In a triumphant return that blends historical reverence with horological innovation, Montblanc unveils the 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100, an exquisite timepiece that draws elegant breath from a storied 1930s Minerva military chronograph—and dresses it anew in rich, regal burgundy.
A Salute to Time-Honored Craftsmanship
Rooted in the legacy of Minerva—Montblanc’s celebrated manufacture known for crafting precise and resilient watches for military use during the 1920s and 1930s—this latest edition pays homage with a sartorial flair. Housed in a robust 44mm stainless steel case, its crown jewel is a fluted bezel fashioned from 18-karat white gold, a refined nod to the original utilitarian spirit now reimagined with modern sophistication.
The deep burgundy sunray dial is nothing short of couture for the wrist. Black counters and luminous Arabic numerals pop with vintage allure, while cathedral-style hands and the central split-second hand evoke a sense of romantic nostalgia—simultaneously past and present, daring and classic.
The Rattrapante: A Complication Worth the Conversation
At the heart of this horological marvel lies one of the most mesmerizing and complex features in watchmaking—the rattrapante, or split-second chronograph. A true ballet of precision engineering, the complication allows the user to measure intermediate times with one swift touch, without disrupting the ongoing chronograph. Two chronograph seconds hands sweep together until the wearer activates the pusher at 2 o’clock—splitting them apart. One pauses; the other continues. A second push reunites the hands in perfect synchrony, a mechanical pas de deux as poetic as it is precise.
Inside the Case: A Movement with Provenance
Turn the watch over, and you're greeted by a movement that is every bit as artful as its face. The calibre MB M16.31, a monopusher split-second chronograph, is hand-finished and inspired by the early 20th-century Minerva calibres—particularly the famed 19-09CH and its 1930s successor, the 17-29. With its V-shaped bridge (a design patented in 1912), traditional 2.5 Hz frequency, and twin column wheels, this movement is a masterclass in vintage-meets-modern engineering. Every angle—polished, beveled, and Geneva-striped by hand—speaks to the relentless craftsmanship at Montblanc’s Villeret workshop.
Final Flourishes
Completing the piece is a new dark burgundy calf leather strap, subtly embossed with an alligator motif and equipped with a stainless steel triple folding clasp for tailored comfort and secure elegance.
With just 100 pieces available globally, this limited-edition timepiece doesn’t just mark the passage of time—it celebrates a century of watchmaking heritage in one stunning gesture.
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 100 will be available from April 2025—and if history has taught us anything, it’s that moments like this are not to be missed.
