SIHH 2008: Montblanc Limited Edition Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph

PRESS RELEASE -- Dedicated to the inventor of the first "time writer"

For the premiere of its first own calibre, Montblanc has created a chronograph of historical proportions, which bears the name of the inventor of the chronograph: Nicolas Rieussec, who in 1821 developed a watch with rotating dials in which an ink marker attached to the fixed index wrote down the time. For the first time ever, this enabled him to time the finishing times of the individual horses at horse races. The invention was regarded as so ingenious that it gave the chronograph its name: "chronos" for time and "graphein" for "writing".

Rieussec's technique of two rotating discs provided the inspiration for the new Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph, and this was integrated in a unique masterpiece of chronographic watchmaking with twin barrels and a 72-hour power reserve. The fascinating chronograph movement of the artistically decorated Montblanc calibre MB R100 can be admired in detail through the sapphire crystal base of the case.

The Montblanc calibre MB R100 is a watch mechanism that is wound manually and a chronograph that is controlled by a classical column wheel with a vertical, almost wear-free disc clutch. As a result, the chronograph function can remain permanently switched on. It is striking that this calibre only has one chronograph pusher, which is set into the side of the case at 8 o'clock. An extremely rare configuration which is convenient to operate and undoubtedly gives the watch an unmistakable appearance. The first press starts the second disc, the second press stops the measured time, which can then be read from the second disc and the 30-minute counter. The third press resets the two discs to zero and prepares the watch for the next time measurement.


The uniqueness of the Montblanc Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph represents genuine Swiss watchmaking - a chronograph that is produced, assembled and set with skilled watchmaking hand craftsmanship. As collectors' items, the various models of this timepiece are strictly limited: 25 chronographs in 950 platinum, 75 chronographs in 18 carat white or yellow gold and 125 chronographs in 18 carat red gold.