TWO TIMES AND A SINGLE MOVEMENT
With this limited edition model with a chronograph rattrapante movement, the split function reaches the summits with Montblanc. A real trailblazer!
Since Montblanc incorporated the technical skills of Minerva, the brand has excelled in producing monopusher chronographs. Last year, we saw a limited edition sports watch of this type in the 1858 collection, the 1858 Monopusher Chronograph. At the SIHH 2019, a new version of the model was introduced, the 1858 Split Second Chronograph. While preserving its main technical asset – the split-time measurements using a single button on the crown – the watch innovates with its rattrapante (“catch-up”) function. Two central chronograph hands are included. They are activated by a press on the crown. A touch on the pusher at 2 o’clock stops one of them, while the other continues. It is stopped by another press on the crown. This mechanism means it is easy to time two different events starting at the same time.
All these features are housed in a 44mm-wide bronze case that will take on an attractive patina over time. The 100 pieces in this limited edition are driven by the hand-wound MB16.31 movement (50 hours of power reserve).
Price: 32,500 EUR
By Dan Diaconu
The limited edition of 100 pieces comes with a hand-sewn, dark brown alligator leather strap with a tang buckle.
This new watch by Tissot is worn with a Milanese mesh steel strap, a brown or black grained calfskin alligator-feel leather strap or a coffee-coloured, pink or peach-orange, smooth leather strap.
Since this is Hermès, the Galop watch comes with a wide range of leather straps with tang buckles, from the most traditional style (natural or black Barenia calf leather) to the most exotic (sapphire blue smooth, ember, raspberry, elephant grey or black alligator leather) via an elegant matt etoupe-coloured alligator leather strap.
On a dial without hour markers, a minute track, a second scale or any other frills, the magnetic green colour is even more striking, and enhanced by a sunburst finish and smoky effect. In the centre, two silvered leaf-shaped hands display the hours and minutes, while a round opening at 6 o’clock shows off the flying tourbillon with its open-work bridges.
The Big Bang Unico Paraíba chronograph features a matt-black open-work dial, while the hour, minute and split-time elements are decorated in gold or silver and turquoise. The totaliser showing the chronograph minutes also discreetly houses the date at 3 o’clock. The watch is powered by the automatic calibre HUB1242, providing 72 hours of power reserve.
And the best is saved for last: the burgundy dial with a sunburst finish is breathtakingly beautiful. Two silver-coloured, dauphine-type hands display the hours and minutes against a series of hour markers and a minute track painted white. The seconds are shown in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
The limited edition of just 30 pieces features the head of the fabulous animal on its dial. The big cat seems to lurk behind a curtain of tall grass, with its gaze fixed on its future prey. The dial has a chequerboard pattern decorated with miniature painting. The mosaic includes small mother-of-pearl tiles and a handful of diamonds, echoing the gems on the bezel and the pearled crown. The panther’s unsettling gaze is coated with Super-LumiNova®. So when night falls over the savannah and the watch is plunged in darkness, the black cat turns into a fearsome predator with only its almond-shaped eyes shining in the night.
The two new models come with a rubber strap matching the watch colour and a titanium folding clasp.