Montblanc’s New Bronze 1858 Collection Watches
Vintage-inspired timepieces employing the metal for the first time in the brand’s history
Beyond the vintage aesthetics of Montblanc‘s new bronze 1858 Collection pieces, two related attributes shine: the visual warmth of the metal, both dressy and casual, and an understanding that with age these watches will acquire their own unique patina. Bronze has found success across a few watch brands of late, but Montblanc hit a sweet spot here with these three additions. The Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100, Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time and Montblanc 1858 Automatic timepiece straddle the past and present delivering an understated elegance. The brainchild of Davide Cerrato, the head of Montblanc’s watch division, each timepiece also carries the brand’s ever-advancing dedication to quality proprietary movements. It’s worth mentioning that Cerrato’s previous accolades include time at Panerai and Tudor, where he took part in the development of their Heritage Black Bay Bronze.
All three new watches reference design codes from a 1930s Minerva chronograph, Minerva being a manufacture acquired by Richemont Group and Montblanc in 2006. It’s most evident in the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100, however—the stand-out of the additions. Truly monochrome, with a champagne dial and red gold bridges on the back complementing the bronze case, the watch is a large 44mm monopusher chrono. There’s a calibre MB M16.29 within, inspired by the original caliber 17.29 for pocket watches. The more accessible 1858 Automatic Dual Time and 1858 Automatic feature satin stainless steel cases with bronze bezels and a sapphire crystal. When coupled with the cognac-colored aged-calf leather strap both become rather timeless.
The Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100 (limited to 100 pieces) will retail for $27,500 starting April 2017. The Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time will sell for $5,000 and the Montblanc 1858 Automatic for $3,475—both available in July 2017.
Images courtesy of Montblanc
