jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
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Review: Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph Steel with blue dial – Part Two
Last week, we saw quite a few PuristS share live pictures of the Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph on our Montblanc forum, including a new owner, M4, who just received his watch! I know that very soon another Purist will be receiving his, and I very much look forward to his incoming post. Never before has a Montblanc watch become a community watch on this forum - but now the 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph in steel or red gold is becoming our first Montblanc community watch here!
In
part two of my review of this watch, I will be focusing on the Montblanc
Villeret monopusher chronograph calibre 16.29, as well as some features of the
1858 Tachymeter Chronograph steel version (the red gold version has mostly the
same features except the case material and the dial and lume colors).
We
have seen many pictures of the blue dial on the 1858 Tachymeter steel edition —
how it plays with light, the subtle sunburst effect, and more recently, the
lume of the hour markers and cathedral hands. The last came via a picture
shared by fellow Purist Alex 007.
The
entire 1858 collection pays tribute to the year the Minerva manufacture started
operations. What is the best way to achieve this? It’s to have the most
beautiful, traditionally-crafted Minerva monopusher chronograph calibre
available power this watch!
The
calibre 16.29 is THE REASON why I purchased this watch.
A macro shot of the calibre 16.29 on my Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph
The
Montblanc Villeret calibre MB M16.29 is inspired by the original caliber 17.29
made by Minerva for wristwatches & pocket watches since the 1930s. The
illustration below shows a comparison between the vintage and modern calibres.
Of
course, the Minerva in the old days was not a haute horology brand and hence
the finishing of the calibre was industrial. The traditional horizontal disc
clutch architecture of the chronograph movement, the large V-bridge and slow
oscillating balance wheel are still very appealing to me, even with an
industrial level of finishing. With the calibre 16.2, we have the same
traditional architecture but with much more attention given to the finishing of
the movement including high-end techniques such as Côtes de Genève” patterning and sublime bevelling, use of
gold chatons, rhodium-plated german silver chronograph bridges, the
highly-finished Minerva arrow (which many of us adore), etc.
I
will share some more macro shots from my watch here.
I love column wheels and here is a highly polished one on the calibre 16.29. The column wheel on this calibre will be even more attractive if it were larger, as it looks quite small proportionately to the super-large balance wheel and V-bridge.
One of my favourite features of high end watches is a large and slow oscillating balance wheel. This calibre 16.29’s balance wheel, crafted in-house at the Montblanc Villeret manufacture, with in-house manufactured hairspring (counted and regulated by hand), is my favorite in my collection.
Another shot of the V-bridge with gold chatons, highly polished screws and gears.
The
picture below shows the architecture of the vintage calibre 17.29.
And here is a picture with the technical specifications of the modern calibre 16.29.
Do
you think the calibre 16.29 is a worthy successor? Personally, I definitely
think so.
I had
shared this video before of the oscillating balance wheel. Here is a recap:
On
the dial, we all appreciate the beauty of the blue sunburst dial on our recent
posts here on PuristSPro’s Montblanc forum. It was good that Alex 007 revealed
the power of its luminous detailing, a feature I didn’t appreciate until his
sharing. There is another feature we seldom discuss, i.e. the Tachymeter
function.
The tachymeter scale on the outer periphery of the dial facilitates the computing of speed. Multiplying the value shown on the tachymeter scale via the second hand by the measured distance results in the correct speed. For example, if 1 kilometer is travelled in 30 seconds, multiplying the corresponding tachymeter value of 120 by the distance of 1 km equals a speed of 120 km/h. This works for miles too, for those few who still use that archaic unit (which was more popular in 1858).
Ok,
I know most of us won’t be using the Tachymeter but to me, it is another of
those old school charms we have in chronographs which I find fascinating
especially as this is my first watch with a tachymeter scale.
Finally,
I would like to share one more feature of this watch, which may not be
important to everyone but it is to me. All Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter
Chronographs will go through Montblanc’s 500 hour laboratory test and each
watch will have its individual certificate.
Here is mine.
Here
is a video on Montblanc’s Youtube channel on their 500 hour test.
Maybe
I am a geek but I really appreciate my watch having gone through such a rigour
and awarded a certificate to prove it. A fine detail and luxury if you ask me.
Hope
you have enjoyed this two part post on the 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph.
To
conclude, here are two pictures from the manufacture, on the hand finishing and
assembly of the calibre 16.29.
For
more details on this watch, you can refer to Montblanc’s website at:
And
the 1858 collection at:
Cheers
robin
Review: Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph Steel with blue dial – Part Two
Last week, we saw quite a few PuristS share live pictures of the Montblanc 1858 Tachymeter Chronograph on our Montblanc forum, including a new owner, M4, who just received his watch! I know that very soon another Purist will be receiving his, and I very m...
I agree, the Cal 16.29 is THE main reason to get the 1858 Tachymeter.
I don't know any other modern watch with such a level of decoration at that price. Add the large balance wheel, the Devil's Tail ( chrono stop lever ), and you understand why this chronograph is a winner. Interesting article, Robin. Best, Nicolas
Somehow, I'm glad that
...I'm not the only one who calls it the "Devil's Tail". Perhaps it's a metaphor for the temptation to acquire one? Regards, skyeriding
Once you factor in price
There is no fight . This is THE fine chronograph to get I agree It\'s only drawback will be the 44mm size. But even then, i still enjoy it a lot on my 6.2 inch wrist so I am sure everyone else will be ok
Yes, but for once, there is a good reason behind the size. Which is far from being the case, most often.
For example, the Patek 5070: What was the need to go for a 42 mm case? Its 27 mm movement? Best, Nicolas
The reason imho is not about finding a link between the size of the case and the movement
but how the size of the watch supports its shape, what is the spirit behind its look (dressy, sporty, pilot watch, casual etc...) and especially how it works with the dial: a 3 hands watch will not work the same way a chronograph or QP dial will with for ...
Yes, you're right
Then the brand chooses the version to launch. But I feel this is not the trend right now !
With the Montblanc Villeret, you have super fine movements in 39 to 44 mm cases.
Add an enamel dial and precious metal for a bit more than 40 K Euros, and you have the top. Best, Nicolas
Indeed, and I remember trying the smaller chronos several years ago
But as dealing with Pilot watches, this is the area where, yet, the big sizes are the trend... You can suggest them to try the smaller size, it would be a nice move too!
A look onto pure pleasure, it appears.. Great part 2, again !.. This movement is a real juwel in its class & outdoes many others..
When I read & followed your inspiring review and pics, I am slowly regretting not to have enlisted to getting this watch. I bet, the 100 LE pieces will be gone very soon and maybe are already secured by their happy owners. But alas, one cannot have it all...
I really hope there is a chance
You can see this in the metal and get one piece for yourself . I am very sure you will enjoy this a lot hs Cheers Robin
Great review with nice marco pics and video...
.. can't wait for part 3 and my birthday is coming bro !
Lol! When is your birthday? :)
I finished what I want to share by part two so there won\'t be a part 3. But I will share more about this watch over time as an owner
Well done Robin.
An interesting read and summary that captures my thoughts for sure. M4
Thank you very much M4
I am sure you are enjoying yours a lot now. Take the loupe and enjoy it at a deeper level Cheers Robin
Excellent, informative read
I can't wait to see the big and slow balance up close! Reminds me of my big diesel heavy duty pickup... just idling along at low RPM, but with continuous, sustained power. Thanks for putting in the research to compare the 16.29 with its inspiration!
That's the same feeling I get bro!
Actually our H.Moser is also a slow oscillator. Same speed as the Montblanc Villeret balance wheels
Definitely a worthy successor to the 17 :)
Thanks for your excellent report - well done, photographed and informative, as always