Montblanc introduces three contemporary new renditions of the Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph, a nod to its Parisian roots and heritage.
Montblanc, the esteemed watchmaker renowned for its innovation and craftsmanship, once again pays homage to the historical significance of Nicolas Rieussec’s pioneering work with the unveiling of three new designs of the iconic Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph.
This year’s releases follow the footsteps of the smaller 43mm case size models introduced in 2022, breathing new life into the narrative of this remarkable timekeeping legacy. The three exquisite iterations include a 500-piece limited edition in stainless steel with a black DLC coating and anthracite dial; an unlimited edition in stainless steel featuring a deep blue dial with rhodium-coated hands and counters; and an exclusive 50-piece GCC Limited Edition paying homage to the Middle East’s horse racing legacy. The origin of this story dates back to Nicolas Rieussec’s revolutionary invention in 1821 at Paris’ famous Champs-de-Mars track. His chronograph, designed to precisely record horse race times, marked the birth of fine watchmaking history. The device worked by placing ink drops on rotating counters as horses crossed the finish line, earning Rieussec recognition as the creator of the world’s first inking chronograph.
Montblanc’s journey with the Nicolas Rieussec legacy began in 2007, presenting a wristwatch version of his technology featuring its first inhouse movement. Over the years, the brand has continually reinterpreted Rieussec’s design with various materials, finishes and colours. Now, in 2023, three new designs revive this classic timepiece.
All new models of the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph honour the historical Parisian connection, embedding details that evoke the City of Light. The Clou de Paris motif on the dial, strap and oscillating weight pays homage to Paris’s cobbled streets, adding a touch of tradition to the contemporary aesthetic. Other modern details include open-worked indexes, dynamic dauphine hands with Super-LumiNova, baton indexes, a black semi-transparent sapphire crystal on the caseback, blued screws on the movement and strong colour contrasts between the different elements on each dial.
Powering these timepieces is Montblanc’s iconic self-winding Manufacture monopusher chronograph movement, calibre MB R200, the brand’s first in-house movement. Engineered for both technical precision and aesthetic appeal, this movement features a column-wheel mechanism, a vertical disc clutch and a rapid-reset mechanism for the hour and date, handy for travellers adjusting time zones.
GCC Limited Edition
The GCC Limited Edition celebrates the cultural significance of the Middle East and is presented in a stainless-steel case coated in black DLC, showcasing a multi-layered anthracite dial and refined touches of dark green. These accents pay homage to the shade of green displayed on many GCC countries’ national flags, a colour deeply rooted in the region’s history, culture and religion, symbolising unity, freedom and hope.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the bevelled double indexes, skeletonised second time zone hand, screws and day and night indications are also elegantly adorned in green, along with the alligator strap and the luminescence on the hour and minute hands after sunset.
Notably, the Chronograph GCC Limited Edition stands out for being the first Nicolas Rieussec watch to feature Arabic numerals on the chronograph counters and date, adding both aesthetic and cultural appeal, while enhancing the watch’s exclusivity and desirability among collectors.
The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph GCC Limited Edition offers two interchangeable straps: one in green alligator leather and the other in anthracite textile featuring the Clou de Paris motif. It will be exclusively available for purchase at Montblanc Boutiques throughout the region.
The balance between heritage and innovation is evident in these new releases, with intricate design elements pushing the boundaries of fine watchmaking. The Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph continues its timeless journey, captivating watch enthusiasts and preserving the legacy of its visionary creator, Nicolas Rieussec.