For the SIHH 2009 MONTBLANC and its traditional watchmaking operation,Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie, have announced a complex new monopusher chronograph whose hand-finished manufacture movement also controls a power reserve indicator and a regulator hour complication. The regulator subdial also presents an additional hour hand that can keep track of a second time zone; this function is supplemented by a day/night indicator, which appears at two o'clock on the guilloched solid gold dial.
The Montblanc Villeret Grande Chronograph Regulator watch is controlled by and exclusive manual winding 16-360 movement, whose constructive and decorative elements are entirely in accord with traditional haute horlogerie. Frequency of the in-house manufactured balance wheel, which is outfitted with mass screws on its rim and Philips terminal curve hairspring is 18,000 beats per hour. Every structure of the movement, from the bridges and chronograph levers to the wheels in the winding mechanism are patiently beveled and polished. The Montblanc 16-360 caliber naturally utilizes a column-wheel for its chronograph control, and in keeping with the concept of high-grade watchmaking, the regulator is of the elegant Swan-neck type, whose form amply displays the anglage finishing technique.A hinged back protects a sapphire crystal exhibition window, through which the caliber may be readily admired.
Montblanc will produce a limited series of the Villeret Grande Chronograph Regulator watch. In commemoration of 1858--the year in which Minerva was founded--there will be 1 piece made in platinum, 8 pieces made in 18K white gold, and a final 58 examples offered in rose gold. Each timepiece is fitted with a hand-stitched alligator strap and a buckle in gold or platinum, according to the variation.
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