Montblanc honors Nicolas Rieussec, the creator of the first inking chronograph patented in 1821.
Montblanc has just unveiled its latest model, which is dedicated to the memory of Nicolas Rieussec, the inventor of the inking chronograph. This time, the famous haute horlogerie brand commemorates Rieussec’s second invention, from 1825 – the ink-trace chronograph. Rieussec’s discovery offered a new way of measuring short time intervals, using the tip of a direct-drive seconds hand loaded with ink.
The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II is presented in a 43 mm stainless steel case, same as the original 1825 hand-equipped chronograph. The Rieussec’s historical chronograph was the very first time instrument capable of inscribing the duration of a time-period onto two rotating enamelled discs. The name “chronograph” is derived from Ancient Greek: chronos, meaning “time”, and the verb graphein meaning “to write”.
The new Montblanc chronograph is the latest sequel to the chronograph saga that started within the Maison’s manufactures back in 2008. It is when a completely new collection of chronographs powered by a Manufacture caliber, was first presented to the public. This complex watch movement offers a way of reading time measurements on the dial similar to the first timing instrument created by Nicolas Rieussec. In 1825, he presented a significant innovation by replacing the use of a rotating graduated enameled disc with central seconds hand. The tip of the hand was loaded with a drop of ink, to record and mark very short time periods, with 1/5 of a second precision.
In 2015, Montblanc reveals a new interpretation of the historical chronograph, while faithfully reproducing the appearance of the original model. The watch displays the date, a second time zone indication and a day/night indication. The rotating counters indicating the seconds and the recording of 30-minute time periods, which are located respectively on the left and right of the dial, are for the first time replaced by slender chronograph hands. Since this is a contemporary version of the ancient inking chrono, the hands are not loaded with ink – they are controlled by a pusher located at 8 o’clock position. However, the left chronograph seconds hand includes a counterpoise inspired by that found on the long hand of the original 1825 timepiece.
Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II timepiece is available in a limited edition of 565 exemplars. The hour ring and graduation of the counters are made from hybrid ceramic with the exclusive Montblanc Mysterious Super-LumiNova® coating. In daylight, it looks like the enamel of the traditional dials, while in low light conditions it shines out brightly… The caremic also incorporates pigments of Super-LumiNova® to trace out Roman numerals in a typographic style identical to that employed by Nicolas Rieussec for his 1825 chronograph.
Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II is powered by the self-winding MB R200 Manufacture calibre with a double barrel that ensures a 72-hour power reserve.The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and it is completely produced and assembled from 319 parts in the Montblanc workshops in Villeret. The Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II model is delivered with a certificate guaranteeing that its high level of performance has been tested for 500 hours by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters.
Author: Marina Milojevic Pinterest
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