This month, Montblanc debuted a special version of the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph that ties back to the first Rieussec Chronograph (a clock not a watch), created in 1821.
The Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Limited Edition dial is (1N pale gold-coated) gold-plated with a traditional guilloché grain d’orge (engine-turned engraving) decoration. The gold-plated, titanium domed rotating chronograph discs, have a circular satin-finished gold-plating and have black transferred chronograph scales, with the 60-second counter on the left, and the 30-minute counter on the right. In the center of the two discs, is a blued-double hand that allows the wearer to track elapsed times of up to 30-minutes, with 1-second precision. Not exactly a modern level of accuracy — although similar to the historical Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph system that used ink for time measurements — but more than enough for casual use.
A sauté guilloché decoration delineates the outer section of the dial from the main section, and features “Nicolas Rieussec” printed vertically in cursive on the left, and “Homage 200 ans” printed on the right. The date is displayed through a gold-plated window at 6 o’clock, secured by two blued screws. “The hour circle is white with vanish for additional refinement and reminding the enamel dial of the historical Rieussec chronographs,” according to Montblanc. Like the outer sections of the dial, the center is gold-plated as well, however, the surface has a sunburst pattern, not guilloché-work. Blued leaf-shaped hour and minute hands indicate the time on the primary dial located at 12, along with a white, leaf-shaped, second time zone GMT hour hand.
Montblanc’s automatic monopusher chronograph, caliber MB R200, can be viewed through the sapphire crystal case back. Equipped with a column-wheel and vertical disc clutch, and double barrels good for 72-hours of power reserve, the watch is automatically wound by a gold-plated oscillating weight with a guilloché grain d’or decoration and a special engraving with the famous date of the Champ-de-Mars Arrondissement de la Seine race done in Paris on September 1st, 1821.
For the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph Limited Edition, Montblanc used a large-sized 44.8 mm diameter stainless steel case — with the monopusher chronograph button on the left case flank — protected by a domed sapphire glass, and paired with a brown alligator leather strap
The retail price is $8,700.
Photo by Montblanc.
