Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Part I

Nov 10, 2014,05:44 AM
 

The Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec is perhaps the most iconic watch from Montblanc's watch collection to date. Yes, Montblanc has its very high end and exclusive Villeret collection, started its watch offering in 1997 with the Star collection, won many new fans with its Timewalker collection since 2004 and more recently impressed with the Meisterstuck Heritage and Boheme collection from 2014....  But Montblanc's first in-house movement, designed and manufactured from scratch in their LeLocle manufacture and released in SIHH 2008, was the Nicolas Rieussec. And since then, with the various generations of the Nicolas Rieussec, this collection has become, to most collectors, the most iconic collection in Montblanc's watch offering.


A short recap on the various generations of the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection, from a post Mike did some months back:

montblanc.watchprosite.com

A short description of Nicolas Rieussec's first patented chronograph is provided below (information provided by Montblanc HQ):

Nicolas Rieussec’s first patented chronograph from 1821 inspired the watchmakers at Montblanc to create the Nicolas Rieussec watch collection with manufacture movements and distinctive styling. The timepiece’s unmistakable appearance combines an off-centre hour-circle in the upper part of the dial and the chronograph’s elapsed-time displays in the lower portion of the face. As on the original from 1821, elapsed time is shown on two rotating discs, above each of which a motionless hand indicates the passing seconds and minutes. Nicolas Rieussec, watchmaker to the French royal court, invented this construction to precisely measure the running times of individual horses at a horserace. When the starting gun was fired at the track, the patented “ink chronograph” was set in motion so that two white enamelled discs began to turn: one disc was calibrated for 60 elapsed seconds, the other for 30 elapsed minutes. The user pressed a button each time a horse crossed the finish line: this pressure momentarily lowered an elongated rhombic carrier with two ink-filled tips onto the enamel discs, where each tip left a droplet of ink. These inky markings on the scales of the chronograph’s discs enabled the user to read the exact running time of each horse. Rieussec’s device was literally a “time writer,” so he accordingly named it a “chronograph” from the Greek words “chronos” (time) and “graphein” (to write). In 1822, the Académie des Sciences in Paris granted a patent on this device to Nicolas Rieussec, who went down in horological history as the inventor of the world’s first patented chronograph. 


When Montblanc first launched the Star collection back in 1997, it was reported that a watch journalist asked a Montblanc executive jokingly "so where do you put the ink?". 10 years later, when Montblanc launched their first in-house movement in the form of the Nicolas Rieussec generation one, I personally believe Montblanc gave the perfect answer to this question. A chronograph means "Time Writer" in Greek. So there you have it... Writing time... this theme fits Montblanc perfectly and since then, chronographs have become a staple complication amongst Montblanc's watch collection (the Villeret collections are consistent with this focus too, Minerva being a chronograph specialist).







A few collector friends of mine mentioned to me they love the concept of the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec, especially the very unique chronograph discs which turn, true to Nicolas Rieussec's original chronograph. However, some of them were not sure about the "bullish" look on the dial (although some love that unique look).

*side note: I actually like this black dial Nicolas Rieussec alot too but didnt buy it because I felt it was a tad big for me... my wrists are too small! Anyone who feels otherwise, pls help convince me! :P


Then in SIHH 2014, Montblanc launched a limited edition Homage to Nicolas Rieussec... that wowed many of these friends.

The Limited Edition Homage to Nicolas Rieussec
This was a wristshot of my friend with larger wrists. Looks so nice on him!


In 2014, Montblanc pays tribute to this great clockmaker with a new interpretation of his chronograph from 1821. The Montblanc “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph faithfully replicates every detail of the colour scheme and the styling of the hands as they appeared on the original “time writer”, but relies on innovative materials and technologies to transport the historical device into our contemporary day and age. The new “Homage to Nicolas Rieussec” chronograph from the Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec collection shows the date, indicates the time in two different time zones and also offers a day/night display. The timepiece will be manufactured in limited editions in rose gold and steel.


More recently in Watches and Wonders 2014, a special edition of the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec was launched, with a superluminova horse. I covered this more in my Watches and Wonders report. Really a cool feature.



On my wrist. At 43mm a tad too big for me but ok for most men I beileve

(please someone tell me it's not too big for me... pleeeeease) smile




The Super Lumi-nova comes alive. Notice the Horse and the bridge of the chrono dics now having this same effect in the dark.

The Super Lumi-nova comes alive. Notice the Horse and the bridge of the chrono dics now having this same effect in the dark.


Both the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec and its special edition versions are very appealing to me. Though I love the black dial Nicolas Rieussec, I must admit the clean, white grainy dial and the chronograph discs and bridge, being closer in design to the original chronograph on this Homage version, appeals alot to me. Plus these are both Limited Edition watches.

I will follow up with more posts on the Homage to Nicolas Rieussec regarding the design codes, the mysterious superluminova and some details on the MB R200 movement found on this watch. Stay tuned!

Cheers
robin


This message has been edited by jrwong23 on 2014-11-10 05:45:24 This message has been edited by jrwong23 on 2014-11-10 05:47:50


More posts: CalibresCollection VilleretHomage to Nicolas Rieussec MB R200Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec CollectionNicolas Rieussec Chronograph AutomaticNicolas Rieussec CollectionTimeWalker Collection

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Comments: view entire thread

 

I like this watch a lot!

 
 By: jlux : November 11th, 2014-01:30
Unfortunately I have the same problem as you : it just does not sit well on my wrist. It is not the size of 43mm, it is the design,shape and lenght of the lugs that make it feel like an alien on the wrist. This is a pity as otherwise I would have already ... 

Hopefully they will have a smaller version someday :)

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 14th, 2014-06:03
Thanks Gerard for your feedback. Agree with you it's a tad big for us with small wrists. Hopefully there will be a 40mm Rieussec someday :) Cheers Robin

I have contemplated adding a Nicolas Rieussec over the years.

 
 By: MichaelC : November 11th, 2014-12:03
I really prefer the manual winding versions, and several really tempted me. I must admit, the bridge between the chrono dials is really cool on this homage piece. The subdials are very clean. And the use of the Luminova is quite original. Nice report Robi... 

Thank you Michael

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 14th, 2014-06:04
Glad you like the report :) We will follow up with another report on the movement and design cues soon :) Stay tuned Cheers Robin

Hi Robn, I can tell by your post that you really...

 
 By: GLau : November 12th, 2014-09:11
love the Rieussec watches !! The new one with the Horse looks good on your wrist (and achieves the Chinese Zodiac objective in an understated way)!! Cheers, Gordon p.s. unfortunately your wife will hate me for writing the above. Remember to defend me by u... 

Lol! I showed her your post!!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 14th, 2014-06:05
And she laughed so much. You think it looks ok on me? Not too big ?! :D I have hope lol Thanks Gordon!! Cheers Robin

Hi Robin, it looks great on your wrist as it allows...

 
 By: GLau : November 14th, 2014-06:17
others to enjoy seeing it !! Size is not understated but the Horsey is very understated as it is "hidden" in the dial and only you know its double meaning !! So your wife is supportive of you getting it ?? If so, I am off the hook !! Cheers, Gordon

Finally got to experience the Rieussec

 
 By: Tick Talk : November 13th, 2014-08:22
Stopped by the boutique in Hong Kong airport while killing time during a ridiculously long lay-over. Did you know they took out all the chaise lounges :-( Also discovered newly opened IWC and Blancpain stores (well, the BP was more of a closet with counte... 

Glad to see you are back! How was your trip?

 
 By: mkt33 : November 13th, 2014-17:11
Sorry to hear about your experience in HK...it does leave an unpleasant impression if the highlight of the boutique wasn't working properly. I really like the Rieussec...just needs to be a tad thinner... Best, Mike

Trip of a lifetime, Mike

 
 By: Tick Talk : November 14th, 2014-07:22
A great way to celebrate my wife's retirement :-) Tigers Nest, Paro, Bhutan ...  

Agree Dean. I also hope

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 14th, 2014-06:08
Montblanc comes up with smaller and thinner Rieussecs in future. Wow a Montblanc boutique in HK airport having a faulty Rieussec? I will feedback to them on this so they can take a look Thanks for letting us know Dean Cheers Robin

I like the horse - the year of the Horse :-)

 
 By: KIH : November 14th, 2014-20:27
Snake or Dragon is a bit of "no-no" for me, but horse is universally appealing :-) I like it! Ken

Agree Ken!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 15th, 2014-01:03
Horse is a majestic yet gentle and loyal companion. Easy to appreciate by all. Interesting that the key of this watch was to highlight the significance of the first patented chronograph and horse racing but some of you here came up with the idea of linkin...