For a large part, the story behind the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition for HODINKEE, is all about the romantic past of the Minerva manufacture in Villeret. But what makes the whole deal a lot more interesting is the fact that, should you buy this watch, you end up going on a trip to Villeret with the HODINKEE Team.
Collaborating with Montblanc, HODINKEE is out with the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition, which is a tribute to the renowned Minerva chronographs of the 1920s and 1930s. Taking inspiration from professional sport chronographs, the watch under the scanner today, boasts of a stainless steel case – a much-in-demand material for sports watches – a highly legible black dial and a hand-made monopusher chronograph movement.
A Look at the Modern Classic
Chronograph and stopwatch movement makers Minerva have the legacy of the H&C Robert company behind them. From humble beginnings in 1858, when two brothers set up the company, to surviving the industry crisis and later being acquired by the Richemont Group, the expertise in crafting chronograph calibers, including the amazing caliber 13-20, continues.
For more than a decade, Minerva is dedicated to making tourbillons, unusual complications, and top-notch chronograph movements. For the Montblanc x HODINKEE 1858 Monopusher Chronograph, Minerva has gone back to its roots and taken inspiration form the military and sporting pieces that it worked on during the 1920s and 30s.
Watch and Travel
The Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition for HODINKEE features a 40mm stainless steel case. The bezel is sloped and slim and hosts a box-shaped sapphire crystal to enhance the dial. The tachymeter track encompasses the black dial around the outer edge and large Arabic numerals make it easy for you to read the hours. The numerals and pencil-style hands are coated with rich crème color lume, giving it that jaded radium effect.
On the dial you will notice two sub-registers – the running seconds and a 30-second totalizer for the chronograph – and they are designed recessed with matte finish. Under the hood is the Montblanc caliber MB M13.21 – a direct descendent of the Minerva caliber 13.20 (classic hand-wound chronograph movement from 1920-1930). The watch is teamed with a brown alligator strap and a HODINKEE Bedford Strap in Olive Green. Details include 55-hour power reserve and water-resistance to 100 meters.
Limited to only 25 watches, you can expect to spend $30,000 on it and also hitch an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Villeret and Le Locle trip to visit Montblanc with HODINKEE.