By Osheen Arakelian
The Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection is known well amongst many watch aficionado’s and for good reason. The name was originally derived from “chronométrie” that is French for precision timekeeping. It is a symbol for Montblanc and their constant desire to improve the quality and performance of their timepieces. They aren’t new to the world of calendar watches with Montblanc already sporting a number of calendar watches including the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Moonphase, the Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar and the Star Twin Moonphase amongst many more. Today see’s the introduction of yet another calendar watch but this time, a complete four-part calendar.
The four part calendar complication is one of the classic complications used in the watch industry. It is used by some of the most illustrious watch Manufactures including Patek Philippe, Jaeger-Lecoultre and also Vacheron Constantin. It used to display the day, month, date and also moon phase all on the same dial.
So what is the new Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Complet? It is one of the nicest aesthetically pleasing four-part calendar watches we have seen in recent times. The case is finished in stainless steel and measures a humble 40mm in diameter and has a height of only 9.7mm, which is a great size for most people who would wear it under a shirt or suit. It differs in its finish with the watch case being both polished and satin-finished. It has the same styling that we have come to expect from Montblanc with curved horns and an elegant slim case design for optimum comfort. The dial is also wonderful with a silvery-white finish and sunburst pattern. Arabic numerals in rhodium-plating have been utilised for the hour markers at 3, 6 and 9 and 12 o’clock with rhodium-plated faceted indexes and hands to match. The date-hand bears a small red crescent at its tip to improve the legibility of the date function. As always you can find an engraved Montblanc emblem, characteristic of all Heritage Chronométrie watches in the collection on the crown.
Beating inside is the Montblanc Calibre MB 29.16 mechanical self-winding movement with approximately 42-hour power reserve beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. A leather strap adds one final touch to the piece and is manufactured at the Maison’s own leather manufacture near Florence.
The Montblanc is aesthetically beautiful and is so well balanced that it begs the question, why don’t more manufacturers take a cue from Montblanc and give us the function with a beautiful aesthetic instead of a cluttered mess. For more info, please visit montblanc.com
OSHEEN ARAKELIAN – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to the appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is the proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
