Today, Hodinkee announced, in partnership with Montblanc, a new vintage-style wristwatch in stainless steel, powered by one of Minerva’s famous hand-wound monopusher chronograph movements. Plus, buyers receive a three day trip to both the Montblanc and Villeret factories with purchase.
The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition for Hodinkee is presented in a 40 mm x 12.15 mm stainless steel case with a thin, fixed, sloped bezel and a box-type sapphire crystal.
“The story of this limited edition starts way back in 1858, when two brothers set up the H&C Robert company in Villeret to assemble pocket watches from components manufactured in the surrounding Jura Mountains. Less than half a century later, they began to create their own chronograph and stopwatch watches, eventually renaming the company Minerva in 1923. Over the next 20 years, Minerva would introduce a number of now-legendary monopusher chronograph calibers, including the incredible historical calib13-20. In 2006, Minerva was acquired by the Richemont Group and transformed into the research and development arm of Montblanc, with the focus of making interesting tourbillons, unusual complications, and top-tier chronograph movements that are synonymous with the name, Minerva,” according to Hodinkee.
This watch has a retro theme and accordingly the entire case is brushed and the dial is matte black with off-white printed indices, train track chapter ring with tachymeter, and for the two subdials. The steel hour and minute hands are pencil-shaped. The central chronograph seconds, minute counter, and small seconds have varnished white hands. All the lume has an off-white aged hue.
Underneath the dial is caliber MB M13.21 which is a made by Minerva, which is owned by Montblanc. The beautifully finished movement has a column-wheel and lateral clutch. The bridges are made of rhodium-plated German silver (as opposed to the more commonly used brass). The column-wheel lever has an arrow-shaped tail and every component is expertly finished. Edges are chamfered and polished, which is the sign that this is a hand-made high horology movement. Almost everything for the movement is manufactured in Villeret (with the exception of the jewels and some of the screws).
The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition for Hodinkee has a 55-hour power reserve, is water-resistant to 100 meters, and comes with both a brown Sfumato alligator strap and Hodinkee Bedford strap in olive green. The caseback is transparent and is laster engraved with “HODINKEE” and the limited edition “XX/25.” Limited to 25 pieces, available exclusively in the Hodinkee Shop and select Montblanc boutiques in US. Each purchase includes an invitation for a special three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Le Locle and Villeret, with members of the Hodinkee team. (Ref. 123749)
Retail is $30,000. Learn more at Hodinkee.
