#montblanc #minerva #watchesandwonders @montblanc
The new MONTBLANC UNVEILED TIMEKEEPER MINERVA takes the fluted bezel from the 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow and turns it into a chronograph function, marking the first time in Montblanc’s watchmaking repertoire it has been possible to activate a chronograph without having to push on something. The chronograph function is operated through the unidirectional rotating bezel (turning clockwise), avoiding any mishandling. One click will start the chronograph, the second will stop it, and the third will reset it. The bezel has 30 jumps/steps per whole turn, meaning that it can time 10 separate events in one complete turn. Montblanc is one of the rare watchmaking company to have developed such a system and has filed several patent applications for it.
The Montblanc Unveiled Timekeeper is being debuted with two limited editions. The first comes in a stainless steel case with an 18K white gold bezel, blue dial, and red accents. This model is limited to 100 pieces in reference to the 100-year anniversary of the Calibre 13.20. The second limited edition is housed in a Lime Gold case, features a dark green dial, and comes in a more exclusive limited edition.
Both timepieces come in a 42mm size with a dial design that is inspired by Minerva chronographs from between the 1940s and 1960s with their sunray finishing; luminescent hands, numerals, and indexes; elegant sub-dials; tachymetre scales (with a base of 1000m, 400m, and 200m); and colored accents for easy reading. Each model is fitted with a matching-colored interchangeable alligator leather strap.
Calibre MB M13.21
The Calibre MB M13.21 is the latest version of the historical Calibre 13.20 movement that celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The Calibre MB M13.21 is a hand-finished, manually wound movement with a 60-hour power reserve. The chronograph seconds are indicated with a contrasting colored chronograph seconds hand with the Minerva arrow as the counterweight, while a 30-minute chronograph counter is positioned at three o’clock, and a small seconds’ indication balances the dial at nine o’clock.
A case back that Pays Tribute to the Minerva Legacy
The Montblanc Unveiled Timekeeper Minerva is completed with a caseback that tells the complete story of Minerva, starting with the name of the collection and the date of birth of the Minerva Manufacture at six o’clock. On an inner ring, key dates from the Minerva chronograph story are separated by little stars from the original Minerva logo, with the Minerva arrow at 12 o’clock.
These key dates include:
1887 - Minerva brand and arrow symbol registered on July 30th, 1887.
1908 - Development of the first Manufacture chronograph movement (19/9CH) for pocket watches.
1912 - The Minerva V-shaped chronograph bridge is patented on April 10th.
1920 - Development of the Manufacture chronograph Calibre 13.20 for wristwatches.
1927 - Production of Minerva’s first fluted bezel and internal countdown rotating bezel.
1929 - Development of the Manufacture chronograph Calibre 17.29 (evolution of the Calibre 19/9CH)
1948 - Development of the Pythagore Manufacture Calibre 48 using the Golden Section ( = 1.618...).
2003 - Development of the Manufacture chronograph Calibres MB M13.21 and MB M16.29, respectively, inspired by the historical Calibres 13.20 and 17.29.
2023 - Launch of the chronograph function through the bezel.
Through the caseback, 165 years of watchmaking novelties are documented, right up to the present day with the introduction of Montblanc Unveiled Timekeeper Minerva Limited Editions. Their classic and elegant aesthetic holds within it one of the most fascinating chronograph novelties of watchmaking’s modern era, showing that the Montblanc chronograph story is only getting started.
#wherethewatchesarethestars
8 май 2023
