In 2006 the Swiss luxury goods group Richemont bought the Fabrique d'Horlogerie Minerva SA so securing the existing manufacture know-how. Today Minerva is a department of Montblanc and is led under the name Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie (Minerva Institute for top watchmaking art research).
The 1858 collection was specifically created by Montblanc to pay tribute to the Minerva heritage whose history you can read in our feature article: History of Minerva, from its foundation to the integration into Montblanc".
The latest addition to this product line is the 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow, a limited edition of just 88 pieces whose design is clearly inspired to the style of the timepieces worn by pilots in the 1930s.
The key elements from the past include a fluted bezel, this time in 18K white gold – for easy use with pilots’ gloves – and the Maison’s signature red arrow that allowed a quick and easy reading of elapsed time. The red arrow is a nod to the Roman Goddess Minerva, the goddess of craftsmanship, who carried a spear with an arrow at its tip.
The combination of the fluted bi-directional bezel and the red arrow can be used in numerous ways. Firstly, it is possible to track elapsed time by aligning the red arrow with the seconds, minute, or hour hand. This allows the wearer to see how much time has passed.
Secondly, it is possible to set a countdown timer by rotating the bezel so that the red arrow is positioned at a specific time in the future, for example, 15 minutes after the minute hand. The time has elapsed when the minute hand reaches the red arrow marker.
Protected by a scratch-resistant, domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the jet-black dial is enhanced with beige Super-LumiNova hands and Arabic numerals glowing green in low light.
A telemeter scale runs around the outside of the dial as well as a tachymeter (base 1000) in the centre of the dial in a colimaçon snail shape.
A 30-minute chronograph counter is located at three o’clock, a small second counter is positioned at 9 o’clock, and the chronograph seconds are indicated by a central hand.
The Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow LE88 is powered by the hand-wound Calibre MB M13.21 split second chronograph with a column wheel mechanism that allows the user to measure intermediate times without interrupting the ongoing measurement of a longer elapsed time.
The architecture is characterised by the distinctive V bridge, a shape that was inspired by the view of the mountain ridge seen from the windows of the workshop. Beating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), it offers a power reserve of 60 hours.
Water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres / 100 feet), the satin-brushed and polished case is crafted from stainless steel and has a diameter of 42 mm.
Completed by a black alligator leather strap with beige stitching, the new Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow ref. 129614 has a price of Euro 32,800. montblanc.com
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