After presenting at Watches and Wonders the new collection “The 8000” which I told you about in a dedicated article, Montblanc also unveiled a new version of its Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph.
With this new version, the maison wanted to give its single-pusher chronograph a more contemporary look.
A new material
After making the first Lime Gold versions in 2022 – 18 pieces – and the other in fine steel in 58 pieces, Montblanc now introduces a new material for its single-pusher chronograph. The 43 mm diameter case is in fact made of steel with an antiqued effect, a finish achieved by treatment with a black varnish.
After being varnished, the manufacture’s watchmakers wash the case and then brush it by hand with a stone from Mont Blanc (quartzite) and limestones from the La Combe Grède mountain located opposite the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret. Thanks to this treatment, the case takes on a patina that gives each watch a unique appearance.
Contrasting with the color of the case is a white gold bezel inspired by the first bezel found on a 1927 Minerva example.
On the back of the watch, however, the engraving of the historic Minerva manufacture can be seen.
The caliber Minerva MB M16.29
This new watch is powered by the iconic hand-finished, hand-wound Minerva MB caliber M16.29. So that the mechanical action of the movement components could be visualized, Montblanc decided to turn the caliber upside down in order to make it visible from the side of the dial
This was not an easy undertaking as flipping the movement also involved reversing the direction of the hands, as well as adding 21 components, thus turning an aesthetic change into a technical feature.
Among Montblanc chronographs, the caliber MB M16.29 turned out to be one of the few to guarantee the result sought by the Maison for its “skeletonized” single-pusher chronograph.
On this movement made of sandblasted German silver are Minerva’s characteristic arrow, a tribute to the Roman goddess, and the maison’s “V” bridge whose shape takes its inspiration from the mountains opposite the Villeret manufacture.
Montblanc Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph
On the right side of the 14.18 mm thick case is the winding crown containing the pusher through which the chronograph can be operated.
As far as the chronograph minutes are concerned, the indications are shown above the skeleton sub-dial at 3 o’clock. At 9 o’clock, on the other hand, is the small seconds counter. The hands and hour markers, including the number 12, are made of Super-LumiNova in order to ensure excellent legibility even in the dark.
Price and availability
The new Montblanc Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher, accompanied by a black nubuck alligator leather strap with a triple folding clasp in antiqued-effect steel, is sold at an instinct price of EUR 41,000 and is limited to 88 pieces, available here.
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