Montblanc have always played on our human desire to lead new discoveries. Their 1858 collection in particular aims its sights on those longing for adventure; the 1858 Geosphere alone commemorates world travellers with two rotating globes, a 24 hour function and the world’s seven summits inscribed on the case back. In continuation of this legacy, the Swiss watch manufacturer has launched a trio of limited editions as part of their 2022 Watches & Wonders releases, and the highlight for vintage chronograph lovers is the limited edition Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow watch.
Since its original release, the Montblanc 1858 watch collection has commemorated the professional Minerva chronographs from the 1920’s and 30’s which in turn tribute an era when aviation and military watches were an essential piece of a pilot’s equipment. According to Montblanc, the Minerva manufacture was among the very first watchmakers to engineer a fluted bezel and an internal countdown rotating bezel in 1927. This was shortly followed by the first wristwatch chronograph with an external rotating bezel and reset function in 1939. Now, two of the watches which exhibited these technologies are the inspiration behind the new Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow Limited Edition.
Just a quick glance at the new Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow watch and its clear to see that all the key elements of an early pilot’s chronograph are there. The fluted bezel is undeniably vintage, this time finished in 18 carat white gold, and is designed especially for easy manipulation even while wearing thick pilots gloves. Working alongside the bidirectional fluted bezel, a large red arrow nods to the Roman Goddess Minerva, the goddess of craftsmanship, who carried a spear with an arrow at its tip. Together, these elements allow you to track elapsed time simply by aligning the red arrow with the seconds, minute or hour hand. Alternatively, you can set a countdown timer by rotating the bezel so that the arrow is positioned at a specific time in the future and using it in reference against the minute hand.
The dial of the limited edition Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow watch is typical to 1930’s pilots watches with a jet-black finish enhanced by luminous markings and hardware. In this case, the black dial features beige-coloured Superluminova hands and Arabic numerals glowing green in low lighting. The dial also presents a telemeter scale around its circumference as well as a tachymeter scale at the centre finished in an irrefutably retro colimaçon snail shape. There’s also a 30 minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock and a central chronograph seconds hand.
Powering these complications is arguably the highlight of the entire design, the in-house MB M13.21 manual winding calibre. For many, the Montblanc Minerva-tribute watches are highly collectible for their historical hand-wound chronograph movements finished to an extremely high standard, and for the Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow Limited Edition, that remains the case. Calibre MB M13.21 is built around the architecture of a historic 1920’s Minerva movement and features a Monopusher chronograph complication with column wheel mechanism and horizontal coupling. We’re promised a 60 hour power reserve, 2.5Hz frequency and 22 jewels, some of which can be admired through the large exhibition case back. Through the back, you can also see some of the signature decorations of an in-house Montblanc movement including the devil tail-shaped arm and mix of Côtes de Genève and horizontally brushed bridges.
To finish off the Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow watch, the 42mm brushed and polished stainless steel case is fitted with a black alligator leather strap with white stitch detailing and a matching stainless steel deployment buckle. There’s also domed box-shaped sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment on top, a typical knurled crown at 3 o’clock and a water resistant rating of 30 metres. The watch is also a limited edition of 88 pieces.
If you’d like to learn more about the Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow Limited Edition and shop the design for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow Limited Edition (129614)
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fluted bi-directional in 18ct white gold with internal red arrow
- Glass: Domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Movement: Calibre MB M13.21 manual winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, small seconds, 30 minute counter
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Jewels: 22
- Frequency: 18,800
- Dial: Black with Superluminova numerals and hands, telemeter and tachymeter scale
- Strap: Black alligator leather
- Buckle: Deployment
- RRP: TBC
- Limited Edition: 88 pieces
