SpotlightMontblanc Exhibits The Spirit Of Exploration At SIHH 2019
At this year's SIHH, the luxury maison Montblanc taps into the glorious history of Minerva to produce new reiterations and collections that will take one back in time
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Strengthening its foothold in the horological sphere, Montblanc—the storied brand with state-of-the-art manufactures situated in Villeret and Le Locle—now steps outdoors and evokes the beauty of nature by virtue of its new launches. With mountain exploration and reconnecting with nature as the central leitmotif at SIHH 2019, Montblanc digs its claws into providing the experience of the spirit of exploration.
Leaving no stone unturned, the brand’s booth at Palexpo in Genève was designed with natural wood, plants and rock, with a large backdrop displaying a mountain face, to offer a truly immersive experience and bring the visitors closer to nature. In fact, the timepieces are also displayed in wood and glass cases. The Montblanc booth was graced by a horde of celebrities and international models like David Gandy, Isabeli Fontana, Hugh Jackman, Lawrence Wong, designer Juan Avellaneda, Aldo Comas, Saul Nanni, Sveva Alviti, Numan Acar, Blanda Eggenschwiler among others.
Furthering its watchmaking journey that commenced in 1858, this year’s novelties include new collections, dubbed TimeWalker, Star Legacy, and Heritage, which are complemented by new 1858 timepieces that pay an ode to the brand’s erstwhile Minerva marque and exceptional horological mastery.
1858
The 161-year-old history of Minerva fine watchmaking serves as the perfect muse for the new Montblanc 1858 watches. Emblazoned in on-trend bronze cases, khaki green dials and colour-coordinated NATO straps, this new watch line clearly draws inspiration from the historical and traditional legacy of professional Minerva watches from the 1920s and 1930s that were conceived for military use and exploration. Two new 1858 automatic models, a chronograph, and an outstanding 1858 Geosphere—all limited editions available in 1,858 pieces—evoke a vintage vibe and are suited for adventurers and explorers.
The 1858 Geosphere is dedicated to the world’s Seven Summit mountaineering challenge—considered as the holy grail of mountaineering adventures. Featuring turning northern and southern hemisphere globes at 12 o’clock and six o’clock with a 24-hour scale and day-night indication, this timepiece demonstrates the brand’s artisanal know-how.
The 42mm full bronze case sporting a khaki green dial serves as an ideal backdrop for the bi-compax counters. The khaki green models feature polished and satin-finished bronze cases with slim bevelled horns.
Crafted from titanium, a bronze colour coating is also imparted in the caseback, with the symbolic Mont Blanc mountain, a compass and two crossed ice pick-axes’ engravings. Enunciating the brand’s historical associations, intricate details like old-school fluted crowns and domed, sapphire crystal glass boxes have been incorporated.
Heritage
Exuding a sense of aristocracy and suaveness, the new Montblanc Heritage collection comes with a promise of performance, owing to the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500 certification. Taking back to a foregone era, the new Heritage Perpetual Calendar, Monopusher Chronograph, Pulsograph Limited Edition, Automatic and GMT watches are reminiscent of the classic Minerva watches that were built in the 1940s and 1950s.
Effusing vintage aesthetics interspersed with a contemporary design credo and technology, Montblanc has cleverly incorporated subtle elements that lend the sophisticated elegance of watchmaking past. The new three, six and nine minute chronograph markers recall the use of old-school payphones.
The domed dials with two finishings and dainty dots as the indexes come in 1940-50’s inspired colours such as salmon, smoked-caramel and silvery white.
The fully polished cases, measuring from 39 to 42mm, feature curved horns with facets for an elegant historical look. Movement-wise too one attains an experience of the high-end Minerva calibres that have been integrated into this series.
Crafted with sartorial knowledge, these timepieces are enclosed with Sfumato straps from the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence, Italy. Setting a new language of inspired style and fashion, this new collection captures the spirit of the cosmopolitan man.
Star Legacy
There are four new Star Legacy models that take notes from the origins of classical watchmaking—Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph (one is a combination of a red gold and anthracite aesthetic, while the other one comes in stainless steel with an anthracite dial), Full Calendar 42mm, Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date 42mm.
The classic design elements such as round, pebble-shaped cases, onion-shaped crowns with the Montblanc emblem, and eye-catching dials featuring the iconic exploding star guilloché pattern are all part of these new editions.
Lending formal elegance, these Star Legacy timepieces are fresh reiterations on the historic Minerva style of fine watchmaking and character.
TimeWalker
Unfailingly seeking inspiration from Minerva instruments and famed precision timers, the TimeWalker novelties carry the theme of motor racing. There are two new TimeWalker chronographs—41mm and 43mm—that adorn reverse panda dials with contrasting black backgrounds and silvery-white counters and flanges.
Equipped with a practical tachymeter scale for timing speed that is indicated on the fixed ceramic bezel, these robust watches are brazen and adventurous.
