Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Limited Editions

When it comes to complicated watch movements, the chronograph is without a doubt one of the most mesmerizing with all its intricately linked components that come into play to display elapsed time. And when that movement is based on the historic Minerva MB 16.29 monopusher chronograph calibre, the magic is off the charts! 

Reversing the Calibre

But there is more to this story. The new Montblanc Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Limited Editions not only feature this iconic hand-wound MB 16.29 movement with all its meticulous hand-finishing, but the movement has been flipped over to display all the incredible mechanical action on the dial side of the watch. At first glance, the viewer may think it is a skeletonized movement, but a closer look reveals that this historic chronograph movement is on full display, in all its glory, on the dial side of the watch. 

In 165 years of Minerva history, this has never been done before. It is surprising when you think of how many watch lovers remove their chronographs to admire the movement through the case back. Well, now they don’t have to!

Turning a movement over sounds simple, but it is a technical feat as the direction of the hands also has to be reversed. The MB 16.29 calibre was one of the only movements in Montblanc’s stable of chronographs where this could be achieved and reversing the time required the addition of 21 components, making this more than an aesthetic feature, but a truly technical one too.  

And just for fun, the Maison has turned the last digit of the reference number upside down to represent this change, so MB 16.29 becomes MB 16.26. 

When the Movement Becomes the Dial

Looking through the sapphire crystal into the depths of the movement, the viewer can immediately perceive the incredible level of finishing on the sanded German silver movement. A keen eye will detect the Maison’s special snailed diamantage coquille motif and polishing, which includes the inner angles of the components, a feat in itself.

Signature Minerva Movement Design

In keeping with all Montblanc’s highly complicated movements, the iconic  Minerva arrow and the Maison’s “V”-shaped bridge are also on display. The Minerva arrow is a tribute to the Roman Goddess who is always depicted with her arrow-tipped staff in hand, and the unusual “V”-shaped bridge comes from the view of the mountains seen from the watchmakers’ window in Villeret, a sight that has been a constant since the founding of the workshop in 1858. 

No Distractions

Particular attention has been paid to the indications so that they don’t distract from the movement with an open-worked 30-minute chronograph counter, an open-worked small seconds display, and elegant hands and indexes that have been enhanced with Super-LumiNova® for enhanced legibility. 

Double Novelty

In addition to the upside-down chronograph movement, the Montblanc Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Limited Editions include a   fluted bezel inspired from a Minerva design that dates back to 1927. This strong design element frames the movement and further accentuates all the horological expertise that makes these timepieces so special.

Two Limited Editions

There are two limited editions of 18 and 58 pieces, in Lime Gold and stainless steel respectively. Both come in a case side of 43mm and are fitted with a fluted bezel, the sign of an exceptional Montblanc timepiece. 

The Lime Gold version displays green hands and numerals and comes on a green alligator leather strap with grey stitching that is in total harmony with this warm-coloured gold. The stainless-steel edition features a white gold fluted bezel, adding an extra level of finesse to the model, and comes with a blue alligator leather strap with blue stitching. Both models feature an engraved caseback with an image of the Villeret manufacture and the famous “V”-shaped mountains in the background. 

These Montblanc Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Limited Editions unveil the secret of watchmaking past in timepieces that are resolutely contemporary for today’s watch lovers.

About Minerva

Founded in 1858 in the Swiss Jura valley of Villeret, the Manufacture Minerva has been in continuous operation for almost 165 years. Specialising in chronographs and sports counters, Minerva’s precision has received numerous world distinctions over the years. What sets Minerva movements apart is that each movement is assembled from start to finish by the same watchmaker. There are also a number of important details that you will only find in a Minerva movement: an incredible level of finishing, with bridges and baseplates in  traditional German silver; a Minerva arrow that pays tribute to the Roman Goddess who is always depicted with her arrow-tipped staff in hand; an unusual “V”-shaped bridge inspired from the view of the mountains seen from the watchmakers’ window in Villeret; in-house hairsprings; and a special snail finishing.

Both Montblanc and Minerva are dedicated to pushing the limits of aesthetic and technical excellence. They are connected by fine craftsmanship, they are connected by mountains and valleys. They are connected by a quest for perfection. 

Technical specifications

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph LE18

Reference: 129622

Limited edition of 18 pieces

Case

• Material: 18K Lime Gold, Satinated and polished finishing
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Bezel: Lime Gold fixed fluted bezel, satinated and polished
• Crystal: Domed glass box with anti-reflective coating
• Crown: Fluted monopusher crown, Lime Gold with Montblanc emblem engraved, satinated and polished finishing
• Back: Plain Lime Gold caseback with Minerva Montblanc Manufacture engraved
• Water-resistant to 30 meters (3 bar)

Dial and hands

• Skeleton dial  
• Numerals Arabic indexes in green Super-LumiNova® with green emission
• Inscriptions of Minuterie-Montblanc-MB M16.26-Swiss Made
• Seconds counter and minute chronograph counter
• Hands White Super-LumiNova® with green emission on silvered brass cathedral hour and minute hands, green Arrow-shaped seconds hand
• Arrow-shaped brass Chronograph minute hand, Arrow-shaped brass small seconds hand

Movement

• Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.26
• New Manufacture hand-finished manually wound movement
• Monopusher Chronograph 
• Reversed movement with regulating organ, going train, bridges and plate visible through watch’s dial
• Diameter: 37.50 mm
• Thickness: 7.05 mm
• Number of parts: 273
• Number of jewels: 26
• Power Reserve Approx. 50 hours
• Balance: Balance with screws, diameter: 14.50mm
• Frequency: 18,000 vph (2,5Hz)
• Hairspring With Philips curve
• Plate Rhodium plated German Silver with circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges, Rhodium plated German Silver bridges with Geneva Stripes, circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges
• Going-train Gold-plated, circular grained, chamfered, diamond hubs on both sides

Functions/Indications

• Hour, minute and Chronograph’s elapsed-seconds hand from the dial’s center, 30-elapsed minute counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 ’clock

Strap and buckle

• Green Alligator strap with ecru stitching 
• Green lining alligator small scales with Lime Gold pin buckle

MSRP: EUR 50'000

Technical specifications

Montblanc 1858 The Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph LE58

Reference: 129613

Limited edition of 58 pieces

Case

• Material: Stainless steel, Satinated and polished finishing
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Bezel: White gold fixed fluted bezel, satinated and polished
• Crystal: Domed glass box with anti-reflective coating
• Crown: Fluted monopusher crown, stainless steel with Montblanc emblem engraved, satinated and polished finishing
• Back: Plain stainless steel caseback with Minerva Montblanc Manufacture engraved
• Water-resistant to 30 meters (3 bar)

Dial and hands

• Skeleton dial  
• Numerals: Arabic indexes in blue Super-LumiNova® with blue emission
• Inscriptions of Minuterie-Montblanc-MB M16.26-Swiss Made
• Hands: Seconds counter and minute chronograph counter
• White Super-LumiNova® with blue emission on silvered brass cathedral hour and minute hands, blue Arrow-shaped seconds hand
• Arrow-shaped brass Chronograph minute hand, Arrow-shaped brass small seconds han

Movement

• Montblanc Manufacture Calibre MB M16.26
• New Manufacture hand-finished manually wound movement
• Monopusher Chronograph 
• Reversed movement with regulating organ, going train, bridges and plate visible through watch’s dial
• Diameter: 37.50 mm
• Thickness: 7.05 mm
• Number of parts: 273
• Number of jewels: 26
• Power Reserve Approx. 50 hours
• Balance: Balance with screws, diameter: 14.50mm
• Frequency: 18,000 vph (2,5Hz)
• Hairspring With Philips curve
• Plate: Rhodium plated German Silver with circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges, Rhodium plated German Silver bridges with Geneva Stripes, circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges
• Going-train Gold-plated, circular grained, chamfered, diamond hubs on both sides

Functions/Indications

• Hour, minute and Chronograph’s elapsed-seconds hand from the dial’s center, 30-elapsed minute counter at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 ’clock

Strap and buckle

• Blue Alligator strap with blue stitching
• Blue lining alligator small scales with stainless steel pin buckle

MSRP: EUR 35'000

For more information, please visit montblanc.com