Limited Edition of 38 Pieces
Inspired by Minerva timepieces from the 1950s, Montblanc discovered a hidden box of original Minerva MB M62.00 calibers from 2003. Only 38 movements were discovered in the archives of the Manufacture in Villeret and they now equip the new Montblanc Heritage Small Second Limited Edition 38.
For the first time, this rare limited edition timepiece bears the name of Minerva on the dial in the form of a secret signature, which will only occur this one time, making this a true Heritage timepiece for collectors and watch aficionados.
The historical calibre MB M62.00 was inspired by the Pythagore calibre from 1948 with its very recognizable geometric shape. It was reinterpreted in 2003 with more classical shapes and high-end finishings. The MB M62.00 indicates the hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock.
The movement features a large balance wheel beating at a low traditional frequency of 18,000 vph, allowing an ample moment of inertia. The regulating organ is equipped with a double adjustment system: Firstly, it includes a hairspring positioning system with a stud that allows the watchmaker to center the hairspring by moving the entire balance system to the balance cock. Secondly, a hairspring active length regulator index system (raquette), with a swan’s neck spring bearing the Minerva arrow, is positioned on the end. The iconic Minerva arrow can also be found as an engraving on the main plate.
The view of this hand-wound mechanical movement reveals the high level of finishing that demands experience, skill and dexterity. The components, visible or not, are hand-decorated with bevelling, chamfered edges, circular graining on both sides, and grained and polished surfaces. This know-how can be admired on the rhodiumcoated, German silver main plate that features circular graining and hand-chamfered edges; on the bridges which are decorated on all sides, beveled by hand and manually-embellished with Geneva stripes, and also on the wheels which are plated with gold and have faceted arms.
Technical Specifications: Ref. 124781
The case, in stainless steel, measures 39mm x 9.45mm. It has an AR-coated domed box-shaped sapphire crystal, a sapphire display back with special “Historical Minerva Movement” engraving, and it is water resistant to 50 meters. Curved horns.
Movement is the Swiss manual-wind N.O.S. Minerva caliber MB M62.00 with 20 jewels, 18,000 vph and a power reserve of 50 hours. It features a flat hairsring and Swan’s Neck regulator for fine adjustments. Rhodium-coated German silver plate with circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges. Rhodium-coated German silver bridges with Côtes de Genève, circular graining on both sides, hand-chamfered edges. Gold-coated going-train, circular grained, chamfered, diamond hubs on both sides. Functions are: hours, minutes, and small seconds. Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500.
Domed two-toned, salmon-colored lacquered dial with grained hour ring and sunray finishes, black rhodium-coated SuperLuminova applied Arabic numerals and dots as indeces, black rhodium-coated SuperLuminova curved Dauphine hour- and minute-hands, black rhodium-coated small seconds hand, historical Montblanc logo at 12 o’clock. Railway track in blue. For the very first time, a Minerva secret signature has been added between four and five o’clock, making it a very special limited edition. A small second counter with azuré finishing is set slightly lower than the main dial to provide greater contrast.
It comes on a grey sfumato alligator leather strap from the Richemont Pelletteria in Florence, Italy with a stainless steel triple-folding clasp.
Each timepiece is entirely crafted and assembled from beginning to end by the same master watchmaker at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, making each timepiece truly unique.
