Montblanc

mkt33
[PuristS]
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Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec Part 2

First, let's offer a few words to remember the watchmaker himself... This is Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec

 
 
He was already a successful young watchmaker in Paris when he was appointed as the royal watchmaker for Louis XVIII in 1817.  Just four years later, he developed his "inking chronograph" to time a horse race on the Champ de Mars which not only recorded the winning time but also for all the horses running in the race.

This invention was examined by Breguet and Gaspard de Prony for the French Academy of Sciences.  These two renowned experts proclaimed "We think that Mr. Rieussec’s Chronograph deserves the Academy’s approval".  Fast forward 17 years later to 1838, while trying to obtain a new patent for his Chronograph, Rieussec writes :

“The first Chronographs, for which I obtained a Patent in 1821, were too large in size to be easily transportable as watches, due to the complicated parts that made up the mechanism. “Since that time I have attempted to simplify the mechanism enough so that chronographs could be incorporated into very small watches, and as will be seen in the description < >, I have even combined the chronograph movement and the watch movement in a single case, such that this instrument is always available to use. The simplifications that I have added are such that I can adapt this mechanism even to the most ordinary watches and put them on the market at a very moderate price"

Now let's take a look at Montblanc's modern interpretation of Rieussec's wrist chronograph...This year's Homage to Nicolas Rieussec! 

Besides being a monopusher chronograph, Montblanc incorporated a day-night indicator, a date, and a GMT function.  These complications are essential for today's busy, successful, and well travelled gentlemen.
 

We know that functionally, this new Homage to Rieussec is essentially the same compared to previous models.  However, for some of us who thought the basic Rieussec dial design was a little too busy aesthetically, this new model is refreshingly attractive. Take a look.  These are the features which Montblanc designers used to link between the current wristwatch to the original Rieussec chronograph.


 
The resemblance carries beyond this simple comparison with the original horse race chronograph. Here is a photo of an updated chronograph /  pocketwatch which was the patent granted to Rieussec in 1838.  Notice how the main time dial is of the same concept/aesthetic on the Homage to Rieussec. 

   

Of course the most interesting new feature is the imbedded luminosity in the ceramic hours dial.  Montblanc calls this Mysterious Superluminova. 

  "The traditionally styled hour-circle is crafted from ultramodern hybrid ceramic permeated with “Mysterious Superluminova” pigments, an innovative technology exclusively created for Montblanc. These luminous pigments form the Arabic hour numerals in the characteristic font of the MontblancRieussec collection. The digits are invisible in daylight because they’re precisely embedded into the hour ring, with which they share exactly the same colour. But when the ambient light starts to dim, the luminous pigments that fill the numerals"  

 

Of course inquisitive PuristS will ask "What is a hybrid ceramic"?  Montblanc kindly provided PuristSpro with a description and an electron microscopic photo to examine.

This material comprises 60% of very fine powdered ceramic with grains measuring 1 micron of diameter. The remaining 40% comprise organic matter material, which allows you to create a material with unique properties.  Compared to standard ceramic elements, this new technic allows to create surfaces with perfect colors and scratch resistant, with exceptional touch and elegance to give the watches and other jewelry a unique look

I had the opportunity to see the prototype in NYC earlier this Spring.  I must admit it is extremely attractive and unique.

 

Here are photos from various angles to demonstrate:

Of course, there is a more limited series produced in rose gold.  This photo is from Oliver and Magnus at SIHH 2014.  It is also attractive if you like a watch with more contrast between the rose gold case and the silvered dial.  But the price difference...Ouch!

And here is the hybrid ceramic ring with the mysterious superluminova.  Precharge.

Postcharge.  Yup it really does work well!

The obligatory wristshot on my 7.5 inch wrist.  Again a bit thick and I really do think they need to modify the crown shape.  Otherwise this Homage to Rieussec is a homerun!

Has anyone else played with one of these?  I'd love to get your impressions.

HAGWE,

Mike

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