Montblanc has again taken a deep dive into the rich chronographic history of Minerva – which the brand’s parent, Richemont Group, acquired in 2006 – and resurfaced with a very cool split-second chronograph offering both state-of-the art time measurement technology and a new gold alloy called Lime Gold.

While the 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 vibes in a decidedly cool color scheme, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 comes in a bronze case oozing with the warm look and feel of this very old material. And I’m still not sure which of these watches I find more appealing.

Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18: introducing Lime Gold

The 1858 collection Montblanc introduced a couple of years ago breathes new life into the famous Minerva watches of the 1920s and 1930s. The collection features eye-catching details including large cathedral hands filled with beige Super-LumiNova, luminescent Arabic numerals, fine railroad-style minute tracks, the original Montblanc logo, and bold oignion-style crowns. These watches highlight the instrument-like style of this era at its best.

Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18

There are few competitors for Montblanc in this era because most brands focus their re-editions on later decades such as the 1950s and 1960s.

For 2021 Montblanc surprises with an entirely new gold alloy christened Lime Gold, and the new monopusher 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18 is the first timepiece clad with this alloy, a blend of 18-karat gold, silver, and iron. Lime Gold has a subtle, pale yellowish hue.

Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18

Thanks to a matching Lime Gold-colored dial with sunburst finish, the watch exudes a subtle monochrome, monomaterial aesthetic that is quite unique and very distinguishing.

Most elements on the dial – the luminescent cathedral hour and minute hands, the central split-second hand, the railway-minute track, the razor-sharply printed spiral tachymeter scale, the telemeter scale, and the historic logo – are executed in a contrasting and refreshing green hue. The green Arabic numerals are crafted in monobloc Super-LumiNova and look like tiny pieces of art.

Montblanc split-second chronograph Caliber MB M16.31

At the heart of this timepiece is a traditional manual monopusher chronograph movement, the MB M16.31. Inspired by original pocket watch Calibers 19-09CH (1909) and 17-29 (1930s), it features sophisticated elements of that era including two column wheels, horizontal coupling, a chronograph bridge in a “V” shape whose design originates in 1912, and a large screw balance wheel beating at the traditional frequency of 18,000 vph/2.5 Hz.

Back of the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18

These top-notch virtues come with superb material choices and manual finishes. The plates and bridges are crafted in German silver plated in 18-karat gold to match the case and dial. Looking through the sapphire crystal case back, one can admire the Geneva waves, painstakingly polished beveled angles, and filigree perlage.

For more information, please visit www.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/watches/collections/montblanc-1858.

Quick Facts Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18
Case: 44 x 14.2 mm, Lime Gold
Movement: hand-wound Caliber MB M16.31, 2.5 Hz / 18,800 vph frequency, 50-hour power reserve, twin column wheels, monopusher chronograph
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds; split-second chronograph, tachymeter and telemeter scales
Limitation: 18 pieces
Price: €49,500

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100: old-school chronograph charisma

In the past years, the distinctive vintage allure of the 1858 collection has been further enhanced by bronze, a metal that has become a staple for many watch brands and a competitor to stainless steel (and even gold) over the past years.

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100

Not surprisingly, the resilient alloy is a good choice for tough sports timepieces and tool watches. An important aspect of the material is also the individual look and feel as the case takes on an individual patina over time and creates its own personal vintage look.

And the new 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 has a very vintage look: it pays tribute to a military timepiece from the 1930s powered by the 19-ligne Caliber 19-09CH designed in 1909.

Back of the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100

This re-edition sports an impressive 46 mm bronze case with a rare officer’s case back. Opening the back reveals a view into the depths of the massive manufacture MB M16.29 hand-wound monospusher caliber. At a generous 38.4 mm in diameter, the pocket watch-format movement is a feast for the eyes.

Montblanc chronograph Caliber MB M16.29

Connoisseurs will enjoy observing the sophisticated mechanism at work, which consists of no less than 252 components including a column wheel, horizontal coupling, and V-shape bridge. Caliber MB M16.29 offers the same exquisite finishing quality with inner angles, circular graining, beveling, and German silver main plate and bridges.

Highlighting the authentic past of this historic gem, there is a French inscription on the inside of the cover which translates as “Re-edition of a Minerva military chronograph from the 1930s equipped with a handmade caliber following pure Swiss watchmaking tradition” (Ré-édition du chronographe militaire Minerva des années 1930 doté d’un calibre fait main dans la pure tradition horlogère Suisse).

The outside is graced by the head of the goddess Minerva.

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100

Although it is hard to look away from this magnificent panorama at the back, let’s turn our attention to the front of the watch. Despite the military theme, the black dial of the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100 – with chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock and subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock – exudes subtle, old-school chronograph elegance.

The Arabic numerals and cathedral-style hands are not too big and glow in a faux patina beige hue in the dark thanks to Super-LumiNova. Here too we find the original Montblanc logo along with that of Minerva, another nod to the origins of this extremely well-executed re-edition.

For more information, please visit www.montblanc.com/en-us/collection/watches/collections/montblanc-1858.

Quick Facts Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition 100
Case: 46 x 14.5 mm, bronze
Movement: hand-wound Caliber MB M16.29, 4 Hz/18,800 vph frequency, 50-hour power reserve, German silver main plate and bridges
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds; chronograph
Limitation: 100 pieces
Price: €30,000

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