Named after the highest peak in the Alps, Montblanc became a registered trademark in 1910 and shortly after found themselves leading in the design of luxury fountain pens. Shortly later, they transferred the technical innovation and artistic mastery from stationary to the world of watches, establishing their own Manufacture in the heart of the Swiss watch industry in Le Locle. It is here where Montblanc’s 2021 watch releases are crafted alongside some of their own impressive in-house movements.
It is easy to see why so many watch collectors, old and new, are always on the lookout for the latest Montblanc watches, and those in search of their latest Watches & Wonders releases need look no further. All of the Montblanc 2021 watch releases discussed today are available to order and pre-order on the Jura Watches website here. If you have any questions about the new arrivals revealed below and the free delivery and interest free finance available, feel free to contact the team 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition
Starting off the Montblanc 2021 Watch Releases line-up is the 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition. Following in the footsteps of previous 1858 Geosphere watches, the piece delivers two unique hemisphere globes at 12 and 6 o’clock. The anti-clockwise turning globe at 12 o’clock denotes the northern hemisphere and the clockwise turning globe at 6 o’clock indicates the southern hemisphere. Both come with day and night indication and 24 hour markings and are powered by the in-house Calibre MB 29.25 with a power reserve of 42 hours, 26 rubies and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
What differs the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert watch from its predecessors however is its unique bronze and brown aesthetic inspired by the Gobi Desert, Asia’s largest desert. It’s bronze 42mm case, curved lugs and shiny brown ceramic bezel were designed in collaboration with Reinhold Messner who was the first to trek solo across the Gobi Desert back in 2004. The bezel is engraved with cardinal points coated in Superluminova, topped by sapphire crystal glass and promises a water resistant rating of 100 metres. Moreover, the case back is a sight to behold and reveals a coloured engraving of Gobi Desert’s famous Flaming Cliffs and the image of a wind rose compass whose patterns are inspired by traditional Mongolian ornaments. The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert is a limited edition of 100 pieces and completed by avintage-style brown Sfumato calfskin leather strap.
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition
Another bronze masterpiece, the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition brings back to life one of the Minerva watches developed for the military back in the 1930’s. Measuring to 46mm in diameter, the historic Monopusher chronograph required a large case in order to integrate its unique movement which had been originally designed for a pocket watch – the calibre 19-09CH. Beautifully tributing its ancestor, the new 100-piece limited edition boasts the very same 46mm profile engineered from a special bronze alloy with fine-brushed and polishing finishing. The case is secured by a matching brown Sfumato alligator strap.
The history of the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Origins Limited Edition watch is the focal point of design, as seen on the black dial with beige elements decorated with the Minerva emblem at 6 o’clock and on the bridges of the MB M16.29 movement seen through the case back engraved with Minerva in gold. The case back is designed like a classic officer’s watch which at first meeting delivers a unique engraving of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and then lifts up to reveal the manual winding movement inside. The MB M16.29 calibre opts for central hands for hours and minutes, a central chronograph seconds hand, small seconds counter at 9 o‘clock and 30 minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and promises a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition
Another limited edition inspired by the 46mm Minerva military chronographs, the Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph watch delivers a unique vintage-inspired aesthetic at a more opulent price point. It’s solid 18 carat gold case has been named “Lime Gold” as it veers closer towards pale yellowy green in colour for a unique, aged finish. The dial is also decorated in the same shade of gold and adorned with lumed green Arabic numerals and green-coloured hands. The green against gold combo is a sight to behold and cannot go unmissed while the green Arabic numerals are cleverly engineered so that the entire design is made of Superluminova, meaning there is no outline.
Also on the dial is a melange of data including a telemetric scale allowing you to measure the distance of an event that it both visible and audible – like lightning and thunder. There is also a snail-shaped tachymeter scale for measuring events up to 30 minutes and of course, the split seconds chronograph. Also known the Rattrapante, the split seconds chronograph complication is one of the industry’s most difficult complications to manufacture allowing you to time two different events that begin at the same time but do not end together. The function is powered by the Montblanc calibre MB M16.31 with a 50 hour power reserve and is kept housed within a 44mm wide case.
Montblanc Heritage Pytagore Small Second Limited Edition
Next up in Montblanc’s 2021 watch releases is the Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition. It takes inspiration from one of the original Minerva calibres, the calibre 48, which was designed by Andrey Frey, the original owner and watch engineer of the Manufacture in 1948. His idea was to position the bridges using mathematical properties defined by the golden ratio principle, a discovery attributed to Pythagoras, hence the watch’s name. The same geometrical shapes and straight lines of the original movement, alongside the golden pentagon and point branch star, are ensured within the new manual-winding Manufacture Calibre MB M14.08 home within the Montblanc Heritage Pytagore Small Second watch.
Limited to 148 pieces each, there are two Montblanc Heritage Pytagore Small Second watches, both delivering central hands for hours and minutes and a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock on a choice of a blue dial or burnt caramel dial. Dressed in a lacquered finish, the dial is embellished by a grainé hour ring, applied Arabic numerals, Superluminova gold coated dots and dauphine-shaped hands. Both designs feature a case measuring to 39mm in diameter with a thickness of only 9.5mm. The blue dialled variant is engineered from stainless steel and paired with a blue leather strap while the caramel dial is crafted from luxurious 18 carat rose gold and secured brown leather.
Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition
Last up for Montblanc’s 2021 watch releases is the Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition. If there was ever a timepiece to demonstrate the mastery and artisanal talent of the Swiss watch manufacturer, it is this. Engineered following three years of development entirely in-house at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, the 18-piece limited edition features a patented Suspended Exo Tourbillon complication which sees the balance pushed to the next level -literally. It has been raised exactly 3.2mm off the dial as if it were suspended mid-air from the rest of the tourbillon cage. This is achieved by special tourbillon bridge with a single, bowed stainless steel arm that mirrors the domed hour circle at 12 o’clock.
While it is certainly the tourbillon complication that is worthy of most of the praise here, the rest of the design of the Montblanc Star Legacy Suspended Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition is just as wonderful. The dial is rendered is stunning blue aventurine and paired with a domed subsidiary dial for hours and minutes dressed in a crisp white concentric pattern and a blue seconds hand attached to the one-minute tourbillon for on-the-dot timekeeping. The case measures to 44.8mm in diameter, is crafted from 18 carat white gold and equipped with sapphire crystal glass on the front and back. The piece is secured to the wrist by a blue Sfumato alligator leather strap and a matching 18 carat white gold folding buckle.
