1858 Automatic

Vintage watchmaking at its finest: Montblanc introduces bronze into its 1858 Collection

For the very first time in its watch collection, Montblanc unveils new vintage-inspired timepieces using bronze.

Montblanc’s watchmaking expertise goes back to 1858, the year Minerva was founded in Villeret, Switzerland. Since its inception, the Manufacture has been renowned as one of Switzerland’s most revered specialists in chronometric functions for precise time measuring. And since 2007, Montblanc has been exploring Minerva's heritage, finding inspiration in historical functions, mechanics and design codes.

The resulting timepieces capture all the spirit of the past in a modern way. The Montblanc 1858 Collection continues this journey by reinterpreting the famous Minerva chronographs from the 1930s, with distinct designs and exceptional mechanics that traverse time.

Turning to bronze

The vintage style of the Montblanc 1858 Collection has been further enhanced by the introduction of bronze—a first for the Maison. Through this choice of metal, Montblanc combines traditional Swiss artisanal watchmaking with a genuine material from watch-making history. Bronze complements both the colours of the dials and the antique-style straps with its warm sheen, unifying all the elements for a true vintage design. For the first time in the watchmaking industry, bronze is coupled with steel for two new models, and it results in a bicolour, bi-material combination that brings out the best of vintage design.

Special attention has been paid to researching the perfect alloy of bronze that will evolve with its owner by developing its own unique, uniform and attractive patina over the years. The subtle changing colour of the case further enriches the vintage appeal of each timepiece.

Three new bronze versions make up the Collection—a Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Limited Edition 100, a Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time and a Montblanc 1858 Automatic timepiece.

Design codes

The historical design codes taken from the original 1930s Minerva chronograph include large cathedral hands, with their cloisonné design filled with beige Super-LumiNova® luminescent Arabic numerals, vintage shaped crowns and classic minute railway tracks that encircle the dials. Other vintage codes include the original Montblanc logo from the 1930s era with its historical font and emblem of the Mont Blanc Mountain in the centre, along with new cognaccoloured calfskin and alligator straps that have been given an aged look by the artisans at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence.

Montblanc 1858 Automatic

For watch aficionados who love a pure, clean vintage look, the Montblanc 1858 Automatic
combines all the essential elements from the vintage 1858 Collection in an attractive and
striking design that harks back to Minerva’s wristwatches and pocket watches from the 1930s. A deep black dial provides the perfect canvas for the cathedral-shaped hands and Arabic numerals that have been enhanced with beige Super-LumiNova® for great readability at night. The 44mm case is in satinated stainless steel, while the bezel and crown have been produced in bronze. The case back reveals an engraving of the Minerva Manufacture in Villeret, with the Jura Mountains in the background. There is also the Roberts Frères Villeret logo, the historic Minerva logo, the Montblanc name and the arrow from the Goddess Minerva’s spear.

The timepiece is powered by the calibre MB 24.16, a precise automatic movement for the young and modern watch aficionado who appreciates both the vintage look and horological functionality. The timepiece is completed with a brand new aged, cognac-coloured calfskin strap with beige stitching that has been crafted by Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence.