Montblanc and Hodinkee join forces to launch the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition of 25 pieces, marking a new collaboration. Paying tribute to the Minerva heritage, this vintage special edition combines a stainless steel case, a distinctive dial and the Manufacture Chronograph MB M13.21, all of which are inspired by the historical Minerva Chronograph Caliber 13.20 of 36 mm from the 1930s.
HODINKEE & Montblanc Partnership
Founded in New York in 2008, Hodinkee is the preeminent resource for modern and vintage wristwatch enthusiasts. Founder and CEO Benjamin Clymer and his team of editors are known for their innate understanding of both historical references and the most cutting-edge Haute Horlogerie. Over the past few years, Hodinkee has racked up some impressive limited-edition collaborations with major watchmakers.
“Thanks to a long-lasting professional relationship, we are pleased to cooperate for the first time with Hodinkee, which has strong expertise in terms of vintage watches. For over four years now, we have worked hard to combine the heritage of both Minerva and Montblanc in all our product lines so we can say that Montblanc is the continuity of Minerva. It has been a memorable experience to discuss and collaborate with Hodinkee to bring this new edition to life. We have taken key elements from a 1930’s model and turned them into a contemporary yet vintage timepiece” says Davide Cerrato, Montblanc Managing Director Watch Division.
Thanks to a creative and passionate discussion between Davide Cerrato and Benjamin Clymer, the new Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Limited Edition for Hodinkee has been developed. The idea was to create an exclusive model within the Montblanc 1858 product line, which is inspired by military chronographs produced by Minerva in the first part of the 20th century. This Limited Edition goes further than a simple military re-edition, it expresses the spirit of mountain exploration, follows the trend of reconnecting to nature, and links to the mountains, a theme deeply rooted in Montblanc’s DNA.
The inspiration has been centred on Minerva chronographs from the 1930s and in particular, the 36 mm model featuring a black dial with beige elements and equipped with the iconic chronograph calibre 13.20. This 13-lines movement was the first integrated chronograph produced by the manufacturer in 1920 and featured a very classical and harmonious horizontal clutch with column wheel construction. It is also important to note that it is adorned, as per all Minerva chronographs since the beginning of the 20th century, with the very recognizable V-shaped chronograph bridge (patented in 1912). The result is a distinctive timepiece that represents a new facet of Montblanc watchmaking and sets a next milestone in the integration of the heritage of Minerva within the Montblanc collection.
Also, each purchase of this exceptional timepiece will include an invitation from Hodinkee to experience the Montblanc manufacture and visit the heart of Swiss watchmaking country. The trip offers an inside look at the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret—the historic home of Minerva Le Locle, allowing the purchaser to see the Montblanc Museum. The calibre M13.21 being created and assembled, and the strict quality-control tests that each watch undergoes before it leaves the manufacturer.
