By Osheen Arakelian
Montblanc has always been synonymous with simplicity and elegance and today is another example of why this statement is still true to this day. Introducing the new Star Roman Small Second Automatic in all its glory. This latest piece sees the introduction of a small complication to the Monblanc Star Roman Collection, which is the decentralised seconds display located at 6 o’clock. This new change emphasises the pure and classic aesthetics of the timepiece and also highlights its functional qualities. It is by all intensive purposes, a tool watch, nothing more, nothing less. It is what makes it such an elegant and aesthetically pleasing timepiece. It doesn’t try to make itself more than precisely what it is and for that it has our respect and our love.
Every detail has been designed and engineered to reflect the various qualities and DNA of Montblanc. The case is a slim rounded stain steel case that has been polished and measures 39mm in diameter. In keeping with the rounded design of the case, the crown has also been given the Montblanc treatment and is spherical in shape with the Monblanc emblem embedded into the tip of the crown. The case is finished off with Montblanc engraved on the side of the case and sapphire crystal glass has been used dial-side and case-back side to keep everything clean from impure and unworthy hands.
Tucked under the sapphire crystal glass is a beautiful silvery-white dial with a central guilloché pattern that has a thee dimensional stamping. The use of black Roman Numerals around the dial representing the hour markers look beautiful set atop the silvery-white dial and the clever use of Arabic Numerals around the very outer edge of the dial provide a bit of easy reading and legibility if remembering your Roman Numerals is proving difficult during the course of the day (let’s hope that’s never the case). Also utilised with excellent effect is the blued feuille hour-hand and minute-hand that contrast the unique tone of the dial in pure elegance. Also blued is the baton small seconds hand that is shaped with a snowcap at its very tip. Lastly, a date window has also been included at 3 o’clock but isn’t prominent on the dial drawing your eyes away from everything else.
Ticking away at its centre is the automatic self-winding Calibre MB24.16 movement with 31 rubies and approximately 38 hour power reserve (a little less than I was expecting). The piece is finished of with your choice of either stainless steel bracelet or an alligator strap with stainless steel folding clasp in keeping with the classic and elegant look of the Star Roman Second Automatic.
A fine addition to the Montblanc Star Roman Collection.
For more info, please visit montblanc.com
OSHEEN ARAKELIAN – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is 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.
