Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec for Only Watch 2013
I’ve just returned from Switzerland, where I visited both Montblanc watch manufactures together with the winner of the sweepstake that we did recently (see here). Soon you can read all about our three-day trip to Montblanc’s manufactures in Le Locle and in Villeret, but today I’d like to share some exclusive photos of Montblanc’s watch for the Only Watch auction. While we were there, they pulled it out the 500 hour test for a brief moment, so we could see it and of course take some photos to share with you.
Montblanc’s entry for the Only Watch auction is a unique black DLC version of the Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours, which was introduced earlier this year, with a rose gold crown, pushers and screws in de case back. The Rotating hour disk now also comes in gold and the model name, minute markers and several other details are printed in brown/gold. The bridge that holds the minute and seconds hand (the disks rotate) is gold plated and so are the two attached hands. The central minute hand is executed in red gold.
The typical dial layout of the Nicolas Rieussec Rising Hours (see here for a hands-on review) shows a center minute hand and the hours are indicated by a rotating disk (gold) with cut out hour numerals. Placed below the hour disk is a black/blue disk that rotates as well and shows either of these colors through the numeral apertures. The color that is visible depends on the time of day, blue is visible from 6pm to 6 am and black is visible during day time.
Indicated through an aperture on the right side of the dial is that date, on the left side is a day of the week. The two disks that are held in place by the gold bridge, are the chronograph’s seconds and minute counters. Montblanc is incredibly strong in design details and that become apparent when we take a closer look. The two chronograph counters (disks) feature printed numerals in white, while everything related to indicating the time is in gold/brown and in a different font. The two blued screws that hold the gold plated bridge in place are balanced by the blue triangle at the 12 o’clock position.
The stainless steel case – bezel, mid case with lugs and case back – had a dual carbon treatment. This ensemble works incredibly well and somehow the gold parts (especially the crown and pushers) soften the black of the DLC coating from black to anthracite to extremely dark chocolate brown, all depending on the light. After we got to spent some time with this unique version of the Nicolas Rieussec, it went back to the 500 hour test, something that all Montblanc timepieces with in-house movement go through.
At the Only Watch website you can read more about the auction and how you can place a bid on September 28. If you like more detailed information about the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec, please visit the Montblanc website. Here is the official press photo.
