By melding the romantic and nostalgic design cues of the past with modern technical prowess, Montblanc has created the perfect collection (The Heritage Collection) both in terms of form as well as function. Today the maison is unveiling three novelties within its Heritage product line: Heritage Manufacture Pulsograph Limited Edition 100 Ref 126095, Heritage Monopusher Chronograph Ref 126078 and the Heritage Automatic Ref 126464 with a brand-new lacquered British-racing-green dial. Inspired by classic Minerva wristwatches from the 1940s and 1950s, these timepieces with their distinctive colour associations and refined complications are dedicated to, in the words of Montblanc, the ‘Neo-dandy’ Gentlemen of today.

Here’s what you can look forward to in 2020.

Montblanc Heritage Manufacture Pulsograph Limited Edition 100 Ref 126095

Building on the success of the Heritage Pulsograph Limited Edition with a salmon-coloured dial introduced last year, Montblanc is now unveiling a brand-new model in a 40mm 18K rose gold case with a distinctive smoked tobacco-brown dial, reinforcing the trendy vintage style. Better known to collectors, as the ‘Doctor’s Watch’ (simply because the watch is built with a Pulsograph complication that was used by doctors in the 40’s, to measure a patient’s heart rate) this one is without a doubt the highlight of the Heritage product line.

The refined tobacco-brown dial is punctuated with several vintage design codes from the 1940s and 50s: For example – a
domed smoked lacquered dial with “grainé” hour ring and sunray finishes, 1K rose gold-coated luminescent Arabic numerals and dots for indexes, 18K rose gold-coated luminescent dauphine hour and minute hands, 18K rose gold baton-shaped hands for the seconds and the chronograph indications, rack minuterie, and the old school international payphone indications of 3, 6 and 9 minutes on the chronograph’s minutes counter.

Limited to 100 pieces, the 2020 Montblanc Heritage Manufacture Pulsograph runs on an MB M13.21 Manufacture Monopusher Chronograph Calibre with column-wheel chronograph which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. This high-end movement is composed of a large balance wheel with 18 screws that beats at the traditional frequency of 18,000 A/H, the iconic V-shaped chronograph bridge whose designed was patented in 1912, and the emblematic hand-decorated Minerva arrow. To match the 18K rose gold case and the tobacco-brown dial, the calibre MB M13.21 features rose gold-coated plate and bridges.

Complementing the different subtle elements of the dial is the Brown Sfumato alligator-skin strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with 18 K rose gold pin buckle. This watch offers a power reserve of approx. 55 hours, and a 50m water resistance.

Movement – Calibre MB M13.21
Type of movement – Manually wound monopusher chronograph with pulsometer scale Chronograph Monopusher with column-wheel and horizontal coupling
Dimensions – Diameter = 29.50 mm; height = 6.40 mm
Number of components – 239
Number of rubies – 22
Power Reserve – Approx. 55 hours
Balance – Balance with screws, diameter = 11.40 mm; moment of inertia = 26 mgcm2

Frequency – 18,000 A/h (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring – With Phillips terminal curve
Plate – Rose gold-plated German silver with circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges, rose gold-plated German silver bridges with “Côtes de Genève”, circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges

Going-train – Gold-plated, circular grained, chamfered, diamond hubs on both sides
Displays – Hours and minutes from the centre, small seconds at 9 o’clock Chronograph’s elapsed-second hand from the dial’s centre, 30-elapsed minute counter at 3 o’clock Pulsometer scale graduated for 30 pulsations

Case – 18 K rose gold, polished case
Crystal – Scratch-resistant, domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with antireflective coating

Back – Stainless steel with inset pane of sapphire crystal
Dimensions – Diameter = 40 mm; Height = 12.65 mm
Watertightness – 5 bar (50 m)
Crown – 18 K rose gold with Montblanc emblem in relief
Pusher – Monopusher chronograph at 2 o’clock
Dial – Domed lacquered smoked tobacco brown-coloured dial with “grainé” hour ring and sunray finishes, 18 K rose gold-coated luminescent applied Arabic numerals and dots as indexes, 18 K rose gold-coated luminescent bent dauphine hour- and minute-hands, 18K rose gold-coated baton second- and 30-minute chronograph counter-hands, 18K rose gold-coated bent baton central 60-second chronograph hand, historical Montblanc logo at 12 o’clock, pulsometer scale on the external part of the dial

Wristband – Brown Sfumato alligator-skin strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with 18 K rose gold pin buckle, Limited Edition 100

Montblanc Heritage Monopusher Chronograph Ref 126078

Montblanc makes some pretty serious chronographs and this accessibly priced new Montblanc Heritage Monopusher Chronograph Ref 126078 is another example of the maison getting it right. The watch sits at the heart of the Heritage product line and features the latest chronograph design with a domed, salmon-coloured dial with black rhodium-coated Arabic numerals and dots for indexes, giving the timepiece an elegant and sophisticated look. The domed salmon-coloured dial with “grainé” hour ring and sunray finishes, reflects light brilliantly at different angles. Seeing Montblanc put this kind of flair and flourish on an accessibly priced watch makes it a very exciting proposition.

Other features include a blue rack minuterie, black rhodium-coated luminescent dauphine hands for the hours and minutes, and contrasting blued steel baton hands for the seconds and the chronograph indications, providing great visibility. A closer look at the minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock reveals an indicator for 3, 6 and 9 minutes – a vintage touch from the days when we used coin-operated telephones and needed to track the length and cost of a call. It’s these little touches that keep the romance of old crafts alive.

Inside the polished and satin-finished 42 mm stainless steel case is an MB 25.12 monopusher chronograph movement with automatic winding. Fitted with a matching grey Sfumato alligator strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy, this one will be a conversation starter for sure.

Recommended Retail Price: $7,650 Australian Dollars

Movement – Calibre MB 25.12
Type of movement – Mechanical movement with automatic winding, monopusher chronograph
Number of rubies – 27
Power Reserve – Approx. 48 hours
Balance – Flat hoop
Frequency – 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring – Flat
Displays – Hours and minutes from the centre, small seconds at 9 o’clock Chronograph’s elapsed-second hand from the dial’s centre, 30-elapsed minute counter at 3 o’clock

Case – Stainless steel case with polished and satin-finishes
Crystal – Scratch-resistant, domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with antireflective coating

Back – Stainless steel with Minerva Manufacture engraving
Dimensions – Diameter = 42 mm; Height = 14.7 mm
Watertightness – 5 bar (50 m)
Crown – Stainless steel with Montblanc emblem in relief
Pusher – Monopusher chronograph integrated into the crown
Dial – Domed salmon-coloured dial with “grainé” hour ring and sunray finishes, black rhodium-coated applied Arabic numerals and dots as indexes, black rhodium-coated luminescent bent dauphine hour- and minute-hands, blued baton second- and 30-minute chronograph counter-hands, blued bent baton 60-second central chronograph hand, historical Montblanc logo at 12 o’clock

Wristband – Grey Sfumato alligator-skin strap coming strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with stainless steel triple-folding clasp

Montblanc Heritage Automatic Ref 126464

The new Montblanc Heritage Automatic Ref 126464 takes you back to the good ol’ 40s with its beautiful retro vibe. Nicely sized at 40mm, this version comes in with an 18K yellow gold case and a brand-new lacquered British-racing-green dial.

The new colour combination is enhanced by yellow gold details on the dial, including 18 K yellow gold-coated curved Dauphine hands that have been enhanced with SuperLuminova, along with applied Arabic numerals and dots for indexes that are also in yellow gold. Providing great flair, the dial has been lacquered – a technique that requires expertise and dexterity. Another compelling element is the elegant British-racing-green Sfumato strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy.

Like all the Montblanc Heritage Automatic models, the watch is powered by the Calibre MB 24.27, an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 50 metres.

Recommended Retail Price: $13,800

Movement – Calibre MB 24.27
Type of movement – Mechanical movement with automatic winding
Number of rubies – 25
Power Reserve – Approx. 42 hours
Balance – Flat hoop
Frequency – 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring – Flat
Displays – Hours, minutes and seconds from the centre

Case – 18 K yellow gold, polished case
Crystal – Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire crystal with antireflective coating
Back – Stainless steel with Minerva Manufacture engraving
Dimensions – Diameter = 40 mm; Height = 11 mm
Watertightness – 5 bar (50 m)
Crown – 18 K yellow gold with Montblanc emblem in relief
Dial – Domed lacquered British racing green-coloured dial with “grainé” hour ring and sunray finishes, 18K yellow gold-coated applied Arabic numerals and dots as indexes, 18 K yellow gold-coated luminescent bent dauphine hour- and minute-hands, 18 K yellow gold-coated bent baton second-hand, historical Montblanc logo at 12 o’clock
Wristband – British racing green-coloured Sfumato alligator-skin strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with 18 K yellow gold pin buckle