SIHH 2014: Introducing the Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Limited Editions

Montblanc’s Nicolas Rieussec collection can easily be called a classic by now. After 7 years it has become one of the most iconic Montblanc timepieces and I’m pretty sure that most people will immediately recognize the signature Montblanc style elements. This year Montblanc reveils the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec and it could well be the coolest of the lot.

The new Homage to Nicolas Rieussec actually surprises with a much ‘cleaner’ dial then ever before. And when you think you miss the, in my opinion GORGEOUS, ‘Breguet‘ numerals in the hour/minute sub dial, then be patient. When the light goes dim, a surprise awaits. Invisible during day time, but accentuating the hour/minute sub dial in a very cool way, are the ‘Breguet’ numerals in SuperLuminova and visible during the darker hours of day.

The traditionally styled hour-circle is crafted from a hybrid ceramic permeated with Superluminova pigments, which form the Arabic hour numerals in the characteristic font of the Montblanc Rieussec collection. The hour and minute hands are SuperLuminova-filled so together with the SuperLuminova numerals they make a great display at night.

Now the other remarkable feat of this new interpretation of the Rieussec, are the chronograph counters. On all previous models, the measurement of elapsed time happened with a 60-seconds and 30-minutes counter hands. On the new Homage to Rieussec the hands are fixed and disks underneath the fixed hands rotate. The fixed hands and the rotating disks are similar to Nicolas Rieussec’s first patented chronograph from 1821, which inspired the watchmakers at Montblanc to create the Nicolas Rieussec collection.

The new Homage to Nicolas Rieussec comes in stainless steel and in rose gold. The stainless steel version is limited to 565 pieces and the rose gold version is limited to 193 pieces. Both limitations seem low numbers for such a gorgeous timepiece, and that is actually my only negative comment about the newest Rieussec!

The number 193 pays homage to the man who invented this genre of watch – because 193 years ago was the birth of the first patented chronograph from Nicolas Rieussec. The rose gold version is priced at € 26,900 Euro, the stainless steel comes in at €8,990 Euro and I wouldn’t be surprised if they will go like hot cakes over the counter. Just so that you know, they will be available as of autumn of 2014.

Inside, and visible through a sapphire crystal pane in the case back, is the magnificent self-winding movement caliber MB R200. The design of the movement is particular nice, as by leaving the balance wheel visible, the gears of the chronograph counters are peaking underneath the large bridge that covers most of the movement.

Another detail that I truly appreciate, is the small aperture in that large bridge, to show the column wheel. And when the rotor aligns, the Montblanc logo is exactly above the column wheel. A column wheel is the most desirable way to actuated the start, stop and reset function of a chronograph. Moreover the connection between the gear-train and chronograph’s wheels is alternately engaged and disengaged by a vertical coupling, which functions nearly without wear and prevents the elapsed-time hands from jumping when the chronograph is switched on. And the cherry on the cake, is the simple fact that everything is operated by a single pusher, which makes this a mono poussoir (or single pusher chronograph in English), again a feat that can count on thumbs up from connoisseurs.

The double barrel of the Montblanc in-house movement stores enough power for 72 hours of continuous running. The bridges is finished with Côte de Genève striping, and features beveled and polished edges.

Some specifications:

• Movement: caliber MB R200, self-winding, double barrel delivering 72 hours of power reserve, mono-pusher chronograph with column-wheel and vertical coupling, 319 components, 40 jewels, large screw balance with a diameter of 9.7 mm, flat hairspring, 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
• Case: 18 karat rose gold (limited to 193 pieces) or stainless steel (limited to 565 pieces), 43 mm in diameter, 14.8 mm in height, mono pusher at the 8 o’clock position, cambered sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on both sides, screwed back with sapphire crystal pane
• Strap: black alligator leather strap with triply folding clasp made of 18 karat rose gold or stainless steel
• Price: € 8,990 Euro for the stainless steel version and € 26,900 for the Homage to Rieussec in rose gold

More info: www.montblanc.com