Rattrapante, split seconds, or double chronographs are not visible every day. It is a very complicated watch that such a chronograph can measure medium times without interrupting continuous measurements of longer elapsed times. For many people, including myself, the double chronograph is one of the most fascinating complications the world of auto hollogary has to offer. One is available at Mont Blanc. This is a one-second chronograph sitting in a long, charming timeline. The Burgundy-Dial Montblanc 1858 Splitted Second Chronograph Limited Edition is a rat trapante chronograph with high-end, handmade and hand-made Minerva movements. There is a limit of 100 watches. In other words, like all works of this type, it becomes rare. Luckily, one of these rare works headed to Fratero headquarters. There, I experienced the magic of the top-end split-second chronograph.
This Montblanc 1858 split second chronograph limited edition is not the first of its kind. In 2019, the 1858 split second chronograph debuted in a limited edition of 100 bronze watches. This is an amazing material for the best watches. It was then a one-off titanium version with a blue grand feuille name dial, a watch charity auction in titanium with a blue agate dial, and a one-off titanium version with 18-piece limited edition in lime gold with green detailing. Montblanc shows the steel version with a limited run of 100 pieces and features a white gold grooved bezel and a smoky burgundy dial. This 44 x 15.2mm watch is equally impressive and charismatic. Yes, it’s big, but there’s a big percentage too. The colorway is warm, and the extra middle seconds hand of the chronograph will jump up the hearts of watch lovers.
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition: Minerva Background
Richmont, a group that Mont Blanc participates in, acquired Minerva in 2007. The Minerva brand name was first registered in 1886, but the brothers behind the brand, Charles and Hippolite Robert, began their watchmaking atelier in Minerva in 1858, in the year of the watch name. Over time, Minerva became famous for movements such as the 19-9, the caliber of the first chronograph. One of the first monopusher chronograph movements, the caliber 13.20CH, debuted, followed by some surprising moves.
What these well-acclaimed moves had in common was the high level of finish. Minerva’s movements stood out with the trademark V-shaped bridge and “Devil’s Tail,” but then they were the historic coat of arms of the brand honoring the Roman goddess of craft (such as wisdom and war). The unique V-shaped bridge is inspired by the towering mountains outside the Villett watchmaking studio.
Fast forward to the 2000s, Minerva is in the hands of the gorgeous watch conglomerate Richmont. What was the group trying to do with Minerva? Do you want to continue as a standalone brand or integrate it with Savoir Faire into one of the brands in your portfolio? Panerai was keen to absorb it, but it was Mont Blanc who was lucky. In 2007, Minerva partnered with Mont Blanc, and the Villelet facility became Minneva de Lecches en Lecches of Hort Hollogarie (Minerva High Watchmaking Institute).
Producing the Holy Grail
Mont Blanc watches with Minerva’s heart were special from the start. Our own Andreas Arlens saw the 1858 split second chronograph in 2019, and it became his Holy Grail watch and he ended up buying it. This is what he wrote about the watch:
“After Richmont bought Minerva and made it part of the brand, we learned that Mont Blanc was offering high-end chronographs with hand-washed chronographs at surprisingly fair prices. In 2019, Mont Blanc unveiled the 1858 split chronograph.
Andreas agrees that the watch is big, but when I write, “The movement of the internal M16.31 pocket watch requires these dimensions.” It’s fascinating to call the hand-wound caliber MB M16.31 the star of the show. Yes, the dial and steel cases with fine grooved white gold bezels are also watchers, but the movement is a three-dimensional microspectral. All fully decorated surfaces stand out beautifully, and knowing that Minerva produced hairsprings in-house, you can see it with a different eye. Minerva’s chronograph movement is historically renowned for its beautiful architecture and finishing touches. The movement within the new Burgundy Dial rat trapante is responsive to its reputation.
Looking at the sapphire crystal on the back, it becomes clear that Geneva stripes, cranial nerves on the base plate, rhodium-plated German silver bridges, inner angularisation, polished bevels, black polishing, circular particles, and other old school techniques applied by hand.
A dazzling 287 part MB M16.31
The new Burgundy coloured Latrapante power source sees Minerva’s rich history. The 287-part, 25 Jewel Caliber MB M16.31 pays homage to the historic pocket watch calibers of the 19-09CH and 17-29. This explains its generous 38.4mm diameter. Caliber MB M16.31 is a complex evolution of MB M16.29, as it is now characterized by an additional second mechanism. It has two column wheels for the chronograph and split second function, horizontal coupling and a power reserve of 50 hours. The large balance wheel with 18 screws and an in-house overcoil hairspring, tuned with a swan neck regulator, beating at a calming frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour.
44mm on the wrist
The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition is inspired by the 42mm Military Monopusher split second chronograph from the 1930s. The large MB M16.31 needed a slightly larger case to feel comfortable, so Mont Blanc opted for the 44mm case. Topping this steel case is a fixed finely covered 18K white gold bezel.
Yes, the watch sits prominently on my wrist, but as I’m used to wearing a round 44mm watch, a Chronoswiss smartmaster, it wasn’t too big or uncomfortable. When you wear this watch, you are completely aware that you are wearing it, but you want to fully realize what it is, that is, due to the complications of high temperatures.
I’m not the biggest fan of smoky dials, but I’m making this an exception. The glowing sunray decoration, contrasting black chronograph counters, dark burgundy colors with white luminous Arabic numerals work wonderfully. The black subdial handles the dark edges of the dial, while the fresh white details provide lightness and excellent readability.
Classic Hours, minutes, small seconds hands, white middle chronograph hands, and 30-minute chronograph counters of the same color describe as “a gorgeous instrumental.” I don’t think the Tachimeter scale (base 1000) that runs around the dial is often seen in everyday use. Still, it is a historical and functional nod to the original watch. Also place the cherry blossoms on this impressive yet charming Rattrapante cake.
Finally, the price for the Burgundy Dial Mont Blanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition
The watch comes equipped with a dark burgundy Calfskin strap with a crocodile print and a stainless steel dual deprotein clasp with a fine adjustment system. The straps feature a quick release system for swapping that is not easy to use tools, making them extremely high quality. Its colour is rich and deep, the calf leather feels soft and comfortable, showing a high level of finish. Manipulating the folding clasp is a bit (too) complicated for my preference, but I understand why Mont Blanc uses it. The watch’s pin buckle costs 60,000 euros, which is fake to many people.
And there’s the price of the latest Mont Blanc 1858 split second chronograph limited edition. Certainly, Haute Horlogerie’s split chronograph does not come with a five-digit price tag, so I purposely waited to mention the price. I’m not saying this is a slightly cheaper watch. However, the mythical Rattrapante can be placed on the achievable bucket list of more watch enthusiasts than before.
Do you have any thoughts about this Montblanc 1858 split second chronograph limited edition? Is it a grail watch material? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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