Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 "Center Seconds Return-To-Zero" Watches

Montblanc pays homage to the 150 year history of the Minerva watch manufacture with a series of extremely limited production wristwatches that present a unique return-to-zero reset feature for the center seconds hand.  Offered in two sizes, the timepieces are being made in a limited series of a single piece in platinum, 8 pieces in 18K white gold, and a final 58 examples in 18K pink gold.  This numerology pays homage to the year 1858, when Minerva was established.

The Montblanc Villeret Collection 1858 "Center Seconds Return To Zero" watches feature cases that measure either 41mm or 47mm in diameter, sapphire crystals on both sides, and solid gold dials that bear extensive hand-executed guilloche engraving.   The manually wound movements in these exclusive watches are designed, constructed and extensively decorated in the ateliers of the Institut Minerva de Recherche en Haute Horlogerie in Villeret, Switzerland.  Comprised of approximately 200 components, these calibers bear the signature of Minerva master watchmaker Demetrio Cabiddu and are distinguished by extremely refined finishing details which recall the finest in traditional 19th century haute horlogerie. 

A unique horizontal clutch mechanism, similar to that found in a chronograph, governs the unique central seconds hand, which instantly returns to the 12 o'clock position whenever the crown is withdrawn, facilitating synchronization to a time signal.  The balance wheel, which features a hairspring with a Philips curve, beats at a traditional pace of 18,000 alternations per hour.  Power reserve of these Minerva manufacture calibers ranges between 55 and 60 hours.