The Happy Wanderer
Montblanc commemorates the 160-year-old heritage of the Minerva manufacture with the 1858 Collection that draws influences from watches from the Twenties and Thirties
inspired by the functional and robust watches Minerva made for explorers and soldiers during the 1920s and 1930s, Montblanc’s new quintet for its 1858 Collection doesn’t just appeal with retrochic elegance but also with useful complications. Featured extensively is the chronograph, for its utilitarian features and its significant role in the history of the manufacture.
These models are reworked with components that are immediately reminiscent of the original Minerva chronographs: Slimmer horns with polished, bevelled edges; fluted crowns; domed sapphire crystal glass boxes; cathedral-shaped hands with slightly domed cloisonné design, aged leather straps, and the original Montblanc logo.
An essential among entry pieces is 1858 Automatic, a 40 mm wristwatch with vintage sensibilities. Or, consider 1858 Automatic Chronograph, in bronze or stainless steel, which is kitted out with a Calibre MB 25.11. Both have case backs with engraved insignias embodying the spirit of mountain exploration.
Adventurous types will be especially pleased by 1858 Geosphere for its refreshing take on the world timer. On the dial are two domed globes, each depicting the northern and southern hemispheres and rotating in opposite directions. Surrounding each globe is a 24hour scale that also serves as a day and night indicator, while a luminescent white line brings attention to the longitude reference meridian for both hemispheres. Other features you can find here include a second time zone display, date, and marked locations of the seven highest mountains in every continent. Names of all the peaks have also been printed on the case back as homage to the Seven Summits Challenge, the world’s toughest mountaineering quest. A self-winding calibre MB 29.25 lies within this timekeeper, which comes in a stainless steel case or limited-edition bronze case. Each has three strap options: Brown sfumato calf leather Bund-style strap, cognac aged calfskin strap, and black NATO strap.
With 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100, Montblanc honours the historical chronograph calibre 13.20 that debuted in 1920 for use in a wristwatch. Most stunning among its features is the calibre MB M13.21 movement, which can be admired from the sapphire crystal case back. Composed of a large balance wheel beating languidly at the traditional frequency of 18,000 A/h; column wheel, and horizontal coupling, it also features the brand hallmarks of V-shaped chronograph bridge and Minerva arrow.
But the most covetable among them all has to be the 1858 Pocket Watch Limited Edition 100. It can be enjoyed in different ways: Table clock; navigating tool with its in-built compass; and pocket watch (or worn as a wristwatch). Its titanium exterior makes it lightweight despite its chunky 60mm dimension, while an expansive dial of Dumortierite stone, a natural mineral, guarantees excellent readability even under dim lighting. At the heart of this piece beats the calibre MB M16.24 that is inspired by the Minerva Monopusher chronograph calibre MB M16.29.