
Montblanc recreates the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph with a movement in which the lever and escape wheel are fashioned from silicon. Nicolas Rieussec registered a patent for the world’s first chronograph in 1822. The first “timewriter” featured disks that turn beneath motionless hands, which has been preserved in the new watch. With a new look and a new heart, the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph makes itself state of the art, yet true to the history.
The case is crafted from 18K red gold, measuring 43mm in diameter. The dial looks really complicated. The current date is displayed via a rotating disc and a motionless hand. The chronograph’s functions incorporate a counter for 30 elapsed minutes at 4 o’clock and a counter for 60 elapsed seconds at the 7 o’clock. With pressure on the pusher in the flank of the case at 8 o’clock, you are allowed to trigger the start, stop and return-to-zero functions of the chronograph. The knurled red-gold crown bears the Montblanc emblem – a elegant white star. The sapphire case back displays the remaining power reserve on the back side of the watch.

This novelty is Montblanc’s first wristwatch with silicon components. Like CPUs for computers, certain movement components can be etched from paper-thin silicon wafers. A method called “Deep Reactive Ion Etching” provide optimal conditions for manufacturing tiny movement components, especially for crafting the silicon lever and escapement. When silicon is processed by the DRIE method, the resulting surfaces need no further processing because they’re already absolutely smooth and scratch resistant. These attributes significantly improve a watch’s rate and long-term reliability. In a watch with lever and escape wheel made of steel, the escapement alone absorbs more than 60% of the energy. As Silicon is 60% harder and 70% lighter than steel, the escapement requires significantly less energy, so more power is available to ensure the stability of the balance’s amplitude and to lengthen the power reserve.
The new watch presents the ultimate in accuracy and reliability. As a strictly limited series of 25 individually numbered pieces, the watch will be available in October, with the price at $35,000.






