the minute hand in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. The movement has two barrels, which generate a 72-hour power
The remaining power reserve is shown on a display at the back of the movement, which can be seen through the sapphire glass cover.
The art of casemaking
The case, made of 18 K red gold (5N), is an example of fine watchmaking at its best. It is manufactured using the traditional cold-forging technique, where a small, solid gold blank is gradually squeezed into the desired case shape under several tons of pressure. The case is crowned by a convex sapphire glass with antireflective coating on both sides, while a screw-in, see-through, sapphire glass back provides a view of the aesthetically designed and magnificently decorated movement, together with the power reserve display. The watch is manually wound using the chunky, knurled crown, which is decorated with an inlaid Montblanc emblem made of genuine mother-of-pearl. This superb timepiece has a brown alligator leather strap with a double clasp in red gold.
Apart from the red gold model described above, the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph Open Date is also available in stainless steel and in a 950 platinum edition limited to 25 watches.
The Montblanc Star 4810 is a clear design statement in the Montblanc watch collection. This is a line in which form and function are reduced to essentials, and in 2009 it will be joined by another watch that lives up to the adage “ less is more ”: the Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic. It offers convincing proof that mere reduction can often fulfil the most exacting formal and functional demands.
With its imposing 44-mm case and slim bezel, it has ample room for a spacious dial on which the various additional functions and displays can be neatly arranged. The two large subdials for the 30-minute and 12-hour counters, together with the large date window at 6 o’clock, highlight the vertical axis, which runs on seamlessly into the wristband. By contrast, the small seconds hand at 9 o’clock with its delicate ten-second indices is the soul of discretion. Rotating above all this is the chronograph hand with its red point and perforated Montblanc emblem as a counterweight, together with the sword-shaped hour and minute hands. The latter is coated with Superluminova, which combines with the minute scale to provide good legibility.
An attractive counterpoint to the simple functionality of the Montblanc Star 4810 Chronographs can be found in the embossed and polished Roman numerals and the guilloched decoration on the black dial. Guilloche work is an engraving technique carried out by machine and numbers among the most traditional of the decorations used in watchmaking. It creates regular lines, which either run parallel to or intersect each other and, depending on the angle from which they are observed, reflect the light in different ways, appearing almost to come alive. In the Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic, they reveal the complete Montblanc emblem at 6 o’clock and formal elements of the emblem on the remaining surface of the dial.
Swiss quality timekeeping
The Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic has a mechanical movement that is built into the actual going train and not simply “ bolted on ” as a separate module. It is the traditional design favoured by genuine connoisseurs of classical watchmaking mechanics. The automatic Montblanc 4810/501-calibre movement has an approximately 46-hour power reserve and is well protected in a sturdy stainless steel case with a sapphire glass back that provides a clear view of the individual technical details in the finely decorated movement. The chronographs functions are activated conventionally using the two large pushbuttons on the side of the case. The steel crown can be used to set the time and date and, if necessary, to wind the movement manually. The new Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic is supplied with a black alligator leather strap featuring a triple folding clasp.
Alternative versions include another steel model with a pale dial and brown alligator leather strap, as well as a steel model with a black dial and a snug-fi tting steel-link bracelet. The Montblanc Star 4810 Chronograph Automatic is also available in two red gold versions with anthracite-coloured guilloched dial and a black alligator leather strap or with a silver-coloured guilloched dial with a brown alligator leather strap, each fitted with an 18 K red gold pin buckle. Both red gold models are supplied with a certificate issued by the C.O.S.C. (Swiss official chronometer testing centre).
The watches in the Montblanc Sport Collection are an unmistakable blend of dynamism and masculinity. This is particularly clear from the new Montblanc Sport chronographs, with its tough stainless steel case and black DLC coating. DLC stands for “ Diamond Like Carbon ” and is used for scores of technical applications requiring high resistance to mechanical stresses and corrosion. This is the reason why these ultra hard carbon coatings are often found in large-scale industrial plant as well as in motor sport, where parts subject to extremes of mechanical and thermal stress, such as valves, piston pins and camshafts, are DLC coated. The ruggedness and special nature of the material used are what makes this chronograph so unique.
Tough, black and totally uncompromising
The entirely black case, black bezel, black dial and black alligator leather strap give the Montblanc Sport Chronograph Automatic a completely new look that makes it look even tougher and more uncompromising than the Montblanc Sport Collection already is. Set against such a deep black background, the bright lettering and edges to the counters, the luminescent numerals and indices, together with the gleaming silver-coloured pushbuttons and winding crown, stand out as striking highlights. Apart from this, the new chronograph – like all Montblanc Sport Chronograph models – has a conspicuous magnifying glass over the date window at 3 o’clock. While the minute and hour counters at 12 and 6 o’clock are designed to catch the eye, the small second at 9 o’clock is the soul of discretion. This emphasises the watch’s vertical axis, which is made to appear even longer by the deep black alligator leather strap with its triple folding clasp.
As reliable as the man who wears it
The new Montblanc Sport Chronograph Automatic possesses a unidirectional rotating bezel with a highly visible luminous dot at the zero position and a minute scale in negative relief. The convex sapphire glass is scratch-resistant and has an antireflective coating on both sides, guaranteeing good legibility even under water. As a genuine sports watch, it is water-resistant to 20 bar. In addition, the protrusions on the side of the case efficiently protect the crown against knocks and impacts.
The new Montblanc Sport Chronograph Automatic is driven by a mechanical movement with an integrated chronograph function that is among the most reliable calibres available on the market today. The automatic winding system has a heavy metal rotor that quickly builds up and stores energy, and, when the watch is worn regularly, guarantees a power reserve of 48 hours. And that, of course, is no problem for active professionals and sportsmen.
