Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe for Only Watch 2011

Montblanc’s Vintage Pulsographe is one of the most beautiful new releases of this year. Classic, stylish and with a movement that is so beautiful it makes every watch collector’s heart beat faster.

There are not many watches with a movement of this beauty. Of course the Lange und Söhne Datograph and Double Split both have absolutely gorgeous movements, but the Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe has also one of the most beautiful chronograph movements in the world. For Only Watch 2011 Montblanc created this piece unique.

Above is the Vintage Pulsographe piece unique for Only Watch 2011. The case is made of 18 carat red gold, measures 39.5 mm in diameter and is 12.1 mm thick. The domed sapphire crystal protects the white ‘Grand Feu’ enamel dial with blue Arabic hour markers and wording. The red scale on the outside of the dial is reminiscent of so-called doctor’s watches from the 1930’s and is calibrated for 30 pulse beats.

The dial of the ‘regular’ Vintage Pulsographe is black with white Arabic numerals, but also features the red pulsation scale. The Vintage Pulsographe is from the Collection Villeret 1858, the former Minerva Manufacture. At the 2 o’clock position is the chronograph pusher, also executed in red gold, that starts, stops and resets the chronograph. A chronograph that can be operated with only one button is called mono-poussoir or single button chronograph.

Through the transparent pane of sapphire crystal in the screwed back, the gorgeous movement can be seen. Though its diameter is merely 29.5 mm (13 lines), chronograph calibre MB 13.21 boasts all the attributes of classical chronograph mechanisms and traditional manufacture craftsmanship, e.g. column-wheel control and horizontal wheel coupling.

The mono-poussoir activates a control mechanism consisting of exquisitely hand-decorated components: all levers and springs are glossily polished on their planar surfaces and satin-finished on their sides; their edges are manually bevelled. Of course all functional surfaces in every movement are individually and manually adjusted to guarantee the smoothest and most reliable triggering in response to the monopusher’s commands.

An equally high-quality finish is also applied to all other components of the movement. Plates and bridges are made of rhodium-plated nickel silver; the bridges are embellished with manually polished bevels and classical ‘Côte de Genève’. The pale silver grey of the movement’s chassis contrasts beautifully with the red jewels and the large massy balance, which has adjustment screws along its rim. The balance oscillates with 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations per hour.

The Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe for Only Watch 2011 will be auctioned on September 22nd 2011 during the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show in Monaco. All proceeds of the auction will go to the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophies.

From August 30th to September 17th, prior to the Only Watch auction, all ‘Only Watch’ timepieces will go on tour to Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai, Bejing, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Milan and Geneva. This way collectors and watch enthusiasts will get the opportunity to view all the timepieces. For more information check out the Only Watch website.

And if you’re not the lucky person with the highest bid… the normal Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe is available at Montblanc Boutiques and other retailers. Check out the Monblanc website.